Why fabric softener ruins absorbency
Short answer: The layer that softener leaves on the fibre keeps water out. The fabric can no longer take water in, so a towel pushes water around instead of absorbing it. It is a side effect of the very idea of the product, which is to make the surface smooth.
Water cannot pass through fat
The film is made of substances that repel water. That is exactly the property that makes the fabric smooth and soft to touch. But what makes the surface feel clean and soft also stops water from entering the fibre. Water and fat do not mix, and that goes for clothes washed again and again too.
Towels are hit hardest
A towel has one job, and that is to absorb. Hit by a layer that repels water, it loses its most important property. The water stays on the surface and is spread on your skin instead. It feels like a towel that does not dry. See bamboo nightgowns for women for clothes worn close to the skin.
Sportswear suffers too
Fabrics meant to move sweat away from the skin lose their effect in the same way. When the fibres are covered by a layer, moisture is not drawn in and passed on, and the clothes feel clammy sooner. This applies to all clothing where moisture handling matters, not only sportswear. So softener is best avoided there.
Bedding can be affected too
Bedding can be affected too, because it lies against the skin for many hours every night. A layer on the fabric changes how moisture from the skin is handled. See bamboo envelope sheets and bamboo fitted sheets for sheets that are washed often and lie against the skin all night.
How to test absorbency
You can test absorbency yourself. Pour a tablespoon of water on the towel. If it soaks in at once, all is as it should be. If the water beads up or sits on top for a few seconds, there is probably a layer on the fabric. The test takes a moment and needs only water and a towel.
The layer shows up later
The layer is not always noticeable at once. It builds up over many washes, so a towel can seem fine at first and gradually get worse at absorbing. Many notice only when the towel feels as if it just moves water around. That is a typical link to softener used at every wash.
How absorbency comes back
Absorbency can usually come back. Wash the items a few times without softener, and with a little vinegar in the rinse water if your machine tolerates it. Use a suitable amount of detergent so no residue is left. A few washes without softener usually make a clear difference, but how long it takes depends on how thick the layer has become.
What may get softener
Items where absorbency does not matter may get softener if you like the feel. That applies to clothes that do not need to take up moisture. Decide for yourself what matters most, but keep towels and clothes close to the skin free of it. Use no more than the pack says, and not at every wash.
Habits that keep absorbency
A few habits keep absorbency. Wash towels without softener, use the right amount of detergent, and let the laundry rinse well. Dry in the air when possible, and shake items out before hanging them up. Always read the care label, since the maker's advice is what counts for each item.
Frequently asked questions
Which items may get softener?
Items where absorbency does not matter, if you like the feel. Keep towels and clothes close to the skin free of it so they keep their ability to take up moisture, and use only a small amount.
How do I test a towel?
Pour a tablespoon of water on it. If the water beads up, there is a layer on the fabric. If it soaks in at once, the towel works as it should and you can keep your current routine.
How long does it take to get absorbency back?
A few washes without softener usually make a clear difference. How many are needed depends on how thick the layer has become, so wash a few times and then test the towel again with water.
You can find the full range at Bamboo-Clothing.com.
