How Washing Soda Transforms Towel Laundry
Adding one simple item to your laundry routine could transform your towels, removing soap build-up, leaving them cleaner, softer and more absorbent. Towels can be laden with bacteria, mainly because numerous people mistakenly use fabric conditioner when washing, which can result in excess soap residue that blocks the fibres. This soap build-up forms a waxy layer that might go undetected at first, but ultimately leaves towels feeling rather rigid, smelling musty and undermining their hygiene.
Catherine Wrench from Planet Friendly Living has shared a simple remedy to revive towels and wash them properly, needing nothing more than a box of washing soda. Catherine explained: "Washing soda has a number of properties that make it especially useful around the home. It is particularly effective at breaking down acids and oils, softening water, cutting through soap scum, and removing stains."
Why Washing Soda Works
Correctly washing towels poses difficulties, as greasy soap accumulation proves challenging to remove without turning to harsh cleaners that risk fading or harming the fabric. While washing soda is remarkably powerful, it's a naturally occurring salt with high alkalinity, which allows it to effortlessly break down fabric conditioner and other oils, reports the Liverpool Echo. Using washing soda removes any deposits clinging to towels, ensuring they come out of the wash cleaner, softer and considerably more absorbent. Washing soda, also referred to as sodium carbonate or soda crystals, delivers a thorough clean for towels without requiring multiple washes, returning them to an almost-new state.
Proper Towel Washing Method
Firstly, make sure you're washing towels separately from other items of clothing. Garments typically shed considerable amounts of lint while being washed, which can attach itself to your towels. Place the towels into the washing machine and pour roughly 120ml of washing soda straight into the drum. Add a modest amount of laundry detergent to the drawer, but steer clear of adding fabric softener to towel loads, as this can lead to greasy soap accumulation.
Programme the washing machine to a hot cycle at 60°C or 90°C to properly clean the towels and destroy bacteria. When the cycle concludes, run another rinse cycle to wash away the dislodged soap residue from the towels. Following the machine's completion of its cycles, either dry your towels outside in the sun or put them in a tumble dryer on a medium heat setting. Your towels should smell delightful and feel noticeably softer, leaving you fully prepared to visit the beach or go for a dip this summer.
