There’s nothing quite like the sensation of wrapping yourself in a plush towel after a shower, but improper washing can quickly rob them of their softness. Towels can become stiff and abrasive if too much fabric softener is used during laundry, as the absorbent material struggles to rinse out the excess liquid, leading to a soapy build-up that makes your towels feel rough. For those with white towels, these can get stained or turn dull and dingy after a few washes.
However, Olivia, an expert from Clotheslyne, has revealed a simple trick to restore your laundry’s softness and brightness – using lemon juice in your washing machine. She explained: “The citric acid present in lemon juice breaks down the residues left by detergents or soaps. Another appealing aspect is that this citrus powerhouse leaves laundry whiter with a refreshing scent.”
Olivia further noted: “As a bonus, the same approach applies to your towels and bedding. Using lemon juice in the rinse cycle can help to keep them soft and fluffy, promoting a cosy and inviting atmosphere in your home.”
Lemon juice’s acidity can dissolve residue left over from fabric softener build-up, naturally relaxing the fibres to make them less rigid.
Hard water, characterised by high levels of minerals such as magnesium and calcium in a washing machine, can also cause laundry to feel stiff. The citric acid in lemon juice can naturally break down these minerals, helping to soften your towels and other laundry items.
Olivia stated, “Lemon juice also acts as a natural remedy for hard water. Its acidic property demineralises the hard water and ensures the laundry is soft and comfortable.”
To use lemon juice, begin by washing your towels as usual without fabric softener and avoid overloading the washing machine.
After the initial wash, set the washing machine to a rinse cycle and add 60ml of lemon juice to the detergent drawer before commencing the new cycle.
When drying the towels, proceed with caution. If using a tumble dryer, select a low heat setting and incorporate dryer balls to enhance towel fluffiness.
Alternatively, if air-drying the towels, a gentle breeze can help fluff the fibres and sunlight can help brighten white towels.
However, be mindful not to leave the towels outside for more than a day, as prolonged sunlight exposure can cause roughness. Upon drying, the towels should be rejuvenated and soft to the touch.