'Amazing' household item will make hard towels soft and fluffy again in one wash

Towels can become hard and scratchy over time due to harsh washing, but there's a simple household item that can restore their softness. The stiffness in old towels is often caused by a build-up of soap residue, body oils and other particles within the fabric, which can occur if too many towels are crammed into the washing machine or excessive fabric softener is used.

Fans of Sophie Hinchliffe, the UK's beloved cleaning guru known as 'Mrs Hinch', have shared an easy method to rejuvenate towels and make them feel "brand new" after just one wash. In the Facebook group 'Mrs Hinch Cleaning Tips', a member recently enquired: "How do people wash and dry towels to keep them soft and fluffy? ".

The answer is surprisingly straightforward plain white vinegar, a condiment you probably already have in your kitchen, reports the Express.

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One group member advised: "Use white vinegar instead of fabric conditioner. Gives fluffy, soft towels." Another added: "White vinegar instead of conditioner! Really makes your towels fluffy again."

A third person suggested: "I use white vinegar in the rinse cycle. It takes out any residue left in your towels and fluffs them up. If you use this method you'll have no more crunchy towels.

They concluded: "It's amazing and the cheapest product I've found to restore them."

Vinegar, with its acetic acid content, naturally breaks down and dissolves any residue in your towels, proving particularly effective at eliminating fabric softener buildup due to their alkaline nature. The acidic properties of vinegar help balance the pH of the fabric, leaving them feeling incredibly soft and odour-free.

It's recommended to run a hot water laundry cycle as the heat aids in opening up the fibres for better vinegar penetration. Once the wash is complete, transfer them from the washing machine to the dryer on a low to medium heat setting.

If your towels still feel hard, consider running a second laundry cycle and add baking soda to the detergent drawer to remove any remaining residue. This will leave your towels soft and fluffy once again, enhancing their comfort and absorbency levels.