[Don]

I have a question about laundry. My laundry is hung out on the line to dry. Today while folding my hand towels and kitchen towels I noticed a waxy feel on the cloth. What am I doing wrong?

They are old. Probably 15 yrs or more. Washed in Hot water and bleach.

No fabric softener, but after hanging them to dry, I tumble them in the dryer for 5 mins just to make sure the pollen are out. How can I correct this?

I know replacing them will be expensive. Oh and we live in an area where the water is very soft.

The detergent I use is plant based ecos.

[Joanne]

Put vinegar in your rinse cycle instead of softener. It will take out the soap residue.

I use a dryer and put softener sheets in when drying.

[Sandy]

Maybe try rinsing them with vinegar in the water

[Becky]

I do towels as a separate load. Only half cup of baking soda first on a short cycle, no detergent.

Then wash again with only a cup of vinegar, no detergent.

Soft, absorbent and smell fresh after line dried.

[Theresa]

Maybe too much detergent? I use much less than recommended and add a splash of vinegar along with it.

[Connie]

Probably too much detergent. Cut back on the amount you use and add some vinegar in the rinse cycle

[Aminah]

I wash all my clothes with detergent plus 1/4 cup baking soda in wash cycle and 1/4 cup or less of vinegar in rinse cycle.

They come out clean and smell fresh. Also, if you use too much detergent or use pods, this can leave a waxy feeling on the clothes.

I never fill my washing machine more than 2/3 full of clothes.

I never put more than 1/4 scoop of detergent. They truly come out nice and clean with no smell at all.

[Charlene]

Strip with RLR. Probably too much detergent.
If you want to add vinegar instead of bleach it would probably help soften and with build up.

Don’t mix vinegar and baking soda….it neutralizes eachother.

[Astrid]

I use a cap of white vinegar for rinsing, no softener and my washing is soft, no fluff and smells divine.

Bonus my drum in washing machine sparkles, no scum..

have it for 15 years and still going strong

[Susan]

I would try and overnight soak in a sink or tote. Warm water and washing vinegar. Probably too much detergent.

You maybe surprised how much stuff comes out in the soak.

It always amazes me.

[Maundi]

May need to strip them with borax, washing soda and a powder detergent. I’m not a fan of chemicals but it’s made a difference with my towels being absorbent again.

[Ludie]

Dollar general usually has a clearance sale every couple months. That’s where I got my last ones. 3 sets for $3 a piece. 2 dish towels and 3 washcloths

[Teresa]

What everyone else said & I do not wash any other towels or wash cloths with my kitchen ones. Also keep them as long as you can, I have been trying to find ones that are just cotton but unless you pay a fortune they will be mixed with stretchy materials.

I feel like these materials hold on to dirt! I have tried everything & they will look clean until you get them wet & then they just look filthy.

I used to have towels & wash cloths for 15 + years also & now I am replacing almost yearly because they look horrible.

[Donna]

As a suggestion,, what I currently use is no fragrance ALL Clear liquid wash soap,, baking soda,, little bit of borax.. ((once I finish up the clear ALL liquid soap then I am going to make homemade laundry detergent using Arm & Hammer super washing powder (in yellow box get at Walmart) PLUS add in baking soda,, little bit of borax for the wash cycle use 1/4 to 1/2 cup per wash load……

When it gets to the rinse cycle I use 2-3 cups white vinegar only this is used in place of liquid softener… also I never use dryer sheets at all cause the waxy stuff on each sheet builds up on the clothes plus inside the dryer drum & lint filter… Once a week I run 1/2 box of baking soda only in washer then when gets to rinse cycle 1/2 gallon of vinegar & I always leave the lid of my washer up plenty of fresh air….

I don’t use liquid or dry bleach very toxic & bad breathing it…

[Lisa]

You could give them a wash in Dawn. I’m not a fan of the vinegar rinse. I have sensitive skin and had a reaction to it.

I hang dry my towels and jeans also and wash with Free and Clear any brand.

I fluff in the dryer like you.

[Jan]

Try cleaning your washer first. Add a cup of white vinegar to the wash cycle and another to the rinse cycle.

[Linda]

I use to take my white bleach load of tee shirts and white underwear and kitchen linens to my mom’s for a soaking. She had a water softener and used stain removers.

She would use a bucket of scalding hot water a couple of doses of calgon and dollop of bleach and let it sit overnight.

A bleach wash and a dryer and the come out white fluffy and weighing a whole lot less.

[Author]

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