1287 days ago

How to Make Your Towels Feel New Again

Robert Anderson from Curtain Clean Hamilton

One of the best things about staying with my parents is the promise of soft, fluffy towels when I arrive. Compared to the rough, frequently damp variety I have at home, my mum’s towels feel like I'm being wrapped in clouds. When I ask her how she keeps her towels so fluffy, she replies, only half-joking, “I buy expensive towels.”

First, I read that the leading cause of stiff towels is often leftover detergent residue. However, while cutting back on detergent will prevent towels from growing scratchy, it may not revive the softness. Choosing a hot water cycle and washing loads of only towels are also recommended for maintaining fluff, but again may not be enough to bring it back from the dead.

Undeterred, I continued to scrounge around the internet, and eventually came across a few interesting tricks—using items that I already have lying around at home—that I decided to try. Not at all of them worked out, but here is what I discovered.

Add Baking Soda
What the internet says: Mix half a cup of baking soda along with a normal detergent dose for fluffier and cleaner towels. Baking soda also naturally eliminates musty and mildew smells that come from towels remaining damp for too long.
How it worked: The towel felt thicker and bouncier, but the threads were sharper and spikier—kind of like a buzz cut texture. Not entirely ideal.

Throw Tennis Balls in The Dryer
What the internet says: If you have a few clean, unused tennis balls lying around like I do, try throwing them in the dryer along with your towels. As the balls bounce around, they help remove lumps and increase softness.
How it worked: It didn’t. I noticed no difference in fluffiness from drying towels with tennis balls. My towels remained their same old scruffy selves.

Brush It Out
What the internet says: Use a hairbrush to brush your towel once it’s clean and dry, which will help break down any dried detergent residue and separate the threads from each other, making the towel softer to the touch.
Keep reading: www.curtainclean.co.nz...

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More messages from your neighbours
4 hours ago

Neighbourhood Challenge: Who Can Crack This One? ⛓️‍💥❔

The Riddler from The Neighbourly Riddler

What has a head but no brain?

Do you think you know the answer? Simply 'Like' this post if you know the answer and the big reveal will be posted in the comments at 2pm on the day!

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1 day ago

Have you been to Hamilton Gardens lately?

Libby Totton Reporter from Waikato Times

Hamilton will soon offer a portal to a medieval ‘hospital’, without the stress of the bubonic plague.

The Medieval Gardens will open next year at Hamilton Gardens, with much of the work already done.

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O
9 hours ago

Leaving Neighbourly

Orlando from Pukete

Hey everyone, just a quick note to say I’m leaving Neighbourly. I joined because I thought it would be a good way to connect with people in the community, especially the older generation, and to receive advice, help, and shared knowledge.

Over time I’ve made quite a few posts genuinely looking for help or guidance, and unfortunately I’ve rarely received any responses. Most of the time it’s just one or two likes and no actual comments or help, which gets pretty discouraging after a while.

I understand people are busy, but when you consistently put things out there and hear almost nothing back, it starts to feel like there’s no real point in being part of the platform. Because of that, I’ve decided it’s best for me to move on.

No hard feelings — just not the right fit for me. Wishing everyone all the best.