Wrapping up in a soft, fluffy towel from the shower is a comforting experience. However, limescale, friction, laundry detergent buildup and constant contact with oil and dirt can degrade the fabric, leaving towels rough and stiff over time.
According to the cleaning experts at Creative Housewives, you need two specific products to make your towels “softer and fresher than the day you bought them”. While towels in the shops may feel soft and fluffy, this is only because they have chemicals on them to make them feel that way. The cleaning pros claimed: “When you’re done with these steps, you’ll have soft towels without chemicals making them feel that way.”
To soften towels, put them in the washing machine and add one cup of baking soda in place of detergent.
Start the washing machine on the hottest cycle and let it run through. Make sure to avoid washing white and coloured towels together.
When the full cycle is complete, it’s then time to add one cup of vinegar in place of laundry soap.
Just like earlier, start your washing machine on the hottest cycle and let it run through. Then, move towels from the washer to the dryer and dry them thoroughly.
Both vinegar and baking soda are safe and natural fabric softeners which you can use in place of a fabric conditioner.
The cleaning pros said: “You’re going to love how soft your towels are and they won’t smell like vinegar at all once dry.”
It’s really important to make sure your towels are completely dry before folding them and putting them away. If they’re even a little bit wet they can start to smell. Having them folded makes it nearly impossible for them to finish drying.
It’s recommended to repeat this process every four to six weeks, or more regularly depending on how often they are being washed.
Aside from softening towels, vinegar and baking soda also strip towels of nasty musty odours, making them smell fresh too.
