Bamboo towels and why they lose their absorbency
Short answer: A towel that does not absorb has developed a film on its fibres. Fabric softener is the most common cause, and too much detergent is the second.
What happens to the fibres
A towel absorbs because water gets in between the fibres and is held there. If a film forms on the outside of the fibres, the water cannot get in. It slides across the surface instead, and you feel you are spreading the water around rather than drying off. The fabric is the same, but the surface has changed.
Fabric softener is the main cause
The softening agents in fabric softener form a water repellent film on the fibres. The towel feels soft but pushes water away instead of absorbing it. The more washes with softener, the thicker the film becomes. That is why towels should never be washed with softener. Read more about washing and care.
How to restore absorbency
Wash the towels twice without detergent, ideally with a cup of vinegar in the first round. The vinegar helps loosen the film, and the second wash rinses out what is left. Hang them up afterwards and feel the difference. Absorbency is often back after the first round. See bamboo towels.
Use less detergent
Excess soap is not rinsed out and forms the same kind of film as softener. Halve the dose and see if it helps. Towels are rarely very dirty, so they need less detergent than you might think. Choose an extra rinse if your machine has one, so the residue comes out completely.
Hang them unfolded
A towel hung folded double never dries completely, and that is the other common complaint. A damp towel starts to smell and feels heavy, even when absorbency is fine. Hang it unfolded over a rail so air can reach both sides. See home and homewear in bamboo.
Do not wash with clothes
Lint from terry cloth settles on clothes, and fibres from clothes settle in the terry. Clothes are also often washed with softener, which then reaches the towels too. Wash towels on their own, and keep them apart from bed linen if that is washed with other products. See bamboo bedding.
Avoid too much heat in the dryer
If the towels can be tumble dried, use moderate heat and take them out once they are dry. Long periods at high heat make the fibres stiff and rough. A towel dried too hard feels harsh against the skin. Always check the care label before using a tumble dryer.
Test the absorbency
If you are unsure whether a towel has a film, drip a little water on it. If the water soaks in straight away, it is fine. If the drops stay on the surface, there is a film, and it is time for a wash without detergent. It is a quick test that can save you buying new towels.
In short
A towel that does not absorb almost always has a film from softener or too much detergent. Drop the softener completely, halve the detergent and wash twice without soap when absorbency drops. Hang towels unfolded and wash them on their own. That way they stay absorbent for a long time.
Frequently asked questions
Why do my towels not absorb water?
They have a film on the fibres, almost always from fabric softener or too much detergent. The film pushes water away instead of letting it soak in.
Can absorbency come back?
Yes. Wash twice without detergent, ideally with a little vinegar in the first round. You often notice the difference after the first wash.
Why do towels smell?
Because they do not dry completely between uses. Hang them unfolded over a rail so air can reach both sides.
See our range of bamboo towels.
