If you’re finding that your towels are emerging from the washing machine feeling coarse and rough, it’s likely due to a common laundry error – but fortunately, it’s a simple issue to rectify. Towels are highly absorbent, so it’s essential to be mindful of the amount of fabric softener used in a single wash cycle.
According to the experts at Secret Linen, excessive use of laundry products can lead to soap build-up in the fabric, which can’t be fully rinsed away. They explained: “If you use too much, it will simply be harder to remove during the rinse cycle. This will then accumulate over time and add to the stiffness of your lovely towels.”
However, if your towels have lost their softness, there’s no need to worry. The laundry experts suggest that adding white vinegar to your washing machine can quickly restore their softness, reports the Express.
They advised: “If your towels are very stiff and scratchy, try adding around 250ml of vinegar to a wash along with your laundry liquid. Add it to the washing machine drum just before you load and set the cycle going, don’t worry, it won’t make your washing smell like a bag of chips.”
It may seem unusual, but white vinegar is acidic, which enables it to remove soapy residue from fabric, restoring its fluffiness and absorbency. As most fabric softeners contain silicone, which creates a thin waxy coating on towels, white vinegar can dissolve this coating, making the towels soft once again.
How to use vinegar to make towels soft again
To wash your towels, load them into the washing machine but ensure not to overcrowd it; this allows the towels to rinse properly. Measure out 250ml of white vinegar instead of fabric softener and add enough laundry detergent into the drawer of your washing machine.
Next, set your towels to be washed at a warm temperature – either 30C or 40C. Avoid washing them on an excessively hot cycle. The expert advised: “Similar to harsh detergents, high temperatures strip the natural fibres of their natural softness. We suggest washing your bath towels at a cooler temperature, between 30 and 40 degrees.”
After the washing cycle finishes, dry your towels either by hanging them up or by using a tumble dryer set on a low heat. Be warned that a tumble dryer on a high setting can result in a “sandpaper effect” on towels, making them rough due to stripping away too much moisture.
If choosing the tumble dryer option, incorporate dryer balls to help fluff your towels. If you opt for air drying, avoid draping them over a radiator. The expert added: “I do suggest you avoid popping them on top of a radiator as this only leads to over-drying and crusty towels. Use a clothes horse next to a heater or even better, dry them outside on a windy day.”