How to Get Soft Towels Using a Front-loader Washing Machine

Soft, fluffy towels are a pleasure to use after shower or bath. time.

There's nothing like wrapping yourself up in a soft towel after bath or shower time. Fluffy, soft towels aren't only achieved through buying expensive brands and high thread counts. Your towels can become even softer by using the right supplies and techniques throughout the laundering process. Although fabric softeners add softness and a pleasant fragrance to your bath towels, the buildup caused by the softener can have just the opposite effect. You can get the towels clean, soft and fluffy in your front-loading washing machine with supplies found readily around the home.

Things You'll Need

• Laundry detergent
• 1/2 cup baking soda
• 1 cup white vinegar
• Clean tennis balls

Instructions

1. Fill the washing machine with hot water. Add laundry detergent and 1/2 cup of baking soda to the wash water to clean and freshen the towels.

2. 

   White vinegar softens and freshens towel fibers.

   Pour 1 cup of white vinegar into the fabric softener dispenser, in place of fabric softener, to fluff the fibers, remove static and remove any remaining buildup from fabric softener.

3. Launder your towels in the washing machine on a full cycle. Remove them promptly when the full cycle is over.

4. 

   Tennis balls effectively fluff comforters, towels and other bulky items.

   Place your towels in the dryer. Add three or four unused tennis balls to fluff the fibers as the towels tumble dry.

Tips & Warnings

• Instead of drying your towels in the dryer, you can give them a few vigorous shakes to fluff the fibers, then dry the towels outdoors on a clothesline.

• Use white vinegar in the washing machine regularly to keep your front loader from getting moldy. Prop the door open after each cycle to allow the inside to dry completely.

References

• Long Island Families: Luxurious Laundry -- Tricks of the Trade for Keeping Towels and Sheets Soft and Fluffy
• Reader's Digest: 150+ Household Uses for Vinegar
• Reader's Digest: 8 Ways to Boost Laundry Detergent
• Environmental Law Centre: The Five Basics for Non-Toxic Cleaning

Resources

• New Mexico State University: Getting Clothes Clean