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To do our bit for the planet, we have been hanging our washing on a line in the back garden rather than using our electric tumble dryer. Thicker materials such as bath towels and socks are hard and abrasive when dried on the line, in comparison to the soft and fluffy feel of the tumble-dried versions. Why does this happen?

Ronan Tierney, Enniscorthy, Ireland

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This article appeared in print under the headline “Laundry stiffener”