White vinegar is often hailed as a versatile household hero by many cleaning enthusiasts for various laundry and cleaning challenges.
Nevertheless, some followers of cleaning sensation Mrs Hinch have expressed disappointment with its performance, especially when it comes to towels. Concerned that they can become stiff and ‘like cardboard’ after regular washing, Mrs Hinch fans raised the question on a Facebook group.
Unsatisfied with using white vinegar, Sarah Bray took to the ‘Mrs Hinch Cleaning Tips and Tricks’ Facebook group asking, “Keeping bath and hand towels soft. How do you keep them as good as new? Mine are like cardboard most of the time and vinegars not fixing it.”
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In response, the consensus in the comments encouraged Sarah to ditch fabric conditioner, while others proposed replacing it with soda crystals, reports the Express.
Leonie Hurd advised: “Don’t use fabric conditioner as that’s what makes them less absorbent,” while Mary Blatchford added “I never use fabric conditioner as towels do not dry one as well.”
Mary Robinson also shared her experience, saying: “Mine are the same, I have stopped using fabric softener and use soda crystals.”
Margaret Butcher chimed in saying: “Don’t use fabric softener! That coats to fibres and makes them unable to absorb water.
“Soak your towels with some soda crystals and warm water and leave for at least 30 minutes before throwing in the washing machine. It makes the towels nice and soft.”
Carmel Gardiner claimed: “Once I stopped using fabric conditioner and switched to soda crystals instead regularly in the washing machine – my towels are now permanently so soft.”
When quizzed on how much she uses, Carmel explained: “I put a little soda crystals in all three compartments. It softens the water and is good to clean the machine too – 60 wash.”
Hayley Yates chimed in saying: “I use soda crystals with my towels to keep them soft. I had a few towels that were going a bit crispy but doing this soon sorted it within the first wash.”
After laundering, shaking your towels out will help fluff up the fibres. On sunny or breezy days, let your towels air dry outside to imbibe the freshness of the outdoors.
When drying towels inside, spread them out fully over a drying rack or hang them neatly. This maximises airflow and speeds up the drying process, avoiding that musty smell.