These are the perfect settings for the softest laundry – how laundry pros fine-tune their appliances for each fabric

We all want super-soft laundry. While we often pile in the products, it’s actually the washer and dryer settings that make the biggest difference.

From wool to denim, choosing the right cycle lengths, temperatures, and spin speeds can transform your laundry from scratchy to super-soft.

Here, cleaning and laundry experts share their tips on the best dryer and washing machine settings to use for perfect, enviable results every time.

Which washer and dryer settings to use for maximum softness

For cotton, wool, bedding, and towels

To achieve that soft, fluffy feel when doing laundry with soft fabrics like cotton and wool, you'll want to opt for a warm water setting, on a gentle or normal cycle.

Rechelle Balanzat, founder and CEO of Juliette advises, 'Warm water helps remove dirt while preventing stiffness, ensuring a thorough clean without weakening fibers, while a gentle cycle prevents pilling, especially when washing bed sheets, caring for cotton, and washing towels,' swerving any disastrous laundry mistakes.

When the goal is softness (especially when making towels soft again), the trick is to avoid fabric softener. Despite the name, Rechelle explains that it often coats the fibers and reduces absorbency. Instead, wash towels with white vinegar, such as the Great Value Distilled White Vinegar available at Walmart, to restore softness.

Similarly, to soften bedding, use baking soda in laundry, for fresh, fluffy results.

It might seem surprising, but selecting the correct tumble dryer temperature is just as important as your washing machine when it comes to achieving maximum softness. Again, they differ depending on the fabric.

For cotton, bedding, and towels, laundry expert Rechelle recommends using a low to medium heat, as 'lower dryer heat prevents overdrying, which can make fabric rough.'

You may also want to consider the air dry or air fluff setting on your dryer if your model has one.

Petya Holevich, laundry and textile care expert at Fantastic Services explains, 'The air dry or air fluff setting uses room-temperature air to fluff up the fabrics. You can even use it after simply air-drying your laundry to soften the fabrics or pair it with wool or plastic dryer balls to increase the dryer's performance.' We like the Cleancult Dryer Balls available at Walmart.

Petya continues, 'They gently beat the fabric to separate the layers, which is an ideal way to loosen fibers and leave your clothes feeling softer.'

If you are concerned about damaging soft items in the washing machine, consider hand washing clothes, with a gentle detergent such as the Woolite Delicates Hypoallergenic Liquid Laundry Detergent available at Walmart. Alternatively, a professional laundrette will be able to care for delicate garments for you.

For linen, denim, silk, and athleisure

Conversely, there are several items you should never wash in hot water to keep them soft and comfortable: namely denim, delicates, and athletic wear.

For example, Rechelle explains that when washing jeans and other denim items, linen, or activewear, cold water prevents stiffness and shrinkage, while the delicate setting on a washing machine reduces wear. The same applies when washing woolly sweaters.

This is another example of a time you should never use fabric softener, Rechelle adds. To soften denim, you can add a little hair conditioner to the rinse cycle, and to keep activewear soft and stretchy, use a specifically designed detergent, such as HEX Performance Laundry Detergent available at Amazon, or Nathan Power Wash Clear available at Walmart.

When it comes to drying specialty fabrics such as denim, athletic wear, and delicates, like silk and lingerie, it is best to leave the tumble dryer behind, opting for the benefits of air-drying laundry instead.

Laundry expert Tom Ceconi, president of Heritage Park Laundry Essentials warns, 'Do not put these items in the dryer; hang them to dry indoors or outside. The heat of the dryer will damage fibers and cause shrinkage.'

Importantly, though, Tom adds that you should never dry silk or wool in direct sunlight, as, while providing softness, may cause fading and discoloration.

Meet our experts

Rechelle Balanzat

Since starting Juliette, Rechelle has impressively become the youngest female board member of the International Laundry & Drycleaning Institute, and is regarded as one of the most influential leaders in her category.

Tom Ceconi

Tom grew up working in his parents linen and bath store, and has blended his hands-on education with his background in technology to lead multiple luxury home textiles brands, including Fine Linen & Bath, Mulberry Park Silks, and Heritage Park Laundry.

FAQs

Why is my laundry stiff and scratchy?

As Petya Holevich, laundry and textile care expert explains, 'Usually, what makes clothes stiffer in the washing machine is the amount of detergent you're using. If you use too much, it leaves residue in the fibers, making them feel harsh to the touch.' For this reason, use a measuring cup for accurate doses, such as the Laundry detergent cup available at Amazon.

Tom's key takeaway when tackling laundry? 'Read the laundry symbols and follow them.' You can't go too far wrong when doing what is advised on the labels, and, if in doubt, hand wash and air-dry outdoors.