General Discussion

Tree-Hugger

(3,379 posts)

27. This is true

Wed Jan 1, 2014, 11:52 AM

Jan 2014

I use cloth diapers for my babies and most brands caution against using fabric softener (it also voids some warranties ) as it will interfere with the absorbency of the material. I believe fabric softener leaves a residue on fabrics. Nasty stuff, anyway.

If you want softer fabrics, you can use a splash of white vinegar in the rinse cycle of your wash. The smell does not remain. Or you can use wool dryer balls in the dryer. I have done both and they work well.

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Nice, thick new towels--but they don't dry you off. [View all] raccoon Jan 2014 OP

This is a GD topic? Towels? n-t Logical Jan 2014 #1

Well... It could be an NSA conspiracy Glassunion Jan 2014 #2

There are chips in those towels treestar Jan 2014 #54

Those towels are manufactured by a holding company that controls a dozen shell corporations Ikonoklast Jan 2014 #74

Well, if I put it in the Lounge, I don't have as much chance of getting a serious answer. nt raccoon Jan 2014 #4

ur serious?............ Adam051188 Jan 2014 #12

There's a forum called Household Hints & Help A Little Weird Jan 2014 #45

Didn't know about that group. Just subscribed to it. Kaleva Jan 2014 #49

I never use fabric softener for towels. enlightenment Jan 2014 #56

I don't either A Little Weird Jan 2014 #59

Vinegar works just as well. enlightenment Jan 2014 #84

We are too busy dealing with the latest military incursions to deal with your towel problems. rug Jan 2014 #50

SOP for GD includes "issues" dipsydoodle Jan 2014 #16

They were made in....BENGHAZI!!!!!! Katashi_itto Jan 2014 #52

OK, makes sense now! (good one!) nt Logical Jan 2014 #55

:) Katashi_itto Jan 2014 #57

So few seem to be getting the point! treestar Jan 2014 #61

Are you talking about Benghazi�s on third? busterbrown Jan 2014 #67

:) Katashi_itto Jan 2014 #81

Sounds pretty general to me lame54 Jan 2014 #69

the next occupy movement is born..... Adam051188 Jan 2014 #3

All new towels need to be thoroughly MineralMan Jan 2014 #5

But no fabric softener. MH1 Jan 2014 #21

That's true. I don't use that stuff for anything. MineralMan Jan 2014 #22

Yep.. no1uno Jan 2014 #31

You can fix that washboard effect by tossing them in the dryer for five minutes. Gormy Cuss Jan 2014 #35

Yes, that's correct. MH1 Jan 2014 #38

NNOOOO!!!! Kali Jan 2014 #62

new towels need to be runthrough the wash and dryer elehhhhna Jan 2014 #6

yep, here; elehhhhna Jan 2014 #8

Baking soda will also remove stiffness from new jeans. pintobean Jan 2014 #65

When I can get by with it I leave the dryer sheets out too madokie Jan 2014 #11

If you don't use a detergent with phosphates BlueToTheBone Jan 2014 #15

Thank you for the tip madokie Jan 2014 #20

I use Mrs. Meyers concentrate BlueToTheBone Jan 2014 #28

Thank you, I'll be looking for that for sure. madokie Jan 2014 #37

I so agree! BlueToTheBone Jan 2014 #44

Happy New Year to you madokie Jan 2014 #48

This is true Tree-Hugger Jan 2014 #27

Just like the soft toilet paper my daughter buys...seems to coat you with lotion DebJ Jan 2014 #33

Yes! Tree-Hugger Jan 2014 #34

Thanks, I'll look for some madokie Jan 2014 #36

I've encountered those in hotels. They look luxurious, but don't soak up a drop. onehandle Jan 2014 #7

New towels are like new hankies. dipsydoodle Jan 2014 #9

I encountered some towels in the '70s & '80s Cirque du So-What Jan 2014 #10

yes 100% cotton and prewashed lunasun Jan 2014 #58

Make sure they are not polyester NV Whino Jan 2014 #13

sadly part of the problem is that there is more of me to dry dembotoz Jan 2014 #14

I took a towel from a Holiday Inn in 1993 DefenseLawyer Jan 2014 #17

I hate soft, fluffy towels. Towels should be a little rough, for the best drying. TwilightGardener Jan 2014 #18

YES!!! Kali Jan 2014 #63

You are supposed to use the underwear you had on fist snooper2 Jan 2014 #19

^^^^ This works. I can attest. postulater Jan 2014 #46

I think the problem is gollygee Jan 2014 #23

Probably fabric softener intaglio Jan 2014 #24

The cotton is just not the same anymore. xulamaude Jan 2014 #25

I agree this is not a topic for main Discussion Topics, BUT....... northoftheborder Jan 2014 #26

They need to be washed thoroughly before they are used. The Velveteen Ocelot Jan 2014 #29

KIDS! YOU KIDS! KIDS! alcibiades_mystery Jan 2014 #30

That's why lillypaddle Jan 2014 #32

never use terrycloth on your hair Viva_La_Revolution Jan 2014 #66

Thannks for the hint lillypaddle Jan 2014 #70

Are they called microplush? I bought roody Jan 2014 #39

Perhaps that is the intent. Motown_Johnny Jan 2014 #40

Wash and dry the towels at least twice before first use. RC Jan 2014 #41

THANKS OBAMA! Ikonoklast Jan 2014 #76

Wash in hot hot water with a vinegar rinse. MADem Jan 2014 #42

you must be a cool and froody dude... you know where your towel is! - n/t lapfog_1 Jan 2014 #43

Everything everyone has already said laundry_queen Jan 2014 #47

same with bedsheets shanti Jan 2014 #73

You know, it's probably very pricey laundry_queen Jan 2014 #82

Microfiber, not cotton marybourg Jan 2014 #51

Benghaziiiiii!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! treestar Jan 2014 #53

I'm sure Obamacare brought this change around Thav Jan 2014 #60

This story just doesn't hold water!!!!!!! Historic NY Jan 2014 #64

It is dripping with inaccuracy!! treestar Jan 2014 #79

Genetically engineered cotton.... zentrum Jan 2014 #68

Get a tattoo.... Spitfire of ATJ Jan 2014 #71

As others have said, fabric softener is a no-no on towels The Second Stone Jan 2014 #72

Are the towells made by Haliburton? milestogo Jan 2014 #75

Wash them... Iggo Jan 2014 #77

Towels: the one thing that dries the wetter it gets. Vashta Nerada Jan 2014 #78

Don't use fabric softener on towels, use vinegar instead. n/t tammywammy Jan 2014 #80

I like thin, light and absorbant towels. Whisp Jan 2014 #83