Can you tumble dry towels
Short answer: Yes, most towels can go in the tumble dryer, and many people find it makes them softer. Check the care label and choose medium heat. Towels made from bamboo viscose do best on low heat or air drying.
Why towels usually tolerate tumble drying
Classic towels are made from cotton in a heavy terry weave with lots of small loops. Cotton handles heat well, and tumbling lifts the loops so the towel feels soft and full. Air dried towels, on the other hand, often turn stiff, especially in hard water areas, because limescale settles in the fibres as the water slowly evaporates on the line or rack.
Viscose needs lower heat
Towels made wholly or partly from bamboo viscose are more delicate. Viscose can shrink and lose its sheen at high heat. Choose a low temperature in the dryer, or let the towel dry most of the way on a rack and give it just ten minutes in the dryer at the end to soften it. Always follow the care label. See home and homewear in bamboo.
Avoid over drying
Many people dry towels for too long. When they are bone dry and still sitting in the heat, the fibres wear unnecessarily and can turn rough. Use a programme with a moisture sensor that stops when the load is dry. Take the towels out straight away and fold them while they are warm so they do not crease.
Do not overfill the drum
Towels are heavy and bulky when wet. If the drum is too full, air cannot circulate and the towels dry unevenly. Some will be dry while others are still damp in the middle. It is better to dry in two batches. A dryer ball or two clean tennis balls in the drum can help keep the towels apart.
Fabric softener and absorbency
Fabric softener makes towels soft but leaves a film on the fibres that reduces absorbency. A towel that does not absorb is not much use. Skip the softener and let the dryer provide the softness. If you have hard water, an extra rinse can remove limescale and detergent residue.
Underwear does not belong in the heat
Even though towels can be tumble dried, the same is not necessarily true of underwear. The elastic in briefs and bras is worn down by heat, and it is better to let them air dry. Sort your laundry before it goes in the dryer. See bamboo panties.
When there is a sale
If you are replacing old towels or underwear anyway, it can be worth keeping an eye on what is reduced. See the sale.
Frequently asked questions
Do towels get softer in the tumble dryer
Yes, cotton towels usually come out softer than when air dried.
Can bamboo towels be tumble dried
Often on low heat, but follow the care label. Air drying is gentlest on viscose.
Why do my towels absorb poorly
Often because of fabric softener or limescale. Leave out the softener and add an extra rinse.
See our range of bamboo towels.
