‘Optimum temperature’ to wash towels on to keep them ‘soft’

If you wash your towels regularly using detergent and fabric softener, they can end up feeling rough and stiff. While some people may enjoy this, others may prefer a nice soft and fluffy towel.

Tom Drake, DIY expert at Only Radiators has shared his top laundry tips to keep towels “soft” and to avoid “crunchy” results which can often happen over time.

The expert said: “Towels can feel hard and stiff due to the build up of soap and detergent which causes a less absorbent layer on your towels. 

“You may think that a lot of fabric softener and a hot wash will keep your towels fresh, but this can actually have the opposite effect.”

Instead, Britons could use white vinegar which can help to put the softness back into their laundry.

Tom noted: “Fabric softener will coat the fibres of the towel and build up over time which causes towels to feel hard and become less absorbent.

“Soften with towels in a load of just white vinegar once every few weeks to remove the soapy residue that causes your towels to feel hard. One cup of white vinegar will be enough for this process.”

As well as avoiding fabric softener, the temperature towels are washed on will make a huge difference to how long they last.

While many people may think using a hot wash is ideal, it is recommended to check the label before sticking them in for a hot cycle.

Tom added: “You may think that hotter temperatures are better for cleaning clothes, but for towels the optimum temperature is between 30C to 40C.

“Warm water absorbs detergent better, in turn leaving less chemical child up on your towels, which makes them feel stiff. 

“Although washing your towels at higher temperatures is the most efficient way to get rid of germs, 30C or 40 C will still eliminate most of your bacteria and preserve your towel’s fibres.”

This can also be applied when washing bedding too, but always make sure to check the label to avoid damage to the garment. 

Drying towels can take a long time, especially in the winter months, resulting in many people using their tumble dryers.

However, due to the hot heat within the appliance, they may end up turning stiff and crunchy, according to the expert.

He continued: “Line drying is the most environmentally friendly way to dry towels, so if you’re drying them this way, you should shake the towels once they’ve dried to fluff them up.”