Have you ever bought new towels that become hard after just a few washes? Well, then you're probably using too much detergent and fabric softener. If you want to learn some tricks on how to make hard towels soft again without fabric softener, read on!
After a few months, even the nicest towels can start to look stiff and scratchy. This is because of the way they are washed and dried. Hard water can also play a role. It contains a large amount of dissolved minerals, especially calcium and magnesium. The higher the concentration of these minerals, the harder the water and therefore your laundry. To find out how to soften hard towels without fabric softener using home remedies, read on!
Add half a cup of baking soda directly to the laundry
Baking soda is a great natural laundry detergent and an essential part of your kitchen cupboard. It is non-toxic, works wonders in removing grease or stains (Tipp: It is ideal for cleaning mattresses) and can neutralize odors that are on textiles. It's also a good choice if you have sensitive skin or allergies.
Danger:Be careful not to confuse baking soda with bicarbonate. You can buy baking soda in any regular supermarket.
- Add half a cup of baking soda directly to the washing machine drum and sprinkle over your towels to keep them naturally clean and soft. Do not add detergent.
Add 1/2 cup of white vinegar to the rinse cycle
Another great multi-purpose household product is white vinegar - and it's very inexpensive too. White vinegar softens your laundry by breaking down buildup in the laundry. This makes it soft and eliminates the scratchy feeling you sometimes get after too many washes.
- Add 1/2 cup of white vinegar to your rinse cycle instead of fabric softener to dissolve any residue left in the towels. Don't worry, when your towels dry, the vinegar smell will disappear and your towels will smell fresh, clean and feel soft.
Tipp: If you hang your freshly washed vinegar towels on a drying rack, they may still feel a little stiff after drying. Before you fold the dry towel, you should wring it out briefly to loosen the fibers.
Vinegar for laundry – What benefits does it have for clothes? You can do thatfind out here!
Add 2-3 drops of essential oil
Add essential oil to keep your towels smelling good.
- If you have a favorite essential oil like lavender, sweet orange, or peppermint, add 2-3 drops to the rinse cycle when you add the white vinegar. This gives your laundry a sweet, subtle scent that lasts for a few days.
Notice: Skip this step if you have sensitive skin.
Hard towels become soft again without fabric softener – useful tricks & tips
- Dry the towels in the dryer:For super soft, fluffy towels, use the tumble dryer. Use the setting specifically for towels or choose “medium setting” and make sure they are completely dry before putting them away. Alternatively, you can dry them on a drying rack and then when they are almost dry, tumble dry for the last 5-10 minutes.
Notice: Skip this step if you want to save money or are concerned about environmental impact. - Set the temperature of your washing machine to 30 degrees:It's often a good idea to wash towels and bed linen at 60 degrees to get rid of unpleasant bacteria, grease or stains. However, to keep your towels soft for longer, you should choose 30 degrees. Washing at a lower temperature is more environmentally friendly and helps keep textiles soft.
- Reduce the load: If you put too many towels in the washing machine at once, you won't have enough space to rinse out all the dirt. The dryer should not be overloaded either. Without enough air to properly inflate the fabric, your towels will become stiff and matted. Stick to two or three bath towels at a time, along with hand towels and washcloths.
- Play ball: Throw a few unused onesPut tennis balls or dryer balls in the dryerto remove clumps and make your towels softer and fluffier. Consider it a well-deserved massage for your hard-working cloths.
- Clean your washing machine regularly, especially a front-loading washing machine, to remove detergent and fabric softener residues that promote the growth of mold and mildew and cause strong odors that are easily transferred to towels and destroy their fabric.
Also interesting:Get towels soft with salt: This is how they become fluffy again without fabric softener
