Towels can easily become stiff and scratchy, but you can quickly make them fluffy again with an incredibly cheap ingredient. Old towels become stiff due to a build-up of soap residue, body oils, and other particles in the fabric, which often happens if too many towels have been stuffed into the washing machine or too much fabric softener has been used.
Luckily, fans of Sophie Hinchliffe, Britain’s most popular cleaner who goes by ‘Mrs. Hinch,’ have recently shared a simple cleaning method to revive towels to make them feel “brand new” with just one wash. On the Facebook group, ‘Mrs. Hinch’s Cleaning Hacks,’ one frustrated user asked how to keep towels soft and fluffy. The solution is simple: white vinegar, a household item you likely already have in your kitchen.
White vinegar contains acetic acid, which naturally breaks down and dissolves any residue in your towels. It is very effective at getting rid of fabric softener buildup, as fabric softeners tend to be alkaline. The acidic nature of vinegar helps balance the pH of the fabric, leaving the towels feeling incredibly soft and also removes odors.
To soften your towels, place them in the washing machine, and instead of using fabric softener, pour white vinegar into the detergent drawer. Run a normal wash cycle with hot water to help the vinegar penetrate the fibers. Once the wash is done, transfer the towels to the dryer on a low to medium heat setting. If the towels still feel hard, run a second cycle with baking soda in the detergent drawer to remove any remaining residue.
By following this simple method, your towels will be soft and fluffy once again, making them much more comfortable and absorbent to use. So, next time you notice your towels becoming stiff, reach for the white vinegar in your kitchen to bring them back to life.