Does Fabric Softener Ruin Beach Towels?

Fabric softeners are meant to condition the clothing but does a fabric softener ruin your beach towels? I have answered this question clearly here to help you with beach towel care.

Can Fabric Softener damage the Beach towel?

It has been observed that the frequent and excessive use of fabric softeners or fabric softener sheets can damage your beach towels.

Fabric softeners as their name depict are used to keep your laundry soft, fresh, well-shaped, and static-free. Also, restore their original colors.

They are usually applied during the rinse cycle while washing your laundry in a washing machine. However, this rule doesn’t apply to beach towels.

Why does Fabric Softener damage Beach Towels?

First, it’s important to know that silicone oil is used in making a fabric softener. Adding a fabric softener during the rinse cycle, silicone oil clings to the fibers of your beach towel.

The trapped oil in towel fibers makes them greasy, slippery, water-repellent, and less absorbent. Making the towel water repellent, that’s the reason, they won’t get a good wash.

Finally, the main purpose of a beach towel is its “absorbency”, the fabric softener wrecks your beach towels by making them less absorbent.

Is it good to completely avoid Fabric Softener?

There are contrasting points of view for using or avoiding fabric softeners, around the globe.

  • Although fabric softeners make your beach towels less absorbent and hard, some experts recommend that one shouldn’t stop using fabric softeners, at all. Instead, apply less but good quality fabric softener and use it after every few washing.
  • On the other hand, other experts like The Turkish Towel Co. recommends stopping the use of fabric softeners or fabric softener sheets to keep them soft, fluffy, and super absorbent.

As an alternative to fabric softeners, one can use the following hacks to restore their glory.

What else can be used instead of Fabric Softener?

Using White Vinegar

The Turkish Towel Co. recommends using ordinary household white vinegar for restoring its softness, freshness, absorbency, and fluffiness.

  1. Take one cup of white vinegar and pour it instead of fabric softener in a rinse cycle.
  2. If your washing machine doesn’t program for a rinse cycle, make sure to wash your towels in a regular washing cycle. Then, pour one cup of white vinegar into another wash cycle instead of soap or any fabric softener.
  3. You can use a white vinegar hack about every six weeks for getting rid of the soapy residue that makes your beach towels feel rough, hard, and less absorbent.

Using Essential Oil

If you are missing the fresh and scented fragrance of a fabric softener, then use the following magic technique:

  1. First, take a clean washcloth.
  2. Damp it and pour 3-5 drops of your favorite essential oil on this dampened cloth.
  3. Pop it in the dryer along with your beach towels to have fresh-smelling fluffy towels.

Tossing PVC Dryer Ball or Tennis Ball

For an easy and cost-effective alternative to fabric softener, use a tennis ball or a PVC dryer ball.

Grab a clean tennis ball or dryer ball. Toss it in the dryer with your towels.

It will not only help soften and fluff up the towels but also make them static-free, reduce wrinkles, and also speed up the drying time, that’s why it is also an energy-efficient option.

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