Cleaning fanatics ditch white vinegar for 1 natural item to stop towels going 'like cardboard'

Yellow towel in washing machine
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White vinegar is often hailed by cleaning enthusiasts as a versatile solution for laundry and various other household cleaning tasks.

Despite its reputation, some followers of cleaning influencer Mrs Hinch have voiced dissatisfaction with the results it delivers, particularly concerning towels.

It appears that even after a single wash, towels are prone to becoming hardened and rough, which prompted a member of the Mrs Hinch community to share her grievance on social media.

Unhappy with how white vinegar treated her towels, Sarah Bray posed a question on the Mrs Hinch Cleaning Tips and Tricks Facebook group: "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."

The responses predominantly advised against the use of fabric conditioner, with several members suggesting replacing it with soda crystals instead, reports the Express.

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Leonie Hurd advised: "Don't use fabric conditioner as that's what makes them less absorbent."

Mary Blatchford expressed: "I never use fabric conditioner as towels do not dry one as well."

Meanwhile, Mary Robinson shared her own experience: "Mine are the same, I have stopped using fabric softener and use soda crystals."

Margaret Butcher offered her tip: "Don't use fabric softener! That coats to fibres and makes them unable to absorb water."

Adding further to the advice, she recommended: "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 revealed, "Once I stopped using fabric conditioner and switched to soda crystals instead regularly in the washing machine - my towels are now permanently so soft."

On being quizzed about the quantity she uses, Carmel elaborated, "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 shared her experience as well: "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."

Post-wash, give your towels an energetic shake to loosen the fibres. If you've got sunny or breezy weather on your side, hang them out to bask in the embrace of the great outdoors.

When drying your towels inside, either lay them flat over a clothes horse or ensure they're hanging without crumples. This practice maximises drying area for a speedier air-dry.