How To Make Towels Soft Without A Dryer

Before the invention of washing machines and dryers, people did laundry by hand and hung it out to dry. Dryers have the advantage of convenience, allowing you to dry laundry quickly and without a clothesline, but they also cost hundreds of dollars per year to run. Forgoing the dryer saves you money on your utility bill, but often air-dried towels feel crunchy and stiff. Adding vinegar to your washing machine helps soften your towels without a dryer.

Step 1

Add 1/4-cup of white vinegar to your washing machine when you do a load of towels to make them softer. To give your clothes a refreshing, natural smell, you can add a few drops of essential oil to the vinegar.

Step 2

Use less laundry detergent when you wash your towels. Too much detergent has a drying effect.

Step 3

Set up a clothesline outdoors or, if you do not have the space for a clothesline, put a small drying rack indoors next to the washing machine.

Step 4

Remove the towels from the washing machine as soon as the machine stops.

Step 5

Take the towels outside and shake them out to remove any remaining moisture.

Step 6

Hang the towels on the clothesline or drying rack. Clip the corners of the towels with clothespins if you're drying them outside. Allow the towels to dry completely.

Step 7

Take the towels off the line once they're dry. Shake each towel once or twice then fold them.