How to Keep Towels and Bathrobes Soft Like at a Spa: Fabric Softener – Yes or No? – Tips & Tricks by Soul’s Spirit

Soft, Fragrant and Absorbent: The Real Secret to a Spa-Like Bathrobe

ou know that feeling?

You step out of the shower, reach for your bathrobe and wrap yourself in something soft, fluffy and beautifully scented.

Almost like being at a spa.

Then you look at your bathrobe at home.

Perhaps it was incredibly soft when you first bought it. But after a few washes, it seems to have changed personality.

Stiffer.

Less fluffy.

And sometimes even less absorbent.

The first temptation is fairly predictable:

more fabric softener.

And yet, that could be exactly where we are going wrong.

New bathrobe? Wash it before you use it

It may sound strange.

It is new, it looks clean and feels wonderfully soft: why put it straight into the washing machine?

The first wash helps remove any residues left behind from manufacturing, packaging and handling of the fabric.

But when it comes to towelling, there is another important consideration.

A bathrobe should not only feel pleasant against the skin.

It needs to absorb water.

The first wash, following the care instructions on the label, helps prepare the fibres for their real job.

And here comes a little surprise:

for the first wash, it is best to avoid fabric softener.

Fabric softener on bathrobes: yes or no?

The answer is not a categorical yes or no.

What matters most is how we use it and how much we use.

Traditional fabric softeners deposit substances onto the fibres that reduce friction, making the fabric feel softer to the touch.

But towels and bathrobes have one essential characteristic we cannot forget:

they need to absorb water.

Repeated or excessive use of fabric softener can leave deposits on towelling fibres and gradually reduce their absorbency.

That is why, when it comes to bathrobes, the formula:

more fabric softener = more softness

is not necessarily the right one.

To achieve that fluffy feeling we associate with spas and hotels, we need to take care of the fibres rather than simply coating them with more product.

And the fragrance? It does not necessarily have to come from fabric softener

This is probably one of the most common misconceptions when it comes to laundry.

We often use fabric softener not only to make fabrics feel softer, but also because we want them to smell beautiful.

But softness and fragrance are two different things.

The Laundry Fragrances by Le Essenze di Elda, officially distributed in Switzerland by Soul’s Spirit, allow you to choose the fragrance you want to leave on your laundry independently of how you choose to care for its softness.

This distinction is particularly interesting when it comes to towels and bathrobes.

We can therefore care for the fibres with softness and absorbency in mind and, separately, choose how we want our laundry to smell.

Too much detergent can also make towelling stiff

Fabric softener is not the only product we should avoid overusing.

Too much detergent can also leave residues in the fibres if the rinse cycle does not remove them completely.

Over time, this can make the fabric feel stiffer and less pleasant against the skin.

So no: more detergent does not necessarily mean cleaner laundry.

The right amount depends on the product, the size of the load, how dirty the laundry is and even the hardness of the water.

Above all, laundry needs enough room to move freely and rinse properly.

The real secret to softness could be drying

And now we come to a stage that often receives far less attention than washing.

Drying.

If the bathrobe’s care label allows it, the movement inside the tumble dryer can help separate the towelling fibres and restore their volume.

This is also one of the reasons why properly dried towels and bathrobes can feel particularly soft and fluffy.

Naturally, the temperature and programme must be suitable for the fabric: excessive heat can damage the fibres.

So the first rule is:

always check the care label.

And what if we want the fragrance to last through tumble drying too?

This opens up another interesting chapter.

Heat and movement can change how we perceive the fragrance left on laundry during the wash.

We have already explored this in our article How to Keep Your Laundry Fragrant Even After Tumble Drying (and Why It Matters).

Le Essenze di Elda has also developed products specifically for this stage: the Dryer Power Pods, available in a range of Essenze.

Diamante, Topazio, Dolce, Lavanda, Diamante & Ylang-Ylang, Thomas, Perla and other fragrances allow you to continue your fragrance ritual even during the drying stage.

Washing and drying become two distinct moments in the same journey.

Spa-like bathrobe: which Essenza should you choose?

There is no single right answer for everyone.

A spa-like feeling does not necessarily correspond to just one type of fragrance.

Some people associate wellbeing with fresh, clean notes.

Others prefer something soft and enveloping.

And some look for that distinctive scent that brings to mind freshly washed laundry.

Among the many Laundry Fragrances by Le Essenze di Elda, you can choose the one that best reflects your own idea of wellbeing.

For example, Essenza Marsiglia evokes a fragrance world closely associated with fresh laundry and cleanliness, and is also recommended on the website for towels.

Or you can choose a completely different fragrance and turn that moment after your shower into something far more personal.

Because that is exactly the beauty of it:

there is no single “spa fragrance”. There can be one that is uniquely yours.

Stiff bathrobe: does it really need replacing?

Not necessarily.

Before giving up on it, it is worth taking another look at our laundry habits.

How much detergent do we use?

How much fabric softener?

Are we overloading the washing machine?

Is the laundry being rinsed thoroughly enough?

How is the bathrobe dried?

These are all useful questions, because that stiff feeling is not necessarily caused by the age of the fabric alone.

It can also be affected by accumulated residues and by the way the fibres have been treated over time.

The spa-like bathrobe ritual

In the end, you do not need ten different products.

What really matters is a handful of good habits.

Is it new?Wash it before using it and avoid fabric softener for the first wash.

How much detergent?Only as much as you need. No more.

Fabric softener?It is not essential for every wash and, with towelling, it is best not to overdo it if you want to preserve absorbency.

Tumble dryer?If the care label allows it, tumble drying can help keep the fibres fuller and fluffier.

Fragrance during the wash?You can choose from the Laundry Fragrances by Le Essenze di Elda.

Fragrance during drying too?Discover the Dryer Power Pods by Le Essenze di Elda.

Le Essenze di Elda is officially distributed in Switzerland by Soul’s Spirit.

A little everyday luxury

Perhaps the spa-like feeling is not about how much product we use.

It is that feeling when you step out of the shower and find a bathrobe waiting for you that is clean, soft, absorbent and scented exactly the way you chose.

A perfectly ordinary gesture that, when done well, becomes a little ritual.

Softness, absorbency and fragrance are not the same thing. The secret is making them work together.

Should you wash a new bathrobe before using it?Yes. The first wash helps remove any residues left from manufacturing and prepares the fibres for use. Always follow the care instructions on the garment label.

Can you use fabric softener on towels and bathrobes?Yes, but in moderation. Frequent or excessive use can leave deposits on towelling fibres and reduce their absorbency. For the first wash of a new bathrobe, it is best to avoid fabric softener.

How can you keep towels soft like those in a hotel?Use the right amount of detergent, avoid excessive fabric softener, do not overload the washing machine and pay attention to how you dry them. If the care label allows it, tumble drying can help keep the towelling fibres fuller and fluffier.

How can you fragrance towels and bathrobes without using more fabric softener?Softness and fragrance can be managed separately. You can use a dedicated laundry fragrance to give your laundry the scent you want without increasing the amount of fabric softener.

How can you keep towels fragrant when tumble drying?Heat can alter how a fragrance is perceived after washing. Products specifically designed for the drying stage, such as Dryer Power Pods, allow you to add fragrance during this part of the laundry routine too.