Why a towel loses its absorbency
Short answer: Because residue from softener and limescale settles on the fibre and closes the surface. Water then cannot enter, and the towel pushes water around instead of taking it up. It can often be improved by a simple change in washing habits.
Softener lays down a coating
Softener puts a thin film on the fibres to make them soft. That film is exactly what keeps water out, since water cannot pass through a layer that repels it. The towel feels soft but absorbs worse, and the effect grows the more often you use the product. That is why many find their towels keep getting worse.
Limescale does the same
In hard water, limescale settles in the fibres and makes them stiff and less absorbent. The scale closes the small gaps where water would otherwise enter. If you live in a hard water area, you often see it as a stiffness in the towel that grows stronger over time. See bamboo towels.
Too much detergent
Many people use more detergent than needed, and the rest stays in the fabric because the rinse does not carry it all away. Detergent residue builds a layer on the fibres, just as softener does. Follow the dose on the pack, and use a little less if you are washing a small load.
It can partly be washed out
A wash without softener, perhaps with a little vinegar in the rinse water, removes part of the layer. Run the towels through at a suitable temperature and let them dry fully. It can take several washes before you notice a clear improvement, and sometimes absorbency does not fully return. See all bamboo clothing for women and Nordic Weaving.
New towels are not always good
New towels often carry a factory treatment that makes them smooth and pleasant to touch. It can also repel water. The treatment usually disappears after a few washes, and then the towel absorbs better. So wash a new towel a few times before you judge how well it absorbs.
An overfull machine rinses poorly
If the drum is full to the top, water cannot rinse properly through the laundry. Detergent residue stays put, and the towels turn stiff. Fill the machine to about three quarters so the laundry can move freely, and choose an extra rinse if you like. That gives cleaner fibres and a towel that takes up water more easily.
Drying matters
Hang the towels so they dry fully and quickly, since damp towels lying in a heap get a musty smell. A tumble makes them softer, but does not solve the problem with the film. If you use the dryer, choose low heat and skip softener, so the fibres get a chance to take up water.
How to keep absorbency
Skip softener, dose the detergent by the pack and do not overfill the machine. Wash towels on their own, so lint from other laundry does not cling to them. It is the simplest routine, and it asks only that you change a few habits you already have.
Frequently asked questions
Should I avoid softener for towels completely
Yes. It is the simplest way to keep absorbency, because softener leaves a film on the fibres that keeps water out and makes the towel less effective.
Why are new towels not good either
Because they often carry a factory treatment that makes them smooth and repels water. It usually disappears after a few washes, and then they absorb better.
Does it help to tumble them
It makes them softer, but does not solve the problem with the film on the fibres. Combine a wash without softener with drying that gives the towel air to dry fully.
