Towels often become stiff and uncomfortable over time, but many people are unaware that this is due to washing them using fabric softener, which can leave a residue in the fabric
Towels can often turn hard and uncomfortable with use, but many don’t realise it’s due to incorrect washing. A frequent laundry blunder is utilising fabric softener on towels – given their high absorbency, the fibres retain soap rather than effectively getting cleaned.
Each wash aggravates the problem as additional soap makes the towels even more unyielding and challenging to clean, not to mention residue building up from products like sunscreen, body moisturisers, and perspiration. However, Michelle Dickson, a domestic guru and co-founder of Sunnyside Home, reveals that reviving your towels to their original “fresh, fluffy state” is simple using everyday household items.
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Michelle advises: “To deep clean your towels, you’ll need white vinegar to break down residue and kill bacteria, and baking soda to eliminate odours and boost freshness.”
Employing white vinegar in your wash is effective because its acidity helps to dislodge any lingering muck, rendering your towels significantly softer post-wash.
Baking soda is essential as it enhances the detergents capacity to cleanse thoroughly and is an excellent method for stripping greasy deposits from towels, such as perspiration or body oils, reports the Express.
Nevertheless, remember not to mix white vinegar and baking soda in the washing machine simultaneously, as they counteract each other, fizz up, and generate nothing more than salty water.
An ideal approach is conducting two separate washes. Begin by placing your towels in the washing machine, add baking soda along with your usual detergent, and start the cycle. Start by washing your towels on a hot cycle of at least 60C which will help break down any residues embedded in the fabric.
It’s also important to choose a gentle laundry detergent; harsh liquid detergents can leave behind residues, while powdered varieties may not dissolve completely during cold washes, resulting in towel build-up.
Michelle recommends: “I prefer to use concentrated Norwex laundry detergent, which is free from phosphates and fillers, and it does an amazing job dissolving grease, grime and dirt to get your laundry cleaner and brighter.”
Post-wash, pour white vinegar into the drawer where you’d usually put fabric softener and run another hot cycle with the towels.
After this second hot wash, you’ll notice your towels are much cleaner and softer. Then, hang them up to dry in the sunshine or tumble dry on low heat for best results.
Once dried, you’ll have incredibly fluffy towels that are thoroughly cleansed, ready for a comfortable day at the beach without the dread of a scratchy towel.
