Over time, towels can become stiff and uncomfortable to use, with their absorbency decreasing. Using fabric softener to wash towels may not yield the desired results like it does with clothing and could even reduce the towels’ absorbency. So, what methods can revive stiff towels?
British influencer Sophie Hinchcliffe, known as Mrs. Hinch, created the Facebook group “Mrs Hinch Cleaning Tips” for discussions on various household cleaning issues.
Despite white vinegar being considered a great natural cleaner, some fans of the Facebook group reported that using white vinegar to clean towels didn’t have the expected softening effect and left the towels still feeling stiff.
Sarah Bray, one member, inquired about how to keep bath and hand towels soft like new. Her towels often felt as stiff as cardboard, and even using white vinegar didn’t solve the problem.
Most users advised against using fabric softener. Some recommended using sodium carbonate (commonly known as washing soda or soda ash), a powder with higher alkalinity than baking soda, often used for industrial purposes.
Leonie Hurd advised, “Don’t use fabric softeners, as they are the culprit for making towels less absorbent.”
Mary Robinson shared her experience, saying, “I was in the same situation. I stopped using fabric softeners and switched to sodium carbonate.”
Carmel Gardiner mentioned that after stopping the use of fabric softener and switching to sodium carbonate, her towels had become very soft.
Margaret Butcher shared a method using sodium carbonate, saying, “Soak your towels in warm water with some sodium carbonate for at least 30 minutes, then wash them in the washing machine. This will make your towels clean and soft again.”
After washing towels, it’s recommended to shake them well to help separate the fibers. If the weather is warm or windy, drying towels outdoors in fresh air is beneficial. Ensure to lay them flat or spread them out on a clothes rack to increase the drying surface area, allowing them to dry quickly.