How to make towels more absorbent: 10 simple hacks
|There’s nothing worse than reaching for a towel after a shower only to find that it’s not very absorbent. If your towels are leaving you feeling damp and frustrated, don’t despair – there are several things you can do to make them more absorbent. With just a little bit of care and attention, you can bring your towels back to their original, super-absorbent state.
Here are 10 simple hacks to make your towels more absorbent:
1. Wash your towels with vinegar
If your towels are starting to lose their absorbency, one of the best things you can do is wash them with vinegar. Vinegar is a natural fabric softener and will help to restore your towels’ absorbency. Simply add half a cup of vinegar to your washing machine along with your regular detergent. Wash your towels on a warm or hot cycle, and then dry them as usual.
2. Don’t use fabric softener
While fabric softener might make your towels smell nice, it can actually diminish their absorbency. Fabric softeners coat towels with a waxy build-up that prevents them from soaking up water. If you want your towels to be as absorbent as possible, skip the fabric softener and opt for vinegar instead.
3. Wash your towels in hot water
Hot water is a key for helping towels retain their absorbency. When towels are washed in cold or warm water, the fibers can become damaged and matted down, making them less absorbent. Always wash your towels in hot water to keep them looking and feeling their best.
4. Avoid overloading your washing machine
Overloading your washing machine can also damage towel fibers, making them less absorbent. When towels are packed into a too-full washing machine, they don’t have enough space to move around and get clean. This can lead to towels coming out of the wash dirtier than when they went in, and can also cause them to lose absorbency. To avoid overloading your machine, make sure to follow the manufacturer’s instructions for maximum load capacity.
5. Don’t use bleach
While bleach is great for getting rid of stains, it’s not so good for towels. Bleach is a harsh chemical that can damage towel fibers, making them less absorbent. If you want your towels to stay soft and absorbent, skip the bleach and opt for vinegar or baking soda instead.
6. Hang your towels to dry
Hanging your towels to dry is the best way to preserve their absorbency. When towels are left in the dryer for too long, the heat can damage the fibers and make them less absorbent. If possible, hang your towels to dry on a clothesline or drying rack. If you must use your dryer, be sure to remove the towels as soon as they’re done so they don’t over-dry.
7. Don’t use fabric softener sheets
Like liquid fabric softener, fabric softener sheets can also leave a waxy build-up on towels that prevent them from soaking up water. To keep your towels absorbent, skip the fabric softener sheets and opt for vinegar or baking soda instead.
8. Wash your towels separately
Washing your towels with other items can diminish their absorbency. The lint from other items can build up on towels and prevent them from soaking up water. To keep your towels absorbent, wash them separately from other items in your laundry.
9. Don’t use too much detergent
Using too much detergent can also damage towel fibers and make them less absorbent. When towels are overloaded with detergent, the suds can become trapped in the fibers and cause them to mat down. This can make it difficult for towels to fully rinse clean, and can also leave behind a soapy residue that diminishes absorbency. To avoid this problem, only use the amount of detergent recommended by the manufacturer.
10. Fluff your towels after washing
After washing your towels, be sure to fluff them before you put them in the dryer. This will help to restore their absorbency and prevent them from matting down. To fluff your towels, simply shake them out or run them through the spin cycle of your washing machine a few times. Then, dry them as usual.
Conclusion:
By following these tips, you can help keep your towels absorbent and looking their best. Remember to wash them in hot water, avoid using bleach or fabric softener, and hang them to dry when possible. If you must use your dryer, be sure to remove the towels as soon as they’re done so they don’t over-dry. And always wash your towels separately from other items in your laundry.