What to do if towels become hard after washing: valuable recommendations and methods

foto9311-1Comfort in the house is created by various little things. A soft towel can continue the relaxing effect after a shower or bath.

But over time, the products lose their original appearance. There are several reasons for this.

There are simple, cost-effective ways to preserve the quality of new towels for a long time and even revive old products.

What to do if towels become hard after washing in the washing machine and why does this happen? How can I make them soft and fluffy again?

Why did the products lose their softness after being processed in the washing machine?

When buying a new towel, any housewife dreams of maintaining its softness for a long period. However, the product loses its original appearance after each wash. There are five main reasons that lead to hard towels:

  1. foto9311-2Poor quality of tap water. Unfortunately, most regions of Russia use too hard water. Calcium and magnesium salts clog fabric fibers, which negatively affects the appearance of products.
  2. Inappropriate remedy. Particles of inexpensive dry powders get stuck in the canvas, making it rougher. The longer the pile of a towel, the more detergent remains in the fabric, which makes it stiffer.
  3. Wrong mode. Each product must be washed, taking into account the properties of the fabric from which it is made. Each type of fiber has its own washing mode (manual or automatic, temperature, rinse, spin).
  4. Errors in product care. This includes violation of the rules of drying, ironing, and storing towels.
  5. Low quality fabric. Unfortunately, modern industry is designed to produce inexpensive goods that quickly become unusable.
To enjoy the softness of your towels for a long time, you need to clearly identify the cause of the hardness and eliminate it. In each case, either one provoking factor or all five are possible.

How to make them soft and fluffy and return them to their original appearance?

How to soften a towel and other clothes after washing? There are simple, cost-effective ways:

Method nameHow to use
SaltYou can use table or sea food. Salt is added to the washing machine along with the powder in the amount of 3 tbsp. l. When washing by hand, salt is used during rinsing at the rate of 1 tbsp. l per liter of water. Towels are thoroughly rinsed in the solution.
SodaRegular baking soda can also restore softness to towels. After washing, the products are soaked for 1 hour in a solution of water and soda (3 tablespoons per 1 liter). If machine washing is used, then add soda to the conditioner compartment and set the additional rinse mode.
VinegarThe product is added to the conditioner container for machine washing in the amount of 0.5 cups. For manual use, pour 150-200 ml of vinegar into the water.
Vinegar with sodaBoth products can be used simultaneously. It is permissible to pour vinegar into the air conditioner compartment, and pour soda directly into the tank.
Soaking after washingThe products are poured in cold water and kept for 12 hours.After the procedure, rinse, gently squeeze and dry. This method will help remove excess powder from the fabric.
AmmoniaYou can soak towels after washing using ammonia at the rate of 1 tsp. per liter of water. The procedure is carried out for 2–3 hours, after which the products are rinsed and dried. Ammonia gives softness and gets rid of old stains.
Rinse aidYou can prepare the product yourself or buy it ready-made. On the shelves of hardware stores there is a huge assortment of products for making linen fresh and soft. The choice is limited by taste preferences and financial capabilities. To prepare the mouthwash yourself, you need to mix half a glass of vinegar and baking soda and dilute it in 1 liter of water. If desired, add a few drops of your favorite essential oil for fragrance. All ingredients are mixed and poured into a suitable bottle. Use about 200 ml of product per wash.
Wash ballsTennis or other balls are placed in the drum of the washing machine. During washing, the balls rotate and fluff up the lint of the fabric, which allows it to remain soft.

The more reasons that cause hard towels, the more difficult it will be to make them soft. You may have to use several methods and not just once, but regularly.

To keep towels soft, you need to choose detergents without chlorine and phosphates.

How to properly wash, dry and store so that the products are pleasant to the touch?

To keep your towels soft for a long time, you must follow washing rules, drying and storage. A tag with instructions for caring for the product is attached to any product.

foto9311-3Typically, the information contains advice on the following processes:

  • washing;
  • bleaching;
  • drying;
  • spin;
  • ironing;
  • professional care.

Towels should be stored separately from other linen in a ventilated closet.

It is not recommended to place contaminated items in a common basket., because they absorb unpleasant odors from other clothes well and are then difficult to get rid of.

Features of the softening procedure depending on the material

The following main types of fabric are used to make towels:

  1. Terry. Such items should be washed and rinsed in large quantities of water. It is better to wash with liquid detergents at a temperature not exceeding 60 degrees. Spin at 400–500 rpm. Ironing is not recommended. To add softness, it is possible to use all known methods.
  2. Cotton. Universal towels. Widely used for body and kitchen needs. The products can withstand high temperatures and spinning, but shrink and become very wrinkled. Softness is returned in all the ways described above.
  3. Bamboo. These towels remain soft even after 500 washes. Wash well at 300 without using bleaches or softeners. Spin at low speed is recommended.
  4. Velours. Wash at a temperature not exceeding 40 degrees. Retains softness when gently pressed and ironed with a warm iron. Some manufacturers do not recommend ironing products.
  5. Microfiber. It is of artificial origin. Products made from this fabric are soft and pleasant to the touch. They can be washed both by hand and in the machine. Do not use bleaches, softeners, or conditioners. No ironing required.
  6. Linen. Hard to the touch. Used in the form kitchen towels for hands. White ones can be boiled, and colored ones can be washed at a temperature not exceeding 600. Iron with a well-heated iron.
Manufacturers may add a certain percentage of synthetic fibers to the main types of fabric, so recommendations for caring for products made from the same fabric differ.

Useful tips

Keep towels soft The following tips will help:

  1. foto9311-4When washing items made from long pile, you need to set the extra rinse function, which will allow you to more thoroughly remove detergent residues.
  2. Load the drum 60–70%, since a large number of items prevents thorough washing and rinsing.
  3. Do not wash at temperatures above 600. Temperatures that are too high will make the fabric rough.
  4. Choose silicone-based rinses or those designed for children's clothes. Such products provide softness to products for a long time.
  5. After washing the product, shake thoroughly and dry vertically in a well-ventilated area or in the air. Direct sunlight and drying on radiators make towels hard.
  6. Products with long pile should not be boiled.
  7. It is better not to iron or carry out the procedure with steam.
  8. It is useful to use a special laundry bag, which will protect long-pile towels from the metal drum of the washing machine.

Video on the topic

How to keep towels soft after washing, video tips:

Conclusion

There are only five main reasons why towels become hard. It is possible to return old products to their former softness using simple proven methods..

In order for towels to remain fluffy for a long time, it is necessary to comply with the requirements for washing, spinning, drying and ironing.

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