The secret to fresh, fluffy towels: how to keep them soft & luxe
19th Dec 2025
There’s nothing quite like wrapping yourself in a soft, fluffy towel — it’s like a warm hug after a hot shower.
But if your towels are feeling more crusty than cosy lately, don’t stress. We’ve got the fluff-saving secrets you need.
Spoiler alert: it’s not more detergent!
At Canningvale, we take towels seriously (almost too seriously, but can you blame us?). Whether you’ve stocked up our co-founder’s favourite, Royal Splendour, or you’ve got another classic cotton fave in the rotation, these tips work across the board to keep your towels soft, absorbent, and feeling fresh.
The Royal Splendour Secret (Straight from our co-founder, Frank Prainito)
To understand how to keep towels soft and fluffy, it helps to know what makes a great towel in the first place.
Let’s spill a little tea, straight from the mouth of our co-founder, Frank:
“The secret of Royal Splendour’s softness is the peculiar twist in the pile fibres. The fibres are particularly long and therefore can afford to be very gently twisted by 6 turns per inch. That enables greater absorbency, but there’s no tightness, so it’s very soft and lustrous.”
Translation? High-quality, long-staple cotton and a gentle twist in the fibres = soft, thirsty towels that stay luxe for longer. And while Royal Splendour leads the pack, these care tips will help any towel stay feeling like new.
Our Picks
Wash Smarter, Not Harder
Use less detergent
More detergent does not equal cleaner towels. In fact, the opposite is true. Excess detergent can leave residue that stiffens fibres and makes your towels crunchier or stiffer. Try using about half the usual amount.
Our Canningvale Signature Laundry Liquid is specifically formulated to help your towels and bed linen last and last (and last!).
Swap fabric softener for vinegar
Fabric softener coats towel fibres, and while it might make them feel softer, it makes your towels less absorbent (which is what they’re there for, right?). Instead, add ½ to 1 cup of white vinegar during the rinse cycle. It naturally softens, deodorises, and the vinegar smell vanishes during the washing process.
Add baking soda
Throw in half a cup of baking soda along with your detergent to boost freshness and banish any musty vibes.
Mind the water temp
Use warm water for coloured towels and cold water for whites. It helps lift dirt and oils without damaging the fibres.
Don’t overload the machine
Towels need room to breathe (just like us after Sunday lunch!). Leave plenty of space for towels to move during the wash to ensure they’re thoroughly cleaned and rinsed. Overcrowding when wet can also lead to crushed, flat fibres, the antithesis of the soft, fluffy towels we’re aiming for.
Our Picks
Dry Like a Pro
Shake it off
Before drying, give each towel a good shake. This loosens the fibres and preps them for ultimate fluff mode.
Tumble dry low
A tumble dryer on a low setting helps fluff up the fibres without frying them. Go gentle and avoid over-drying.
Use wool dryer balls
These little heroes help speed up drying and separate fibres for maximum fluff. You can even scent them with essential oils for that fresh laundry aroma.
Don’t let them sit
When the dyer stops, get them out. Leaving towels to chill in the drum can flatten them. Shake and fold (or, let’s be real, leave in a basket for two days — just make sure to give them a good shake again before using).
Our Picks
Extra Pro Tips
Wash towels by themselves
Separate colours into their own loads and wash each at the appropriate water temperature.
Final fluff shake
We’ve said it once (or twice), but we’ll say it again. The secret to a perfectly fluffed-up towel is a really good shake (plus, it’s cardio, right?). Give each towel one last shake before folding to maintain that ultra-plush feel.
And there you have it — your total towel care glow up. Because nothing says “I’ve got my life together” like towels that are soft, fluffy, and smell like heaven.