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c/asklemmy · by demonmariner@sh.itjust.works · 242d

Removing fabric softener?

I discovered that a couple of my towels apparently got treated with fabric softener at one point: they have lost all absorbency (I never use softener but apparently someone in the household did). It is impossible to dry anything with them, they just push the water around.

What's the best/easiest way to remove the vile stuff without damaging the towels?

38 points · 14 comments · view on lemmy.world

14 Comments

CobblerScholar@lemmy.world · 17 pts · 242d (4 replies)

I've heard citric acid is a good way but I've used vinegar with decent results. Only need like a splash and no you won't smell it afterwards

Demonmariner@lemmy.world · 5 pts · 242d (3 replies)

Thanks, I'll try vinegar first, since I have some.

SaveTheTuaHawk@lemmy.ca · 1 pts · 241d (2 replies)

people use vinegar for everything. I can't image a world without vinegar.

Passerby6497@lemmy.world · 2 pts · 241d

My partner has a vinegar allergy (among other very common items), and yeah, that's not super far off lol. They love knitting and had a reaction from the vinegar used to set the dye...

kaulquappus@feddit.org · 1 pts · 240d

Think again, Jimmy. You see, the pickles that you like so much are made with - yep, vinegar.

blackbrook@mander.xyz · 11 pts · 242d

I would say washing them. Maybe a simple rinse with water would do it, but might depend on your water hardness.

cyberpunk007@lemmy.ca · 8 pts · 242d (3 replies)

I have never heard of this problem before and use fabric softener every time. What am I missing?

Wolf314159@startrek.website · 9 pts · 241d (1 reply)

Absorbent towels. I guess if you'd always used fabric softener, you'd never know how much more effective towels are when they haven't been abused by fabric softener or drier sheets.

cyberpunk007@lemmy.ca · 1 pts · 241d

Well this is something I will try next time I buy new towels then.

Ephera@lemmy.ml · 4 pts · 241d

Polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) is the active ingredient in most fabric softeners. However, PDMS is a silicone oil that destroys absorbent properties.

The oil in the fabric softener latches on to clothing and creates a coating. Towels absorb water, but oil repels it. When an oil coating attaches to a towel, it causes the fibers to become greasy and slippery, which hinders its absorbency. When the soapy residue of fabric softener builds up on the towel, it causes it to become stiff instead of soft.

Source: https://www.towelsupercenter.com/blog/should-you-wash-towels-with-fabric-softener/

neidu3@sh.itjust.works · 8 pts · 242d

Anything acidic. Citric acid powder is cheap, effective, and doesn't smell.

mnemonicmonkeys@sh.itjust.works · 6 pts · 241d (1 reply)

Fabric softener isn't going to kill your towels' absorbancy with a single wash. You'd have to use fabric softener every wash for an extended period of time to achieve that

GreenKnight23@lemmy.world · 3 pts · 241d

but what if they used a lot, like an idiot.

1000002763

MrsDoyle@sh.itjust.works · 2 pts · 241d

Washing soda

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sodium_carbonate