There’s nothing quite like the feeling of wrapping yourself in a soft, fluffy towel after a shower. However, regular washing can leave towels feeling stiff, scratchy, and less absorbent over time. The right fabric softener can make a significant difference, restoring that plush, luxurious feel and adding a pleasant, fresh scent to your linens.
Choosing the best option depends on your priorities, whether that’s maximum softness, a hypoallergenic formula, a long-lasting fragrance, or the convenience of dryer sheets. This roundup covers a variety of top-performing fabric softeners specifically to help you find the perfect match for your towels, ensuring they remain a comforting and cozy part of your daily routine.
Our Top Fabric Softener Picks for Towels
- Downy Free & Gentle Fabric Softener
- Downy Ultra Soft Fabric Softener Liquid, Calm
- Gain Laundry Liquid Fabric Softener, Original Scent
- Gain Fabric Softener, Original Scent, 140 fl oz
- Downy Ultra Soft Fabric Softener, Lavender and Vanilla
- Suavitel Complete Liquid Fabric Softener, Field Flowers
- Snuggle Liquid Fabric Softener, SuperFresh Spring Burst
- Seventh Generation Dryer Sheets Fabric Softener
- Bounce Dryer Sheets Laundry Fabric Softener
- Mrs. Meyer’s Clean Day Liquid Fabric Softener
Downy Free & Gentle Fabric Softener
For households with sensitive skin, the Downy Free & Gentle Fabric Softener is an excellent choice for keeping towels soft without causing irritation. This formula is both hypoallergenic and dermatologist-tested, providing peace of mind for every member of the family. It is completely free of dyes and perfumes, ensuring there are no hidden irritants in your clean linens.
This gentle conditioner works effectively to reduce static and make your towels feel plush and comfortable against your skin. It is a reliable option for maintaining the quality of your towels while being mindful of skin sensitivities, proving that you do not need strong fragrances to achieve superior softness.
Downy Ultra Soft Fabric Softener Liquid, Calm
Experience a new level of comfort with the Downy Ultra Soft Fabric Softener in the Calm scent, featuring notes of lavender and vanilla bean. This formula is designed to provide premium softness that transforms your towels into a truly luxurious experience. It is engineered with quadruple the softening ingredients compared to leading liquid detergents alone.
The improved formula offers more softening agents than previous versions, ensuring your towels come out of the wash feeling exceptionally soft and smelling wonderful. This is a great option for anyone looking to add a touch of spa-like serenity and incredible softness to their bathing routine.
Gain Laundry Liquid Fabric Softener, Original Scent
If you love the classic, fresh scent of Gain, this liquid fabric softener delivers that beloved fragrance along with effective softening power. The concentrated formula provides more softness per drop compared to previous non-club bottled formulas, making it an efficient choice for your laundry. Its AromaBoost technology is designed to lock in freshness for weeks, from the moment you take your towels out of the wash until you use them.
This fabric conditioner helps to make your towels feel soft while surrounding them in the iconic Gain Original scent. For the full olfactory experience, you can use it in conjunction with other Gain products like their detergent and scent boosters.
Gain Fabric Softener, Original Scent
This large 140-fluid-ounce bottle of Gain Fabric Softener is perfect for families who do a lot of laundry and want to keep their towels soft and fragrant. It offers the light, dewy scent of spring freshness that Gain is known for, turning your linen closet into a source of constant freshness. The formula works to make clothes and towels softer while helping to decrease static cling.
With AromaBoost technology, this softener provides weeks of lasting freshness, ensuring your towels still carry a pleasant scent long after they have been washed and folded. This value-sized option is both HE-compatible and efficient for regular use.
Downy Ultra Soft Fabric Softener, Lavender and Vanilla
This larger size of the Downy Ultra Soft Fabric Softener in the popular Calm scent is ideal for those who have fallen in love with its luxurious feel and aroma. It provides the same benefits of premium softness and the soothing blend of lavender and vanilla bean. The formula contains four times the softening ingredients versus leading liquid detergent alone, targeting stiff towels directly.
You can expect your bath linens to feel significantly softer and more pampering with this improved formula. It is a reliable way to build a foundation of comfort and relaxation into your daily routine with every use of your towels.
Suavitel Complete Liquid Fabric Softener, Field Flowers
Suavitel Complete Fabric Conditioner in the Field Flowers scent offers a balance of softness, fragrance, and fabric protection. This 100-fluid-ounce bottle is convenient for frequent washers, providing enough for many loads. Beyond just softening, it includes fabric protection technology that helps keep clothes and towels looking newer for longer.
This technology helps your towels retain their color vibrancy and overall appearance even after many washes. It’s a comprehensive choice for those who want to maintain the visual appeal and soft texture of their towels over time.
Snuggle Liquid Fabric Softener, SuperFresh Spring Burst
The Snuggle Plus SuperFresh liquid fabric conditioner is designed for those who need more than just softness; it also tackles tough odors. Its odor-eliminating technology doesn’t just mask smells but helps to eliminate them, releasing a fresh Snuggle scent in the process. This makes it a strong candidate for gym towels or kitchen linens that need a deep refresh.
As a 2X concentrated formula, it delivers twice the softness in every drop compared to their standard liquid fabric softener. This means you can use less product per load while still achieving soft, fresh-smelling towels that feel comforting to use.
Seventh Generation Dryer Sheets Fabric Softener
For a fragrance-free and dye-free softening option, Seventh Generation offers these hypoallergenic dryer sheets. They are an excellent choice for families with sensitive skin, as they are dermatologist tested and contain 0% dyes or fragrances. These sheets provide the convenience of dryer-based softening without any potential irritants.
They work in the dryer to help reduce static cling and soften your towels effectively. This pack of four boxes ensures you have a long-lasting supply of a gentle, trustworthy fabric softener that aligns with a more natural lifestyle.
Bounce Dryer Sheets Laundry Fabric Softener
Bounce dryer sheets in the Outdoor Fresh scent are a classic and convenient way to soften towels and reduce static. The familiar scent provides your laundry with a clean, outdoor freshness that many people know and love. Beyond fragrance, these sheets offer practical benefits that improve the quality of your laundry.
They help to reduce wrinkles in your towels, making them smoother and easier to fold. As a static guard, they also help prevent fabrics from clinging together, which is especially useful for mixed loads of laundry.
Mrs. Meyer’s Clean Day Liquid Fabric Softener
Mrs. Meyer’s Clean Day Liquid Fabric Softener offers a more natural approach to fabric softening with its plant-derived ingredients and essential oil scents, like lavender. This formula is designed to be effective yet gentler, making it a good option for those who are mindful of the products they use in their home. The lavender scent provides a fresh, herbal aroma that is calming and not overpowering.
It works to soften towels and reduce static cling while imparting a clean, garden-fresh fragrance. This product is a great match for individuals looking for a fabric softener that aligns with a clean and simple household philosophy.
Buying Guide: How to Choose the Best Fabric Softener for Towels
I love the feeling of a soft, fluffy towel after a shower, but I’ve learned that not all fabric softeners are created equal when it comes to my bath linens. Using the wrong one can leave them feeling slick, less absorbent, or even coated in a waxy buildup. Over time, I’ve figured out what to look for when I’m shopping for the best fabric softener for towels, and I want to share that with you.
The first thing I always check for is the formula. For towels, I prioritize absorbency above all else. I look for products that are specifically designed to be non-coated or that promise to maintain towel absorbency. Many standard softeners work by depositing a thin layer of chemicals on the fabric, which is what makes clothes feel soft but can also repel water. This is the opposite of what I want from a towel. Liquid softeners are common, but I often find that dryer sheets or wool dryer balls are better alternatives because they soften through friction in the dryer without coating the fibers.
Next, I pay close attention to the scent. A heavily perfumed towel might sound nice, but those fragrances can sometimes irritate my skin, especially after shaving. I tend to go for lightly scented or fragrance-free options. If I do want a scent, I look for ones derived from essential oils rather than a long list of synthetic fragrances. This keeps my towels smelling fresh without being overwhelming or causing any irritation.
I also consider the ingredients. I prefer plant-based or biodegradable formulas when I can find them. They tend to be gentler on my towels and on the environment. I avoid softeners with silicones or heavy oils, as these are often the culprits for reducing absorbency. For my household, I also think about skin sensitivity. Hypoallergenic formulas are a great choice if anyone in your home has sensitive skin or allergies.
Finally, I think about the long-term health of my towels. Besides choosing a softener that protects absorbency, I make sure it doesn’t contain chlorine bleach or optical brighteners, which can break down towel fibers over time and cause them to wear out faster. A good fabric softener for towels should help them last longer, not shorten their lifespan. By focusing on absorbency, gentle ingredients, and a light touch with fragrance, I keep my towels feeling plush and working perfectly wash after wash.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I even use fabric softener on my towels?
This is a very common question, and honestly, I often skip it. The primary job of a towel is to be absorbent, and traditional liquid fabric softeners can leave a residue that makes towels less able to soak up water. If you want softness, I recommend using wool dryer balls. They tumble with your towels in the dryer, physically fluffing them and softening them without any chemicals. If you really want to use a softener, look for one specifically labeled as safe for towels or one of the best fabric softeners for towels that promises not to reduce absorbency.
Why do my towels feel stiff and scratchy after washing?
I’ve dealt with this too, and it’s usually one of two things. First, you might be using too much detergent or a softener that’s creating buildup. This residue can make the fibers stiff. Second, and more commonly, it’s from over-drying. Tossing towels in the dryer for too long bakes the fibers into a crunchy state. I take my towels out while they are still very slightly damp and let them air finish. This makes a huge difference in their softness.
What is a natural alternative to fabric softener for towels?
My go-to natural alternative is white vinegar. I add about half a cup to the rinse cycle dispenser in my washing machine. It naturally breaks down detergent residue and mineral buildup, which leaves towels feeling soft and fluffy. Don’t worry, the vinegar smell completely washes away! As I mentioned before, wool dryer balls in the dryer are another fantastic, chemical-free way to reduce static and soften fabrics.
Can fabric softener damage my washing machine?
Yes, it can, especially if you have a high-efficiency (HE) machine. Using too much softener or using the wrong kind can lead to a buildup of gunk in the dispenser and the machine’s internal parts. This can eventually cause blockages and odors. Always use the amount recommended on the bottle, and for HE machines, only use products labeled as HE. To be safe, I sometimes use dryer-based softeners like sheets or balls to avoid the washing machine altogether.
How can I make my old, stiff towels soft again?
If your towels have seen better days, don’t give up on them yet. I run a revitalizing cycle about once a month. I wash them on the hottest setting with no detergent, but with one cup of white vinegar. This helps strip away any accumulated residue. Then, I run them again on a warm cycle with half a cup of baking soda to further clean and deodorize. After this deep clean, they usually come out much softer and more absorbent.