A Facebook page dedicated to Mrs Hinch and all things cleaning has revealed a simple way to keep towels soft and fluffy — and you don't need a tumble dryer or to spend a penny.
The group, Mrs Hinch Cleaning Tips, has almost 600k members. Mrs Hinch, aka Sophie Rose Hinchliffe, is a British social media influencer known for sharing home cleaning tips on Instagram.
Member's query and responses
Taking to the group, one member asked: "How do we keep our towels fluffy and soft if you don't have a tumble dryer? I recently bought some beautiful white fluffy towels in Qatar. I've washed them per instructions on label and used washing powder and white vinegar, no fabric softener, then hung up to dry on the airer. They don't feel soft anymore."
In response, people suggested a wide range of tips and tricks, with one suggesting: "Always give them a really good shake when you get out of the washing machine, turning as you do, it fluffs up the fibres."
Shaking method
Another suggested: "I've stopped using the tumble dryer, testing a new routine out. Currently using half cap softener and half cap white vinegar. Drying using an airer and rotating. Shake them like mad in all directions before folding. I don't think they are ever as fluffy as when pinged in dryer, but shaking works." She added: "My Dunelm bath sheets are 20 years old, though still going strong."
Another also suggested shaking it "within an inch of their lives" with another writing: "Saw a video where she just shook the towels really hard to get the fibres lifted and then dried over the washing line. Apparently, they stayed fluffy. It was a workout with big bath towels, but it does work as I gave it a go."
Avoid fabric softener
Avoid fabric softener, though, as while lots of people think it keeps towels soft, it actually does the opposite. According to marthastewart.com, the product works by coating fabric fibres, making them feel smoother while reducing wrinkles and static. But because towels are made to absorb water, that layer can hinder their absorbency and leave them feeling less fluffy.
They add: "The residue left behind by liquid fabric softeners builds up over time, creating a water-repellent barrier on fibres. Body oils, skincare products, detergent residue, and minerals from hard water can all accumulate within the fibres, too, adding to the sticky mix and leading to towels that feel stiff, smell musty, or further lose absorbency."
