The “amazing” household item will make hard towels soft and fluffy again in one wash

Towels can become hard and scratchy over time from harsh washing, but there’s a simple household item that can restore their softness. Stiffness in old towels is often caused by a buildup of soap scum, body oils, and other particles in the fabric, which can occur if too many towels are crammed into the washer or if excessive fabric softener is used.

Fans of Sophie Hinchliffe, the beloved UK cleaning guru known as ‘Mrs Hinch’, have shared an easy way to rejuvenate towels and make them feel ‘new’ after just one wash. In the Mrs Hinch Cleaning Tips Facebook group, a member recently asked, “How do people wash and dry towels to keep them soft and fluffy?”.

The answer is surprisingly simple 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 softener. It provides fluffy and soft towels”. Another added: “White vinegar instead of conditioner! Makes your towels fluffy again.”

A third person suggested, “I use white vinegar in the rinse cycle. Removes any residue left in towels and inflates them. If you use this method, you will no longer have crispy towels.

They concluded, “It’s amazing and the cheapest product we’ve found to restore them.”

Vinegar, with its acetic acid content, naturally breaks down and dissolves any residue from towels, proving particularly effective at removing fabric softener build-up due to their alkaline nature. The acidic properties of vinegar help balance the fabric’s pH, leaving them feeling incredibly soft and odor-free.

It is recommended that you run a wash cycle with warm water as the heat helps to open up the fibers for better vinegar penetration. Once the wash is complete, transfer them from the washer to the dryer on low to medium heat.

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