Hard towels will ‘soften permanently’ if you ditch vinegar for 1 ‘magic’ natural item

Hard towels will ‘soften permanently’ if you ditch vinegar for 1 ‘magic’ natural item (Image: Getty)

White vinegar is often hailed as a marvel by enthusiasts, making waves across laundry and cleaning communities.

Despite its popularity, some followers of cleaning influencer Mrs Hinch have reported less than stellar outcomes, especially in relation to towels.

One issue that comes up frequently is towels losing their softness, becoming stiff and scratchy rapidly after washing, prompting one dissatisfied Mrs Hinch fan to seek advice on Facebook.

Expressing her discontent with white vinegar's performance with towels, Sarah Bray inquired on the Mrs Hinch Cleaning Tips and Tricks Facebook group: “Keeping bath and hand towels soft. How do you keep them as good as new? Mine are like cardboard most of the time and vinegars not fixing it.”

Responses from the community mostly suggested avoiding fabric conditioners, with several members recommending replacement with soda crystals.

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Responses from the community mostly suggested avoiding fabric conditioner (Image: Getty)

Leonie Hurd alerted Sarah: “Don’t use fabric conditioner as that’s what makes them less absorbent.”

Similarly, Mary Blatchford advised against fabric conditioner, stating: “I never use fabric conditioner as towels do not dry one as well.”

Adding to the conversation, Mary Robinson shared: “Mine are the same, I have stopped using fabric softener and use soda crystals. This stuff works like magic.”

Margaret Butcher urged: “Don't use fabric softener! That coats to fibres and makes them unable to absorb water.”

Summarising a solution, she added: “Soak your towels with some soda crystals and warm water and leave for at least 30 minutes before throwing them in the washing machine. It makes the towels nice and soft.”

Soda crystals can be added straight to the washing machine or added to towels soaking in water (Image: Getty)

Carmel Gardiner made a compelling case for an alternative to fabric conditioner, stating: “Once I stopped using fabric conditioner and switched to soda crystals instead regularly in the washing machine - my towels are now permanently so soft.”

When queried about the quantity of soda crystals used, she shared her method: “I put a little soda crystals in all three compartments. It softens the water and is good to clean the machine too - 60 wash.”

Adding to the conversation, Hayley Yates shared her positive experience: “I use soda crystals with my towels to keep them soft. I had a few towels that were going a bit crispy but doing this soon sorted it within the first wash.”

Mandy Reed added: “I didn’t think soda crystals could do a better job than the white vinegar. I was wrong. Since washing my towels with them and no longer fabric softener, they’ve softened permanently.”

Post-wash care instructions include giving towels a vigorous shake to fluff up the fibres and optimise drying conditions by hanging them outdoors on a warm or windy day to benefit from the fresh air.

For indoor drying, it's recommended to spread the towels either flat on a rack or hang them stretched out, maximising surface area for faster and even drying.