Our towels are coming out of the wash harder and scratchier than ever before. What on earth are we doing wrong?

That's usually caused by using too much detergent. I use half of what the maker recommends, and I don't use fabric softner on my towels, and they come out clean and soft.

Take a washcloth or small hand towel and rinse and wring it out in cold water. If you get suds, you're using too much detergent.