Do I need to use fabric softener on towels?
If laundry is going straight into the tumble dryer, fabric softener is largely unnecessary. The mechanical tumbling action in warm air softens fabric naturally. Skipping softener on tumble-dried loads saves money, reduces chemical use, and – for towels specifically – maintains their absorbency, which fabric softener reduces over time.
Why Tumble Drying Softens Laundry Without Fabric Softener
Fabric softener works by coating fibres with a thin layer of lubricating agents that make them feel soft to the touch. Tumble drying achieves a similar result through a different mechanism – the repeated tumbling of laundry in warm air physically relaxes the fibres and prevents them from drying stiff and compacted, which is what causes the characteristic roughness of line-dried laundry.
The result is that tumble-dried laundry emerges soft without any chemical assistance. Independent comparisons between loads dried with and without fabric softener after tumble drying consistently show no significant difference in softness – provided the load is not over-dried.
The softening effect of tumble drying works best when laundry is dried to the correct level of dryness and removed promptly. Over-dried laundry – left in a hot drum for too long after the cycle ends – can feel rough regardless of whether softener was used. Use a timed or sensor-dry programme appropriate to the load.
The Case Against Fabric Softener on Towels
There is an additional reason to skip fabric softener specifically on towels, regardless of whether they are tumble dried or line dried.
What fabric softener does to towels
Fabric softener leaves a coating on fibres that makes them feel smooth and soft. On towels, this coating also reduces the surface’s ability to absorb water – which is the primary function of a towel. Regular use of fabric softener on towels gradually reduces their absorbency over time.
Towels without fabric softener
Towels washed and tumble dried without fabric softener maintain their absorbency fully. They may feel slightly less soft initially but this is less noticeable than the gradual loss of absorbency from regular softener use. If the texture feels too rough, the solution is shorter drying times and prompt removal from the drum rather than adding softener.
Line Drying Without Fabric Softener
The softening effect of tumble drying does not apply to line drying. Laundry dried on a line without fabric softener may feel noticeably stiffer than it would with softener – particularly items like towels and cotton shirts. Some practical approaches:
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Try reducing the amount of softener rather than eliminating it entirely – even a smaller dose provides some softening effect on line-dried laundry. -
Do not leave laundry on the line longer than necessary. Over-drying on a line stiffens fibres. Remove promptly when dry. -
Give line-dried laundry a short tumble at low heat (10 to 15 minutes) after bringing it in. This relaxes the fibres and softens the texture without the full energy cost of a complete tumble dry cycle.
Fabric Softener on Children’s Nightwear
Fabric softener reduces the flame-resistant properties of garments designed to be fire-retardant – including children’s nightwear labelled as flame-resistant. Do not use softener on these items. See our full guide on fabric softener and children’s sleepwear.
Related Guides
Related Guides
Fabric Softener and Children’s NightwearWhy fabric softener must not be used on flame-resistant children’s sleepwear – a safety issue, not just a preference.
Do Dryer Balls Actually Work?What the evidence shows about tumble dryer balls – modest time savings, questionable softening claims.
Fabric Softener Taken Out Too SoonWhy the softener is being flushed during the wash rather than the rinse – and how to fix it.
Which Type of Detergent Is Best?Powder, liquid, and tablet detergents compared – and how detergent choice affects machine hygiene.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need fabric softener if I tumble dry?
No. Tumble drying softens laundry through the mechanical action of items tumbling in warm air, which relaxes the fibres and prevents the stiffness associated with line drying. Fabric softener is not needed for tumble-dried laundry to feel soft, provided the load is not over-dried. Skipping softener on tumble-dried loads saves money and, for towels, maintains their absorbency.
Does fabric softener reduce the absorbency of towels?
Yes. Fabric softener works by leaving a lubricating coating on fibres. On towels, this coating reduces the surface area available to absorb water. Regular use of fabric softener on towels gradually reduces their absorbency over time. This is one of the stronger reasons to avoid softener on towels specifically – and tumble drying provides an alternative softening mechanism that does not compromise absorbency.
Will line-dried laundry be rough without fabric softener?
Possibly, depending on the fabric and drying conditions. Laundry dried on a line without softener can feel stiffer than tumble-dried laundry or softener-treated laundry. For towels and cotton items, a brief 10 to 15 minute tumble at low heat after line drying relaxes the fibres significantly. Reducing rather than eliminating softener is another option for line-dried loads where texture matters.
8 Comments
Grouped into 8 comment threads.
0 replies only if it is known that washing is hung out may someone take action, so put out a small clothes airer with something in front blocking people from seeing it! :) e.g. make a tent like structure on top or a high barrier in front. To not allow people to dry clothing is utterly daft. Housing should house people as a primary function not an additional feature. Totally fantastic and informative site by the way!
0 replies I find the thought of being banned from hanging out washing hilarious- but suppose Alan Bennett would find hung out washing "common". On a different matter also mentioned here, why was fabric conditioner invented- it did not exist when I was a child? Another moneyspinner from the detergent business?
I find the thought of being banned from hanging out washing hilarious- but suppose Alan Bennett would find hung out washing “common”.
On a different matter also mentioned here, why was fabric conditioner invented- it did not exist when I was a child?
Another moneyspinner from the detergent business?
0 replies Joshua: Rules like that were made many years before environmental issues became important. The rules are simply to make the estate look nicer. You can try arguing it's damaging the environment (and costing you money) by being prevented from drying laundry naturally (and presumably being forced to use a tumble dryer). You'd presumably have to take it up with the lease holder. If necessary you could try taking advice from the local council or consumer advice centre to see if such a rule is still relevant.
Joshua: Rules like that were made many years before environmental issues became important. The rules are simply to make the estate look nicer. You can try arguing it’s damaging the environment (and costing you money) by being prevented from drying laundry naturally (and presumably being forced to use a tumble dryer).
You’d presumably have to take it up with the lease holder. If necessary you could try taking advice from the local council or consumer advice centre to see if such a rule is still relevant.
0 replies Hi , Just discovered that according to a lease we can't see and haven't seen that washing is banned from being pegged out on our balcony, no reason given other than its in a twenty year old lease. any ideas were to go from here if we want to actually have dry clothes ? Thank you P.S Hope this isn't too far of the topic , thanks
Hi , Just discovered that according to a lease we can’t see and haven’t seen that washing is banned from being pegged out on our balcony, no reason given other than its in a twenty year old lease. any ideas were to go from here if we want to actually have dry clothes ? Thank you
P.S Hope this isn’t too far of the topic , thanks
0 replies Haushinka: I would think the time has come when the argument that it looks prettier even though it's damaging the environment will no longer stand up.
Haushinka: I would think the time has come when the argument that it looks prettier even though it’s damaging the environment will no longer stand up.
0 replies Nickynockynoonoo: That's a good point, one which I forgot to make. The fabric conditioner has a water-proofing effect on towels and reduces their absorbancy.
Nickynockynoonoo: That’s a good point, one which I forgot to make. The fabric conditioner has a water-proofing effect on towels and reduces their absorbancy.
0 replies Quote: 'I wonder if there are still housing estates where hanging washing out on the line is banned... purely for aesthetic reasons?' Here in Scarborough, North Yorkshire, UK, the majority of flats and some houses have this ban written into their deeds, so even owner-occupiers are prevented from drying washing outside. I suppose we local residents should club together and try to change these out-dated laws, especially with global warming now such a concern. Unforunately, I believe the local Council would probably object, as they are overly obsessed with aesthetics (being a popular seaside resort), to the point where, for example, many properties in 'conservation' areas look hideous due to rotten window frames as the Council won't let residents replace them with modern units, even wooden-framed double glazing!
Quote:
‘I wonder if there are still housing estates where hanging washing out on the line is banned… purely for aesthetic reasons?’
Here in Scarborough, North Yorkshire, UK, the majority of flats and some houses have this ban written into their deeds, so even owner-occupiers are prevented from drying washing outside. I suppose we local residents should club together and try to change these out-dated laws, especially with global warming now such a concern.
Unforunately, I believe the local Council would probably object, as they are overly obsessed with aesthetics (being a popular seaside resort), to the point where, for example, many properties in ‘conservation’ areas look hideous due to rotten window frames as the Council won’t let residents replace them with modern units, even wooden-framed double glazing!
0 replies You'll find the towels will dry you better too. Conditioner makes them less absorbent.
You’ll find the towels will dry you better too. Conditioner makes them less absorbent.
only if it is known that washing is hung out may someone take action, so put out a small clothes airer with something in front blocking people from seeing it! :) e.g. make a tent like structure on top or a high barrier in front.
To not allow people to dry clothing is utterly daft. Housing should house people as a primary function not an additional feature.
Totally fantastic and informative site by the way!