Yes, using fabric softener and/or dryer sheets causes a waxy build-up on your cotton towels. This makes them less absorbent and, over time, attracts a buildup (see below for guidance on how to restore and revive dingy, smelly towels).
Long story short: Fabric softeners and dryer sheets reduce a towel's ability to absorb water. An alternative option is to add one cup of distilled white vinegar to your load of towels, which softens fabrics. However, never add bleach and vinegar to the same load, creating toxic chlorine gas.
“The ingredients of the dryer sheets will coat the fibers, and water will bead off of them, making them non-absorbent,” cleaning expert Jill Koch says.
The cause: Using liquid fabric softener, which is oil- and petroleum-based and leaves a slick coating on towel fibers, making them less absorbent.
Over time, even the highest quality terry towel can develop a musty smell, lose absorbency, and appear dingy. This is to be expected with regular use and is typically caused by the effects of hard water and detergent build-up.
Hotels typically use towels made from 100% cotton, which is highly absorbent and quick-drying. Additionally, they follow strict laundering practices, such as using the right amount of detergent and avoiding fabric softeners that can leave a residue, ensuring the towels remain absorbent.
As mentioned, dryer sheets can lead to residue buildup in the interior and vents of your dryer over time, which may pose issues like: Reduced airflow and ventilation. Overheating. Longer drying times.
Generally, they should be dried on low to medium heat. Use a dryer setting specifically for towels or a normal/regular cycle. High heat and overdrying can cause fabric damage, so be sure to remove the towels promptly once they're dry.
Distilled White Vinegar Rinse
Adding one cup of distilled white vinegar to the final rinse cycle can give your clothes and linens the softness you desire without using dryer sheets. The mild acetic acid in the vinegar cuts through any detergent residue left in the fibers that makes the fabric feel scratchy.
No, you shouldn't dry sheets and towels at the same time. Even if you want to throw them in the wash together, they'll finish drying at different times, and you'll be left with wet towels and dry sheets. Towels can also make sheets take longer to dry or prevent them from thoroughly drying.
Wool dryer balls are made of all-natural products, last longer than dryer sheets, and are compostable when they're no longer being used in your laundry routine. They cut down on the amount of electricity you'll be using and don't contain harmful additives or single-use packaging.
Buy good-quality towels made of pure cotton. Don't overuse laundry detergent during the wash, as it can lead to crunchy towels. Luckily, this can't happen if you're using All-in-1 PODs. Use a fabric softener like Lenor in your dispenser drawer, which will act as a lubricant and help your towels to stay soft.
Like fabric softener, dryer sheets contain oils that can coat towel fibers and destroy their absorbency. So, don't use them when drying your towels.
After the lint trap has been emptied, you can place your microfiber towels inside the dryer separately from garments made with natural fibers as they tend to shed. Avoid adding dryer sheets and using high heat settings to dry microfiber towels as this may damage the fibers.
Dryer sheets aren't just a waste of money, they're wasteful, too. “They're litter,” said Harrington, noting they can't be reused and don't decompose easily. “When you consider that many people use at least one dryer sheet — and sometimes much more — that's a lot of trash.”
Towel hooks can also be a cheaper, less permanent option since there are so many options out there for towel hooks that just slip over the top of your bathroom door. However, when it comes to their drying-abilities, they don't dry towels as adequately as towel bars.
What is the best detergent to wash towels? Heritage Park All-Purpose Laundry Detergent is a great choice for washing towels. It is a pH-neutral, plant-based, detergent that uses a proprietary enzyme blend to remove dirt, stains and odors without damaging fabric.
Don't use too much detergent. Too much can leave behind residue that compromises absorbency. Limit bleach use because it may weaken fibers and reduce absorbency over time. Dry towels on lower heat settings to prevent damage to the fibers.
Dryer Sheets Cons
Dryer sheets may reduce the absorbency of towels. Sheets are thrown away after each use, producing more waste than dryer balls.
Dryer sheets work well for most everyday items made of natural fibers, such as cotton shirts, pants and socks, but it's best to avoid using dryer sheets on athleticwear & microfiber, towels, flame-resistant clothing and water-repellent fabric.
If you are looking for extra, extra fluffiness and buoyancy, try washing with baking soda and detergent first, followed by washing with white vinegar.
Light from the hallway, which often remains on throughout the night in hotels, and the sounds of footsteps and conversations from people walking in the hallway can penetrate through the gap under the door. The towel effectively covers this gap and muffles sound and light, improving sleep comfort.