Why Do Clothes Feel Stiff When Air Dried But Soft Coming From the Dryer?

The difference between air-drying and tumble-drying is that air-drying keeps the cellulose fibers from reforming their hydrogen bonds more effectively, which makes the towel feel a bit fluffy. Tumble drying, on the other hand, causes the cellulose fibers to re-bond more firmly, which makes the towel feel rougher.

If you dont mind being patient, air drying is a much more environmentally friendly way to dry your clothes, as it will reduce your carbon footprint and electricity usage. On the other hand, for those who prefer speed and convenience, tumble drying is a fast and reliable way of drying your clothes, and ensuring that they dont come out feeling scratchy.