Q&A for How to Make New Towels More Absorbent

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What can I use to replace fabric softener?

Community Answer

Put two rubber dryer balls (old tennis balls work, too––just make sure they're clean!) in the machine with the towels when drying them. This will help to fluff up the towels and they will then be more absorbent.

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Question

How do we recondition a slippery bathing towel into the scratchy towel it was before?

Community Answer

Try line-drying it in the sunshine and fresh air rather than in a tumble dryer. The slipperiness is probably a result of too much fabric softener, so once it's been washed a few times without this it should regain its absorbent qualities.

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Question

Do I use soap when I wash the towels?

Community Answer

Yes, as you want your towels to still smell fresh without that sandy smell.

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Question

How can I make my kitchen towels soft and absorbent again?

Community Answer

Use very little detergent and no fabric softener when washing your towels; this will help soften them. You can also add 1/2 cup of baking soda to your laundry which can help soften the fibers as well.

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Question

Does the order of the cycle matter? Can we reverse it (baking soda first, then vinegar)?

Community Answer

No. Vinegar is acidic on the pH scale, the acidity of the vinegar is what "eats" the residual deposits left behind by detergents and fabric softeners. The baking soda then neutralizes the increased pH level. It will also brighten your whites and colors!

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Question

Can I soak towels in vinegar and baking soda?

Community Answer

Yes, you can.

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Question

Is it safe to wash new towels in hot or warm water if the label says to wash them in cold water?

Community Answer

Follow the label for best care of your towels. They will just degrade quicker using hot water.

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Question

Can the vinegar and baking soda method be used in an HE washing machine?

Community Answer

Yes, but if you have smaller loads, you might want to reduce the vinegar and baking soda proportionately.

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Question

Won't vinegar harm the inside working parts of my washing machine? I get that it's diluted, but I'm still concerned about damage. I have a Samsung toploader.

Community Answer

I've been using vinegar as a fabric softener in almost every load for several years with no ill effects to the washer.

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Question

Where do I put the vinegar and the baking soda if I have a front load machine? In the detergent space or in the softener space?

Community Answer

The detergent space, because it is acting in place of detergent to get the towels very clean by removing build-up and oily residue.

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