As winter tightens its grip on the UK, many Brits are facing the familiar struggle of drying towels and laundry indoors. The wet and miserable weather makes outdoor drying impractical, but hanging damp textiles inside can create excess humidity, leading to condensation and mould problems.
The One-Second Solution
Fortunately, a renowned cleaning expert has shared a remarkably simple solution that takes barely a moment to execute. Lyndsey, known as The Queen of Clean and a regular contributor to programmes like ITV This Morning and Good Morning Britain, has demonstrated this technique to her 154,000 social media followers.
In a recent TikTok video that garnered over 400 likes, Lyndsey posed the question: "Why I shake my towels when drying indoors?" She provided a clear explanation in her caption, stating that giving towels a quick shake before hanging them helps fluff up the fibres, which in turn makes them dry faster and maintain their softness.
When and How to Shake Your Towels
The expert recommends incorporating this shaking ritual into your laundry routine on three key occasions to ensure your towels remain luxuriously soft.
Before machine drying: A good shake before placing towels in the dryer helps pre-fluff the fibres and prevents them from clumping together.
After washing: Once they emerge from the washing machine, shake them again to maximise fluffiness before you proceed to fold or hang them.
When air-drying: Most crucially for winter, you must shake towels before hanging them on a drying rack or line to accelerate drying time and maintain that desirable soft texture.
Additional Tips for Towel Maintenance
Beyond the shaking technique, Lyndsey suggests several other methods to keep your towels feeling fresh and soft against your skin.
Consider using white vinegar instead of fabric softener during washes, as this helps remove residue that can make towels stiff. Always ensure you're using the correct wash settings and avoid the common mistake of using too much detergent.
To remove built-up residue, occasionally wash your towels with a cup of baking soda. Finally, when drying towels, be careful not to over-dry them, and remember to shake them out to fluff the fibres for that just-bought softness.
