Laundry can often be a chore, particularly when it comes to items such as towels that require extra attention during washing.

Households typically notice their towels becoming stiff after two or three washes, which usually results from soapy residue or over-drying.

Not everyone is a fan of the rough texture of towels. To remedy this and return towels to their fluffy state after just one wash without relying on vinegar or baking soda, the Instagram page @thecleangroup suggests a natural and simple method.

They shared in their post: “Airbnb towels get used and washed far more than your average household towels, but this is a secret we learned whilst working for an Airbnb host.

“I can 100 per cent confirm that these two ingredients will restore all the original fluffiness to your towels. It’s not what you might think – no bicarb or white vinegar.”

They suggest using soda crystals and tea tree oil, explaining: “Because soda crystals are very alkaline, they break down the residues left by your detergent that build up on your towels over time.

Person pouring soap into washing machine
A buildup of soap can stiffen towels (Image: Getty Images)

“Tea tree oil is antibacterial – so it is a natural disinfectant. It also removes trapped moisture build up in the fibres, helping to make your towels 100 per cent fluffy again.”

The experts recommend using liquid soda crystals for this tip as they are “much easier to use and store”.

To apply this method, begin by adding a capful of your detergent to the drawer, or if you’re using liquid pods, place them directly into the drum. sdxIntroduce a few drops of tea tree oil into the drawer and then set the washing machine to run a 60 degree cycle.

After the cycle finishes, give the towels a good shake to fluff up the fibres and hang them to dry on an airer with a dehumidifier nearby. If you’re using a tumble dryer, put them in for just 10 minutes on a low heat.