Aren't Microfibre Towels Scratchy? The Truth (and Why They Get Softer With Every Wash).
The short answer: no. Most people who try Newlyfe towels for the first time are surprised by how soft they feel, which is not what they expected from microfibre at all. And after a few washes? Even better.
That said, microfibre does feel different from a fluffy cotton towel and there are real reasons some microfibre towels (usually cheap ones or ones that have been washed with fabric softener or put through a dryer) end up feeling rough. This post explains what is actually going on, so you can tell a quality towel from a poor one, and get the best out of yours from day one.
"I was skeptical about these towels. They work amazingly and dry so fast. Don't know how they do it but 10/10."
Andre Day, verified Newlyfe customer
What Makes Quality Microfibre Feel So Good?
Newlyfe bath towels are made from 350 GSM premium waffle-weave microfibre. GSM (grams per square metre) is the towel industry's measure of fabric density: the higher the number, the more fibre packed into each square centimetre, and the softer and more absorbent the result. Standard quality for this type of microfibre starts at around 300 GSM. At 350 GSM, there is noticeably more fabric in the weave, which is why the feel is closer to a soft plush than to the thin, grabby microfibre you might have used to clean your car.
The waffle-weave structure also matters. Unlike smooth suede-style microfibre (which is what most people picture when they think "microfibre towel"), waffle weave has a raised grid pattern that creates extra surface area for absorbing moisture, softens with flexing and feels more cosy against your skin. It is the same construction used in premium hotel spa towels, just in a format that packs to a quarter of the size and air dries outdoors more quickly than traditional towels.
Why It Gets Softer and More Absorbent With Every Wash?
Here is the part that surprises most first-time buyers: a quality microfibre towel is better after the first wash. Better again after the second.
New towels arrive with a small amount of manufacturing residue from the production process: a finishing treatment that helps the fabric hold its shape during packaging and shipping. That residue is harmless, but it can make the towel feel slightly stiffer than it will be in regular use. One wash removes it entirely and from that point the fibres relax and the fabric becomes progressively more pliable. Absorbency also increases as the fibres open up - this is exactly why the product description says "the more you wash it, the more absorbent it gets." That is not a marketing line. It is what happens with quality microfibre.
After three to five washes, most customers notice the towel has settled into a noticeably softer, more supple feel that keeps improving rather than degrading.
"Love it, so quick and easy to dry yourself. First day using it but so light and love the waffle feel."
Roslyn Marshall, verified Newlyfe customer
350 GSM premium waffle-weave microfibre. Soft from the first wash and gets softer with every use. 4.95 stars from 569 reviews.
Why Some Microfibre Towels DO Feel Scratchy
If you have tried a microfibre towel before and found it rough, the most likely explanation is one of these three things, none of which has anything to do with microfibre as a material.
1. Low GSM or cheap construction
Budget microfibre bath towels are often made at 200 GSM or below, with thicker individual fibres that feel coarser against skin. At that density, the fabric rarely softens with washing. It just degrades. The difference between a 200 GSM gym-grade microfibre and a 350 GSM waffle-weave is significant, and it is the main reason people who "tried microfibre once and hated it" often come back around when they try a quality version.
2. Fabric softener clogging the fibres
This is the most common cause of a once-soft microfibre towel becoming rough. Fabric softener leaves a waxy coating on the ultra-fine fibres, reducing their ability to absorb moisture and changing their texture. The fix is straightforward: wash the towel once without any softener or built-in conditioner. A single cycle usually restores the original feel. Going forward, a gentle detergent is all microfibre ever needs.
3. High heat in the dryer
The ultra-fine fibres that make microfibre so absorbent are also sensitive to heat. A hot dryer cycle can partially melt and fuse the fibres together, which makes the towel feel stiff and rough permanently. Low heat or air drying protects the fibres and keeps the towel soft. Given that microfibre air dries quickly, a clothes line or caravan rail is genuinely the better option.
Two 350 GSM quick-dry bath towels. Compact enough for the caravan or camper, and both get softer the more you use them.
How to Care for Your Microfibre Towel to Keep It Soft
Five simple tips keep a quality microfibre towel performing well for years:
- Wash before first use, separately. Removes manufacturing residue and starts the softening process right away.
- Use a cool, gentle wash cycle, no hotter than 30°C. Higher temperatures stress the ultra-fine fibres over time.
- No fabric softener. Ever. Not even once. A small amount of gentle detergent is all you need.
- Air dry rather than tumble dry. The heat from a dryer can melt the microfibre and affect absorbency over time. Hung anywhere with airflow, the towel dries more quickly than traditional towels.
- Avoid rough surfaces, and take the towel down in strong winds. Rough contact can catch the stitching and cause fraying. If using the hanging loop outdoors or in the caravan, take it down before driving or in strong gusts.
Microfibre vs Cotton: Quick Comparison
| Feature | Microfibre: 350 GSM waffle-weave | Cotton terry |
|---|---|---|
| Initial feel | Soft, plush, slightly different from cotton | Fluffy and familiar immediately |
| Feel after 5 washes | Noticeably softer, more absorbent | Similar or slightly less fluffy |
| Drying speed (towel) | Air dry quicker than cotton terry | Several hours or tumble dry needed |
| Packed size | Folds to a quarter the size of cotton | Bulky |
| Sand behaviour | Shakes off easily (flat weave, no loops) | Traps sand in terry loops |
| Best suited to | Home bathroom, travel, caravanning, camping, beach | Home bathroom (familiar fluffy feel on first use) |
Frequently Asked Questions
Are microfibre towels scratchy on skin?
Quality microfibre towels at 350 GSM are not scratchy. They feel different from fluffy cotton terry - the dense waffle-weave construction absorbs moisture more actively, which some people notice on first use. That feel softens with washing, and after a few cycles most customers describe the towel as noticeably softer than when it arrived. Cheap microfibre at low GSM is a different story and can feel rough from the start.
Why does my microfibre towel feel rough after washing?
Fabric softener is the most common culprit. It coats the fine fibres and reduces both softness and absorbency over time. Wash the towel once with a gentle detergent and no softener and you will usually find it returns to its original feel. High dryer heat is the other common cause as it can permanently fuse the fine fibres together.
Do microfibre towels get softer over time?
Yes. Quality microfibre gets softer and more absorbent with every wash. The more you wash it, the more the fibres relax and open up. This is the opposite of cheap microfibre, which degrades with repeated washing. If your microfibre towel is getting rougher over time, fabric softener or a hot dryer is almost certainly the cause.
What are the disadvantages of microfibre towels?
The main adjustment is getting used to a different texture on first use. Microfibre feels more active against skin than fluffy cotton terry and that changes quickly with washing. They also need specific care: no fabric softener and air dry rather than tumble dry. That's it. On every other measure (how fast they dry you, how fast they dry themselves, how much space they take up, and how long they last) quality microfibre consistently outperforms cotton.
Which is better, a microfibre towel or a cotton towel?
Cotton has one real advantage: that familiar fluffy feel straight out of the packet. But that gap closes fast. After two or three washes, quality 350 GSM microfibre is noticeably softer and more absorbent, dries you faster, and hangs dry quickly rather than sitting damp on the rail for hours. It also lasts longer: microfibre gets better with every wash rather than slowly wearing flat. That is why customers who buy for the caravan so often come back for home use. Karen K, SA: "Bought for the caravan but now want more for home as well."
Ready to Feel the Difference?
Over 1,200 Australians have made the switch. Try one wash and see why they do not go back.
Quick Dry Bath Towel
350 GSM waffle-weave. Compact, quick-dry, available in a variety of colours. Gets softer with every wash.
2 Pack Bath Towel Bundle
Two colours, one great price. Perfect for couples or the whole caravan.
Free shipping on orders over $55 AUD. Ships from Perth, WA.