Don’t Let Your Towels Turn Into Sandpaper: The Secret to Fluffy, Fresh Towels

By Patrick, Co-Owner at Wash and Fold Pros

You ever grab a towel after a nice hot shower, expecting to be hugged by a cloud… only to feel like you just dried off with a sheet of drywall? Yeah. We’ve all been there.

As someone who once mistook fabric softener for dish soap (again… don’t ask), I’ve learned a thing or two about what makes towels go from spa day to ouch, why is this exfoliating me?

So, let’s get into it—here’s why your towels are going stiff on you and what you can do about it.

The Culprit: Too Much Detergent (And Not Enough Rinse)

First things first: more soap doesn’t mean more clean.
When you use too much detergent (especially in high-efficiency machines), it can build up in towel fibers. Add in hard water, and suddenly your towels are less “fluffy luxury” and more “crunchy regret.”

If you’re noticing:

• A funky smell even after washing

• Stiffness and lack of absorbency

• Towels that seem to repel water (like they’ve gone on strike)

…you’ve probably got buildup.

Tip of the Week: Add a Vinegar Rinse (Yes, Really)

This week's top laundry hack? White vinegar.
No, we’re not pickling your towels, but a cup of distilled white vinegar added to the rinse cycle helps:

• Break down detergent residue

• Neutralize odors

• Soften fibers naturally (without the coating that fabric softeners leave behind)

It’s like a detox, but for towels.

Bonus Tip: Ditch the Dryer Sheets

I know, I know...dryer sheets smell great and seem like magic. But they actually leave a waxy coating that builds up on towels, reducing absorbency over time.
Instead, toss in a few wool dryer balls (they cut drying time and fluff things up, too).

Or… Let Wash and Fold Pros Handle It

We treat your towels like royalty, no crunchy corners here. Whether it’s your personal towel stash or the endless rotation at your salon, spa, or fitness studio, we:

• Use premium detergents and softeners (never overloaded)

• Customize every wash to suit towel type and fabric

• Monitor water hardness and rinse cycles for ultimate fluff

At Wash and Fold Pros, we keep things soft, sanitary, and smelling like success.

👉 Try our Pickup & Delivery Laundry Service and skip laundry day altogether.

Real Talk: You Deserve Better Towels

Whether you're running a salon in Charlottesville or just trying to impress your weekend guests in Staunton, your towels say a lot about you. Let them say, “I care. I’m cozy. And I don’t exfoliate unintentionally.”

Stay soft out there.
– Patrick