How to Make Your Towels Fluffy and Soft Again

Towels are designed to absorb water, but over time, that same absorbency makes them prone to buildup – leading to towels that feel stiff, smell musty, or don’t dry effectively. The good news? With the right routine, you can restore that spa-like softness and keep towels feeling fresh and fluffy.

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Why do towels become rough and stiff?

Towel fibers trap residues like body soils (sweat, sebum, skin cells), detergent, hard water minerals, and personal care products. These build up inside the fibers and make towels feel scratchy, stiff, and even smell musty—often described as a “wet dog” odor. Yuck.

What’s the best way to wash towels for softness?

Start with a deep-cleaning detergent like Tide to remove embedded body soils. Add Downy Rinse & Refresh in the rinse cycle to strip away tough residue, especially hard water minerals and odor-causing compounds. Or for silky softness, try Downy Fabric Softener, which protects and conditions towel fibers acting like a conditioner for your clothes.

Can I use fabric softener on towels?

Yes. When used as directed, Downy Fabric Softener makes towels feel luxuriously soft while protecting fibers from damage and fuzzing. It conditions without damaging the fabric, helping towels stay fluffy over time while still being able to absorb water.

How should I dry towels?

Tumble-dry with dryer sheets like Downy Infusions to help fluff fibers and prevent static. Be sure not to overload the machine – leave at least 6 inches of space at the top of the drum to allow towels to tumble freely. This airflow is key to drying towels evenly and restoring fluff.

Why do some towels still smell after washing?

“Odor bloom” happens when trapped soils or residues were not fully removed and re-release odor when towels get wet. Using Downy Rinse & Refresh during the rinse cycle breaks this cycle by dissolving and rinsing away deeply trapped odor-causing compounds.

Can using too much detergent make towels stiff?

Potentially. Overdosing detergent – especially in high-efficiency (HE) washers – can cause buildup that’s not fully rinsed away. This residue can make towels stiff and dull. Always follow dosing instructions for detergent and use Downy Rinse & Refresh to clarify and reset fabrics.

Stiff towels can also be caused by a buildup of hard water metals and minerals that are present in many homes’ water supplies. Downy Rinse and Refresh helps break down this buildup so your towels feel soft and fresh, even if your home has hard water.