Keeping towels soft and clean can be a real challenge, but adding a scoop of one natural item to your washing machine drum could be the simple solution.
When it comes to laundering towels, white vinegar has long been regarded as a smart trick for maintaining their softness and cleanliness. The mild acidity found in distilled white vinegar dissolves laundry detergent residue and serves as a natural fabric conditioner.
Yet a couple of years back, I made the switch from this natural cleaning method to something I believe performs even better, and cleaning experts are in agreement.
Rather than pouring white vinegar into the detergent compartment to soften my towels, I now prefer to add a scoop of soda crystals directly into the washing machine drum.
This approach means the towels emerge from the washer feeling cleaner and softer, even before they’ve completely dried. I purchase the Dri-Pak Soda Crystals from Home Bargains, which cost £1.79.
I rely on soda crystals throughout numerous areas of my home due to their versatility. It’s a natural salt with highly alkaline properties, enabling it to efficiently dissolve fabric conditioner and other oils with remarkable ease.
Laundering towels can prove quite tricky, particularly as oily soap build-up can be difficult to remove without turning to aggressive cleaners that could potentially stain or damage the material.
Yet by incorporating soda crystals, you can strip away any residue attached to your towels, meaning they emerge from the washing machine fresher, softer, and more absorbent.
I’ve owned some of my towels for nearly 10 years now, but they don’t feel coarse and stiff as you might anticipate.
How I use soda crystals to keep towels soft
To start, it’s important to wash towels separately from clothing and bedding. Garments tend to shed a considerable amount of lint during a wash cycle, which can result in fluff clinging to your towels.
Next, add a scoop of soda crystals into the drum alongside a single laundry detergent pod before loading your towels.
Steer clear of fabric softener when washing towels, as it can cause a greasy soap residue to build up. It’s worth avoiding fabric softener altogether during laundry, given the unpleasant texture it can leave on fabrics.
Set your washing machine to a hot 60-degree cycle to give the towels a thorough clean and banish any bacteria.
Once the cycle has ended, run an additional rinse cycle, which will help eliminate any remaining soap residue that may have been loosened from the towels.
When the washing machine has finished, hang the towels outside to dry in the sunshine at this time of year. If outdoor drying isn’t an option, placing the towels on an airer alongside a dehumidifier is your best shout.
