Hard towels can be made soft and fluffy again with a simple addition to the wash: half a cup of baking soda, also known as bicarbonate of soda. Cleaning influencer @home.with.leanne shared the hack, stating, "Your towels aren't old; you're just washing them wrong." She said the ingredient transformed her towels "from stiff and scratchy to soft, fluffy, hotel-level again."
Why towels become stiff
Hard water, friction, and continuous exposure to oils and grime can progressively deteriorate the fabric, making towels feel rough and stiff. Detergent residue also builds up gradually, especially in denser materials like towels, leading to an undesirable stiff texture.
The baking soda method
For best results, add approximately half a cup of baking soda directly into the drum with your towels before starting a wash cycle. The method breaks down persistent detergent residue, making towels substantially softer and fluffier.
Leanne recommends using half your usual amount of detergent, which is generally enough for washing towels effectively. No specialist products or complicated steps are necessary—simply place towels in the machine, add baking soda, and run a warm wash cycle.
Temperature matters
Washing towels at the appropriate temperature is also vital, which Leanne says is 40°C. Warm water provides the perfect balance: hot enough to thoroughly clean and remove oils and residue, yet gentle enough to protect the fibres from damage.
Those who have tried the method report that results are immediately noticeable. Towels emerge softer and smelling cleaner, almost as if they've been transformed to hotel-quality standard overnight. One user commented, "Such a good and low tox hack, and nothing better than a fluffy, soft, white bath towel."
