How To Keep Towels Soft: Expert Tips

Learning how to keep towels soft is an important part of making them stand the test of time so they feel just as luxurious as when they were brand new. 

Whether you’re treating yourself to a long, hot soak or wrapping yourself up after a speedy shower, our experts are on hand to share top tips for keeping towels soft and fluffy - even after countless wash cycles.

Browse Christy’s range of bath towels for thick and fluffy towels that stay soft after every wash.

How to keep towels soft and fluffy: 8 tips from Christy’s towel experts

At Christy, we’ve been creating the softest towels for your household for over 170 years. The following expert tips will help you keep your towels luxurious for longer, so you can indulge in spa-like quality time and time again.

1. Shake out your towels before washing

Shaking your towels before putting them into the washing machine is a simple yet important step in keeping them soft. This action opens up the fibres of your towels, allowing detergent to get inside every pore. 

Our experts also recommend shaking your towels a second time when the drying cycle has come to an end or before you hang them up outside on the line. This will help loosen the fibres of your towels so you can enjoy maximum softness the next time you wrap yourself up.

2. Avoid hard water if you can

Hard water contains a number of minerals that attach themselves to our towels and cause even the thickest of towels to lose their softness and go stiff. If you can, avoiding hard water will go a long way in keeping your towels fluffy and fresh.

You can check the softness of your water by entering your postcode online. If you do find that you’re living in a hard water area, we recommend using a water softener in your washing machine. This will help your towels feel smooth against your skin, no matter how many wash cycles they go through.

3. Avoid fabric softener

While many believe the more fabric softener you use, the softer your towels will be, fabric softeners or even an excess of detergent can actually have the opposite effect. Softeners work by coating the fibres, which can lead to buildup over time and reduced absorbency.

For superior softness, a less is more approach is recommended. Consider using half the amount of detergent, and replace fabric softeners with white vinegar approximately every six weeks for heavy rotation towels. This will help to remove excess soapy residue and roughness while restoring absorbency. Simply wash your towels as usual, then add a cup of white vinegar to your wash on a follow-up cycle.     

4. Wash your towels separately

Another expert tip when learning how to wash towels to keep them soft is to wash your towels separately from your main and other bathroom laundry, like bath mats. A separate wash can prevent any colour or fibres from transferring onto your fluffy and immaculate towels.  

In the same vein, you should avoid washing any new towels with those you already own. The colour on seasoned towels that have been through many wash cycles will likely run less than those you have just bought. By separating old and new, you can prevent the transfer of colour between fabrics.

5. Pay attention to the label

The material of the towel greatly affects how it should be washed to stay noticeably softer and smoother. Make sure to check the label on your towel before putting it into the machine to find the optimum wash temperature for that specific fabric. 

Following these laundry symbols can help you keep your towels not just super absorbent but also pillowy soft, so you know the fluffiest towel will always be waiting for you on the towel rail. 

6. Don’t overload the washing machine

Taking care not to overload the washing machine is another simple but important step in how to wash towels to keep them soft. Not overloading gives your towels room to circulate within the drum so they can be rinsed properly and then fluffed up to a spa-like softness. 

Washing too many towels at once will lead to a heap of clumped-together fabrics and unwanted moisture pockets that can cause your towels to become scratchy and stiff.

7. Take care when tumble drying

Even the most durable luxury towels can be subject to over-drying through the tumble dryer. While tumble drying is great for increasing the softness of your towels, over-drying is one of the main causes of sandpaper stiffness. 

For the smoothest of towels, our experts recommend switching between tumble drying and line drying your towels. This can prevent the fabric of your towels from wearing down over time, so they stay as fluffy as their first use. 

8. Store your towels with care

The final step in learning how to keep towels soft and fluffy is knowing how to store them correctly. This guarantees that whatever towel you take from the cupboard will be as plush as you deserve for after a well-earned soak.

Rather than stacking your towels on top of each other, it’s recommended to neatly fold them side by side. This will prevent any bottom towels from being subject to a crush and losing their plushness as a result. 

How can I keep my towels soft without a tumble dryer?

You don’t necessarily need a tumble dryer to keep your towels soft. By drying your towels on a clothes horse next to a heater, you can also keep them at their fluffiest. 

In the warmer months or on a particularly windy day, drying your towels on the line is key to keeping them smooth. The strong wind will move the fibres in a similar way to a tumble dryer and make your towels feel brand-new as a result. To avoid a line dry stiffness, try and position your towels in a shady spot on the line to dry. 

When you can, avoid drying your towels on top of the radiator as this can cause you to overdry your towels and leave them stiff.

Choose Christy for quality towels that stay sumptuously soft

Beyond all, the easiest way to keep your towels soft is to buy quality towels in the first place, and as ‘inventors’ of the fluffy towel, that’s what we are known for.

We’re committed to delivering high-quality towels that provide absorbency, durability - and that unbeatable luxuriousness you can only find in a Christy towel. It’s why our sumptuously soft towels have been loved by customers for 175 years.

Ready to turn your bathroom into a spa-like sanctuary? Explore Christy's indulgent bathroom selection of bath towels and bath mats today.