White vinegar is a powerhouse of an ingredient when it comes to natural cleaning options.
From unblocking drains and removing air fryer grease to making windows sparkle, white vinegar can do it all.
This acid liquid can also act as a natural fabric softener by removing trapped body oil and detergent residue that leaves your laundry – particularly towels – feeling scratchy and stiff.
To share the ”proper” way to use white vinegar to soften towels, the laundry experts at The Fine Cotton Company have shared their “tried and tested” method.
They said: “White Vinegar is made up of properties that make it a great tool for cleaning many household items.
“Don’t let the smell put you off, as using it in your wash will result in softer towels. What’s more, any original white vinegar smell will fade after washing.
“Washing towels with white vinegar breaks down any built-up residue that fabric softeners can leave behind.”
For their recommended method, use a hot cycle to wash your towels with one cup of white vinegar.
They urged households to avoid using any other fabric detergents, softeners or conditioners alongside the vinegar.
The experts said: “A fabric softener may be great for keeping clothes and other laundry items smelling fresh and feeling soft but cloud-like towels may not be achieved with fabric softener.
“Most fabric softeners coat towels in an oily layer because of their ingredients. As it sticks to each fibre, the towel feels greasy and becomes less absorbent, which in turn causes more problems.
“For the best results when cleaning towels, avoid using fabric softener. Instead, use the white vinegar method to prevent any unwanted roughness.”
However, if you’d prefer to use a fabric softener in your wash instead of white vinegar, use a small amount and finish drying in a tumble dryer to “fluff up the towels” instead.
It is recommended to wash your towels after every two to three uses as leaving them too long can result in a build-up of mould, yeast and E. coli.
After using a towel, the damp conditions are the perfect breeding ground for bacteria so lay your towel over a bar to dry fully to avoid this.
