apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

I didn't realize that was a dog in the photo until after I'd read this post. He looks like a baby seal that shrank. Too cute.

I've seen improvement in laundry quality since switching to biodegradable liquid detergent (several varieties out there, but I like Ecos or Trader Joe's). My towels used to come out crisp, too. (Some of these detergents include a corn-based fabric softener,which could be an allergy problem for some people). My front-loading machine has an extra rinse cycle, which helps.

Forget the towels, I just want to snuggle the dog.

Dog lover here but I think the picture of a shar pei is appropriate to the question because they have scratchy fur not so cuddly.

I am with forestdweller same here on using biodegradable liquid not the powder as much because of hard water in Calif. and using less than prescribed.

Umm... dryer sheets? Fabric softener? I know there are plenty of up an coming green or greener versions of these old standbys.

Also, how scratchy can they be? Maybe its not the towels, maybe you have particularly sensitive skin. Perhaps to invest in something for that might be better?

When I worked retail, we were always told to tell the customer not to use fabric softener on egyptian cotton because the softener coats and builds up on the towel fabric loops. Not sure if it is true.

You can also overcook towels... you might be using too high of a setting on your dryer.

If you are using dryer sheets or fabric softeners... stop. They aren't good for you, and they coat the fabric in chemicals.

Dryer balls are great for towels. They are soft, spiky balls you put in the dryer with your laundry to make it dry more evenly.

Roseslaw, it's amazing how scratchy towels can get when you have hard water. And if you line dry those towels instead of putting them in a dryer to be beaten soft... let's just say I hated "fresh" towels when I was a kid. :D They do a remarkable impression of a scrubbing pad.

Now THAT'S a dog suit--about six sizes too big.

Wowee. I didn't know that dogs shed their skin.

I use vinegar in the rinse and Dryer balls and no fabric softener. My towels are soft and fluffy and also more absorbent ehan before using dryer sheets .

I definitely thought that dog was a towel when I first looked.

Never use fabric softener on linens and cottons. It leaves behind a waxy residue, making the fabric less absorbent and reducing its ability to breathe - the whole point of items like towels and underwear to begin with.

It can also make them stiffer, which is probably what Itchy & Scratchy have encountered.

Fabric softeners should be reserved for synthetics, to cut down on static cling.

Where does the dog end and the towel begin?

I seriously thought, "no wonder that towel is scratchy, look at those whiskers it has" this shows how I pay attention! I like scratchy towels, they are usually very "thirsty" and dry me off better than the soft ones. They also give your skin a nice glow.

That is one of the scariest dogs of I have ever seen. It's up there with those freaky, hairless cats!

Another alternative to fabric softener or dryer sheets... use a half cup of borax in the wash with your laundry soap.

Liquid...all the way. Liquid destergent and Liquid fabric softer and try prem press when drying. Save my T-Shirts from that over dried beaded up look. Sure if you go to the laudrymat it takes a little longer but it saves you money in the long run.

Sorry about the spelling.

Thank you, my towels are itchy and scratchy too!

A product that might have the softer hand you are looking for is cotton micro-fibre towels -- they use the finer cotton fibres and are much softer.

Isn't white vinegar always the answer?

I echo the posts that recommend ditching the fabric softener. While fabric softener makes towels nice to the touch, it prevents the cotton from absorbing water as it should. I'd rather have an absorbant towel that's a bit stiff than one that refuses to absorb water - be it wet skin or wet dishes. I'll have to try to vinegar idea - sounds like a great solution.

OMG that dog is so cute. A total scene stealer -- what't this post about again? ; )

i need that dog