Towels can get stiff and rough over time if you wash them too vigorously, but you can easily soften them with one household item.
Old towels become floppy as soap residue, body oils, and other particles build up on the fabric if you overstuff your washer with them or use too much fabric softener.
Luckily, a fan of Britain's most popular cleaner, Sophie Hinchliffe, affectionately known as “Mrs Hitch”, recently shared with us a simple cleaning tip that will have your towels looking “new” again in just one wash.
One frustrated user recently asked in the Facebook group Mrs Hitch's Cleaning Hacks: “How do you wash and dry your towels so they stay soft and fluffy?”
In the end, the solution turned out to be simple white vinegar, something you likely already have stored somewhere in your kitchen, that will change over time.
One user said: “Use white vinegar instead of fabric softener for fluffy, soft towels.”
Another person said: “Using white vinegar instead of conditioner really makes your towels fluffy.”
Another person commented: “I use white vinegar in the rinse cycle. It removes any residual dirt from the towels and makes them fluffier. No more dry towels this way.”
“This is a great product. The cheapest restoration product I have found so far.”
Vinegar contains acetic acid, which naturally breaks down and dissolves any residue left on towels, but because towels tend to be alkaline, it's extremely effective at removing fabric softener buildup.
The acidic nature of vinegar helps balance the pH of fabrics, making them incredibly soft and eliminating odors.
Simply place the stiff towels in the washing machine and wash as normal, but add white vinegar to the detergent drawer instead of fabric softener.
Be sure to wash in hot water, as heat opens up the fibers and allows the vinegar to penetrate more easily.
Once the wash is complete, remove the garment from the washing machine and place in the dryer on a low to medium heat setting.
If your towels are still stiff, run a second wash cycle and add some baking soda to your detergent drawer, which should remove any remaining residue.
Your towels will become soft and fluffy again, making them comfortable to use and even more absorbent.
