Frugal way to get good towels?

**peanut** · 01-25-2009, 05:40 PM

Okay folks. What is a good towel and what's a frugal way to get them? I have bathrooms with towels that are stiff as nails. I've tried vinegar rinse and fabric softener (in the dryer). What am I doing wrong? Or do I need new towels? (I've actually ordered some) How do I know if I ordered good ones? What is a good towel??? And what is a good deal?

Jean

**madhen** · 01-25-2009, 05:47 PM

I have given up and now get my towels from department stores. I've done year after year of Walmart/KMart type towels, and even Target and such, and it seems they just warp or fall apart or feel like sack cloth after a couple of washings. The few I have gotten from department stores, while a bit more expense, have held up and just seem to get softer and fluffier with use. I think, when it comes to towels, that cheap is a false economy, if you want your towels to feel good. If you just want to be dry, then that is a different story.

**rosey7415** · 01-25-2009, 06:26 PM

i agree with madhen. some things you should just buy quality and they will hold up and last forever. sort of....you get what you pay for. i have quite a few towels and rotate them and i am sure that helps also.

**madhen** · 01-25-2009, 06:33 PM

Was just doing some research, btw, and found a site that says to never use fabric softener on your towels. They recommend those dryer ball thingies that you toss in. Apparently, the softener "oils" leave a residue on the towels. One woman recommended soaking the offending towels in your washer with 1 c. epsom salts overnight, then washing with vinegar and drying without fabric softener. Said it might take 2-3 washings to get all the residue off. If you give it a try, let us know? I have always used softener, and to not do so seems a bit contradictory to your desired result, but I guess it would be less expensive to give it a try and have it work than to buy new towels!

**Judi Dial** · 01-25-2009, 06:48 PM

I buy mine at the department store which has them, (they're the store's brand) when they're on sale. Right now a 25 x 54 towel is $25, on sale.

If we were really broke, I'd probably buy towels from another source.

Industrial towels. I have a source I keep meaning to try that has the following: 27 x 54...Luxurious bath towels ...100% cotton with extra long loops which gives it that nice plush rich feel. Bright white, soft and absorbent. Sold by the each. $16.95 for 1, 2-11 $12.95 each...etc.

This particular company has free shipping.

Or you could try the people who sell towels etc. for fabric artists to dye. I do business with a company of this type. They currently list terry velour beach towels, 30 x 60, 100% cotton, prices start at $8.99 and go DOWN when you buy 12 or more.

I hope there's something in here you can use. If you want specific websites, please IM me.

Best --

Judi

**Judi Dial** · 01-25-2009, 07:21 PM

The company that I talk about above with the industrial towels has free shipping in the contiguous U.S., not everywhere. Sorry I should have said that!

JD

**Grainlady** · 01-25-2009, 07:42 PM

Sometimes it's the grade or type of cotton used in the towels, not necessarily how you launder them. If they aren't soft after being dried in the dryer, then I'd suspect it's the type of cotton.

My husband's brother and sister were staying with us for a family funeral last week, and the brother kept asking where I got my towels (K-Mart)? They were the softest towels he'd ever used, and didn't believe I line dry them. I believe in buying Egyptian cotton, when possible.

I launder with Charlie's Soap, rinse with vinegar and line dry - either inside or outside. But saying that, I have 2 hand towels I bought off a bargain table and they have NEVER been soft, no matter what I did to them.

**MomToTwoBoys** · 01-25-2009, 10:05 PM

You can get quality towels for a good price. It's just a matter of the type of fabric used in the towel. I buy my kids' pool towels when they're on clearance and they make marvelous indoor towels. I'd shop the sales and look for towels that are high in thread count. Towels are sort of like sheets; you can't buy cheap and expect them to be superior.

**pbobber** · 01-26-2009, 01:21 AM

If you have a 'Tuesday Morning' nearby, it is a great place to buy towels (I don't know if there are any in Canada). I find Egyptian cotton towels there for less that I have ever seen in a dept store. They last forever.

**mamamia** · 01-26-2009, 02:53 AM

I splurged and bought egyptian cotton towels a couple of years ago. It was the best thing I ever did. The colors haven't faded, and they're still soft and thick. Same with egyptian cotton sheets. They last forever!

HTHs

Theresa

**Momto2Boyz** · 01-26-2009, 07:20 AM

I have never used fabric softner on my towels. And I always try to line dry them whenever possible. I swear it makes them more obsorbent! A few months ago, I stuck a towel in with another load, and it ran through the dryer with a dryer sheet. It was horrible! When you get out of the shower and use it, you can actually feel the crud left on the towel on your skin afterward!

It won't help you now...but the most frugal way to get really good towels is ask for them for Christmas! I asked my MIL for them last year (ours were on their last leg), and she got me a huge set of really, really, really nice towels! This year, I asked her for (and got) a really nice set of kitchen towels!

**Starlight9803** · 01-26-2009, 08:07 AM

I agree with the other posters, quality matters in bath towels. My SIL ordered her towels from a company that provides towels to some of the better hotels (she asked the staff for the name of the company when she stayed at the beach last year), and though you had to order a large quantity, she split the cost with several friends and she is just wild about her towels. They are still soft and fluffy - and she uses fabric softener on them all the time.

**Siebrie** · 01-26-2009, 08:18 AM

This may not be your cup of tea, but:

My parents belong to a church and my mum occasionally helps clear out the apartments of church members that have died and have no relatives. Usually, the furniture has a place to go to, but the towels, tea cloths, bed linen, etc. do not. My mum takes these home, washes them and distributes as needed. I have several of the sheets and towels, all lovely and soft. Often, I knew the people these things came from and I think of them whenever I use their things.

**brenda67** · 01-26-2009, 09:19 AM

I bought my towels at Sams Club and I'll tell you they are the best towels I've ever purchased..I only use Downy fabric softener and they alway's come out soft..However if I lined dried them they are stiff as a board so I just throw them in the dryer for about 5 minutes..I hope this helps...

**mombottoo** · 01-26-2009, 10:46 AM

I got my towels on clearance through Kohl's and I have had them for 5 years!!! At the time I paid $3.00 each and they were regularly $15 each!!! Plus, I got free shipping to boot. I genereally read reviews & do a lot of comparing on the net before I buy anything...