From Newsgroup: uk.d-i-y

On 2026-08-05, nib wrote:

I think that tumble-dried stuff feels fluffier. My untested theory is
that the constant movement in the tumbler breaks up any tendency for anything precipitating out, such as hardness in the water, to form a
solid structure.

IME both tumble-drying and fabric softener make towels feel softer but
also make them less absorbent.
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From Newsgroup: uk.d-i-y

On 06/08/2026 15:22, Adam Funk wrote:

On 2026-08-05, nib wrote:

I think that tumble-dried stuff feels fluffier. My untested theory is
that the constant movement in the tumbler breaks up any tendency for
anything precipitating out, such as hardness in the water, to form a
solid structure.

IME both tumble-drying and fabric softener make towels feel softer but
also make them less absorbent.

Towel manufacturers tell you not to use fabric softener for that reason,
but I don't see why that should happen with tumble drying.
--
Max Demian
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From Newsgroup: uk.d-i-y

In article <hthekmxaks.ln2@news.ducksburg.com>,
Adam Funk <a24061a@ducksburg.com> wrote:

IME both tumble-drying and fabric softener make towels feel softer but
also make them less absorbent.

Since fabric softeners lubricate the fibres by coating them with oil
or silicone it's not surprising that they make them less absorbent. I
don't know why tumble-drying would though (apart from gradually
removing the material as lint).

-- Richard
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From Newsgroup: uk.d-i-y

On 2026-08-06, Richard Tobin wrote:

In article <hthekmxaks.ln2@news.ducksburg.com>,
Adam Funk <a24061a@ducksburg.com> wrote:

IME both tumble-drying and fabric softener make towels feel softer but
also make them less absorbent.

Since fabric softeners lubricate the fibres by coating them with oil
or silicone it's not surprising that they make them less absorbent. I
don't know why tumble-drying would though (apart from gradually
removing the material as lint).

It's just my personal observation about tumble-drying, although I
don't think it affects absorbency as much as fabric softener. I don't
have an explanation for it, though.
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From Newsgroup: uk.d-i-y

On Thu, 06 Aug 2026 15:22:09 +0100, Adam Funk wrote:

On 2026-08-05, nib wrote:

I think that tumble-dried stuff feels fluffier. My untested theory is
that the constant movement in the tumbler breaks up any tendency for
anything precipitating out, such as hardness in the water, to form a
solid structure.

IME both tumble-drying and fabric softener make towels feel softer but
also make them less absorbent.

Fabric softener also makes waterproof garments absorbent. Damned clever
stuff.
--
Peter.
The gods will stay away
whilst religions hold sway
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From Newsgroup: uk.d-i-y

On Fri, 07 Aug 2026 16:43:21 +0100
Adam Funk <a24061a@ducksburg.com> wrote:

On 2026-08-06, Richard Tobin wrote:

In article <hthekmxaks.ln2@news.ducksburg.com>,
Adam Funk <a24061a@ducksburg.com> wrote:

IME both tumble-drying and fabric softener make towels feel softer
but also make them less absorbent.

Since fabric softeners lubricate the fibres by coating them with oil
or silicone it's not surprising that they make them less absorbent.
I don't know why tumble-drying would though (apart from gradually
removing the material as lint).

It's just my personal observation about tumble-drying, although I
don't think it affects absorbency as much as fabric softener. I don't
have an explanation for it, though.

Look at towels when fluffy and non-fluffy with a magnifying glass.

Towels are made of bits of string which have a twisted structure. In a
fluffy towel, the string ends are unravelled, in a non-fluffy towel
they have twisted back into strings with hard ends. Fabric conditioner
helps them twist back, as does heat. Leaving towels in sunshine after
they are dry allows them to get hot and also non-fluffies them.

So the usual recommendations are: no fabric conditioner and no tumble
drying, bring them in as soon as they are dry if the sun is shining.

If you need a fluffy towel in a hurry, they can be somewhat restored by
a brisk brushing with a stiff brush. Takes a lot of energy, though.
--
Joe

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From Newsgroup: uk.d-i-y

On Fri, 7 Aug 2026 19:04:25 +0100, Joe <joe@jretrading.com> wrote:

If you need a fluffy towel in a hurry, they can be somewhat restored by
a brisk brushing with a stiff brush. Takes a lot of energy, though.

My late wife used to soften our towels by 'cracking' them like a whip.
Hold two adjacent corners, one in each hand, arms slightly apart;
raise hands fairly slowly then suddenly bring them down very sharply,
so that the towel 'cracks; like a whip. Repeat several times, then
repeat with the other end. Used to fluff up the towels very nicely.
I CBA to go to that trouble!
--

Chris
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From Newsgroup: uk.d-i-y

On 2026-08-07, PeterC wrote:

On Thu, 06 Aug 2026 15:22:09 +0100, Adam Funk wrote:

On 2026-08-05, nib wrote:

I think that tumble-dried stuff feels fluffier. My untested theory is
that the constant movement in the tumbler breaks up any tendency for
anything precipitating out, such as hardness in the water, to form a
solid structure.

IME both tumble-drying and fabric softener make towels feel softer but
also make them less absorbent.

Fabric softener also makes waterproof garments absorbent. Damned clever stuff.

IIRC, the tags on technical garments (such as Gore-Tex) usually
specify "do not use fabric softener".
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