Fluff up your towels

Towels can get hard and stiff when washed. When you dry yourself, hard water and soap residues cling to the towel and normal washing doesn't always remove these residues, so they gradually build up.

To get back soft, fluffy towels, soak them overnight in a water softener such as Calgon, then wash as normal, ensuring you use sufficient detergent.

Fabric conditioner added softness, but if used regularly it reduces the absorbency of towels, so use it only every three or four washes.

After washing, shake towels out really well before placing in a tumble dryer or on an outdoor washing line.

Tumble drying tends to fluff up towels better than line drying but either way, take care not to over dry.

Keep your washing machine running smoothly by running it empty on its hottest cycle once a month with a dose of Calgon or a cup of distilled white vinegar in the detergent drawer, to remove any limescale and mineral salt build-up.

Bamboo towels (30% cotton and 70% bamboo) are three times as absorbent as cotton towels. Launder before use on a delicates wash.

Good Housekeeping 2013 and 2019