Stiff towels and what to do about them
Short answer: Towels turn stiff because of limescale and detergent residue that does not rinse out. The fix is to dose according to your water hardness, skip fabric softener and give each towel a firm shake before it goes up to dry.
Why towels turn stiff
A towel is made of small loops that should stand up and soak up water. When those loops stick together from limescale or detergent residue, the surface becomes hard and rough. It happens slowly over many washes, so most people only notice once the towel already feels like cardboard after drying.
Limescale in the water
In areas with hard water, limescale settles on the fibres with every wash and makes the terry stiff. Many people respond by using more detergent, but that rarely helps. Find out how hard the water is where you live and dose accordingly. Your water supplier usually lists the hardness on its website.
Too much detergent
Excess detergent does not rinse fully out in the machine. It stays in the loops as a thin film that makes the fabric hard and less absorbent at the same time. Follow the dosage on the pack and choose slightly too little over too much. If towels are already stiff, an extra rinse can help.
Shake them out
Give each towel a few firm shakes as soon as it comes out of the machine. This lifts the loops that the spin cycle pressed flat and makes the fabric noticeably softer once it is dry. It takes only a few seconds per towel, yet it is one of the habits that matters most.
Skip fabric softener
Fabric softener makes the surface feel soft at first, but it coats the fibres and closes the loops. The towel then absorbs less, and after many washes it can actually end up feeling stiffer. It is better to get softness from correct dosing and air. Read more in how to wash bamboo towels.
Dry in the air
Wind and moving air around the towel do more for softness than heat. Hang towels spread out on a line or drying rack where air can reach both sides. Avoid folding them double over a radiator, because dry heat without airflow often gives the stiffest surface of all drying methods.
The material matters too
Bamboo viscose feels smoother than classic cotton terry, because the fibre itself is smooth. That does not make it immune to limescale and detergent, but many find it keeps a softer feel for longer when cared for properly. You can browse the range of bamboo towels and compare the sizes.
More about limescale and washing
Limescale affects not only towels but everything washed in hard water. The same principles therefore apply to bedding, underwear and T-shirts: dose for your water, skip the softener and let things dry in the air. You will find all the rules gathered in the washing guide.
New towels
New towels can feel slightly stiff for the first few washes, because residue from production is still in the fabric. It disappears on its own as the towel is washed and used. It is a good idea to wash them once before first use. See other items for the home in home and homewear in bamboo.
When nothing helps
If a towel has become very stiff over a long time, try washing it once with half the dose and an extra rinse. Then shake it well and dry it in the air. Often some of the softness returns. If it does not, the loops are probably worn and the towel has reached the end.
Frequently asked questions
Why are my towels stiff?
Usually because of limescale in the water or too much detergent left in the loops. Drying on a radiator without air around it tends to make the stiffness worse over time.
Does fabric softener help with stiff towels?
Only briefly. Softener closes the loops so the towel absorbs less, and after many washes it can feel stiffer than before. Correct dosing works better in the long run.
Are new towels stiff?
They can be slightly stiff for the first few washes because of residue from production. It disappears on its own once the towel has been washed and used a few times.
See our range of bamboo towels.
