‘Telltale’ signs your towels are ‘no longer absorbent’ and need to be ‘replaced’
Over time, towels become less absorbent for a number of reasons including a buildup of washing detergent and fabric conditioner.
If your towels are hard, crunchy or stiff then it could be time to wash them with some white vinegar or replace them.
Most old towels can be softened in the washing machine using white vinegar but in some cases, when towels have lost their absorbency completely, they need to be replaced.
Detergent and fabric softener residues, hard water deposits, age and wear and excessive heat can all cause towels to lose their absorbency.
Now, the cleaning experts at Flour Sack Towels have shared the seven “telltale” signs that mean your towels have lost their absorbency.
Allen Civlak, proprietor of Flour Sack Towels said: “Towels lose their absorbency over time due to wear and tear, mineral buildup, and the breakdown of their fibres.
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“To determine when your towels are no longer absorbent, look for the following signs. If you notice several of these signs in your towels, it's probably time to replace them.”
Here are the signs to look out for:
Water doesn't bead up
When the towel is wet, the water should be absorbed quickly and evenly. If the water doesn't soak in but instead forms droplets on the surface, the towel has lost some of its absorbency.
Unpleasant odour
If towels consistently have a musty or mouldy odour, this could be a sign the towels are not effectively drying themselves, which could indicate reduced absorbency.
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Rough texture
Over time, towels can become stiff and lose their softness. The reason this happens is the towel’s fibres break down and become less effective at absorbing water.
Reduced fluffiness
If towels have lost their fluffiness and look flat and worn, the fibres are becoming compressed and less absorbent.
Stains that won't come out
If there are multiple stains on towels that can’t be removed with regular washing then it may be a sign they have lost their absorbency as they’re not being rinsed effectively.
Longer drying times
If your towels are taking ages to dry between uses or after washing them they’re likely retaining moisture and may not be absorbing water as well as they should.
Frequent lint in the tumble dryer filter
Towels that are losing their absorbency may shed lint during the drying process.
