Towels can become hard and rough for several reasons, including washing them with excessive detergent, drying them outside, and living in an area with hard water. While some people prefer rough towels, others prefer soft and fluffy ones, especially when hosting guests.
According to Deyan Dimitrov, the CEO of Laundryheap, baking soda and white vinegar are extremely effective in softening towels. The pro said: “Both common household ingredients can be used separately as ways to transform tough towels into soft ones.
“Simply add 250ml of white vinegar to the washing machine drum alongside the liquid detergent you normally use and dry as normal.”
You can also use bicarbonate of soda to make your towels soft and fluffy. The expert noted: “Mix eight tablespoons of bicarbonate of soda with your laundry detergent before putting it in the washing machine.”
According to Deyan, this will help to loosen up the towel fibres and get rid of any dirt, keeping towels “as good as new”.
Many people often worry about using white vinegar in their laundry because of the strong scent, but towels are not left smelling of vinegar after washing.
White vinegar can be purchased from many supermarkets, including Tesco for 35p, and hotels often use it.
Other ways to ensure towels come out soft and fluffy include washing them separately to towels.
The founder of Piglet in Bed, Jessica Hanley, said: “Washing towels with clothes can transfer a lot of bacteria between each item in the washing cycle.
“Make sure you shake any excess water from your towels before placing them in the dryer, as this will help fluff the material and keep them absorbent.”
