Why air-dried towels go crunchy (and how to fix it)
Published: 24th Jun 2026
Last updated: 24th Jun 2026
You know that moment when you step out of the shower, reach for a soft, snuggly, freshly laundered towel, and are greeted by… a crispy rectangle of betrayal?
Yeah, us too.
If you’ve ever wondered why towels get crunchy when they’re air-dried, you’re not alone. Air-drying is energy-friendly, budget-friendly, and oftentimes seems like the “easy” option when the sun is shining – but it can leave your towels feeling stiff, scratchy and more like an oversized loofah than the fluffy cloud you were hoping for.
Let’s unpack why it happens and how to keep your towels softer for longer.
Why do towels get crunchy when air-dried?
Towels often get crunchy when air-dried because the fibres that make up your towels can dry in a fixed position and stick together. Research has found that a small amount of “bound water” can remain on cotton fibres, creating tiny links between them as they dry. This makes the fabric feel harder and stiffer once dry.
In simple terms: when your towel dries without movement, the fibres settle where they are. Once dry, they stay that way.
When towels are tumble-dried, they’re constantly tossed around. That movement helps separate and loosen the fibres, which creates that softer, fluffier feel. Air drying skips the tumble party, so the fibres can clump together and feel stiff.
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Why do tumble-dried towels feel softer?
Tumble drying adds consistent movement and airflow to the drying process. As the towel flips and falls, the loops and fibres are gently agitated instead of drying flat and still. That movement helps stop the fibres from “setting” into a stiff shape.
A dryer can also loosen surface fibres, which contributes to that fluffy feel. The downside? That soft lint that you clear out of your dryer lint trap after every load is made up of broken fibre fragments, which means too much heat or over-drying can wear towels down over time. High heat can contribute to thinning, fraying and reduced softness.
Basically, the dryer is like a personal trainer for your towels. Helpful in moderation. Too intense, and things get tired.
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Does fabric softener help crunchy towels?
Not really. Fabric softener may make towels feel smoother at first, but it can coat the fibres and reduce absorbency over time. Towels work best when their loops are open and ready to drink up water (to dry you off properly!). A coating of softener can get in the way of towels doing their job properly.
So while fabric softener might sound like the obvious fix for crunchy, stiff towels, it’s a little sneaky. It gives softness with one hand and steals absorbency with the other. Not a trade-off we’re willing to make.
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How can you make air-dried towels softer?
The trick is to add movement before, during or after drying (or ideally… all three).
Before hanging, give each towel a good shake. This helps separate the loops and fibres before they dry. Once dry, shake again or give the towel a quick tumble on a cool or low-heat setting for a few minutes.
You can also try:
- Not overloading your machine when washing. Give your towels space to rinse properly
- Avoiding too much detergent, which can leave residue. Try a small amount of our Signature Concentrate Laundry Liquid, which we designed specifically to care for our fabrics
- Skipping the fabric softener
- Giving towels plenty of space on the line to increase air flow
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Is it bad to air-dry towels?
Absolutely not. Air drying towels is gentle, energy-saving and perfectly fine for your towel collection. The crunchy feeling is mostly a texture issue, not a sign that your towels have been damaged.
That said, you should always make sure that your towels are completely dry before folding and putting them away. Even slightly damp towels can develop musty smells, and no one wants their linen cupboard smelling like a wet dog in a sauna.
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The takeaway
Towels get crunchy when air-dried because their fibres dry in place, tiny amounts of water can help them stick together, and there’s no tumble action to fluffy everything back up.
For softer air-dried towels, remember: shake before you hang, don’t overdo the detergent, avoid fabric softener, and (if possible) give them a quick low-heat tumble when you want that extra fluffy finish.