Scratchy towels can be restored to their former softness with a simple kitchen ingredient: citric acid. Mix one heaped teaspoon of citric acid with 500ml of water and add the mixture to the washing machine's fabric softener compartment. Avoid adding any other products and select a hot wash cycle to eliminate mineral build-up that has gathered in the towels.
Why fabric softener makes towels worse
Fabric softener can accumulate on towel fibres, making them even stiffer and less pleasant to use. Instead of shop-bought softeners, citric acid offers an alternative that revives towels, according to the Liverpool Echo.
Extra benefits of citric acid
Citric acid is not only excellent for softening towels – it can also rejuvenate whites. White towels and clothing can turn dingy and greyish with age, but citric acid can lighten them and bring back their original brightness.
Drying tricks for softer towels
Although citric acid can prove remarkably effective at softening towels, the true secret lies in ditching the washing line altogether. If a tumble dryer is available, throw towels in alongside a tennis ball – it will do wonders for the fibres, leaving them feeling virtually as good as new. Without a tumble dryer, give towels a thorough shake both before and after washing to help loosen the fibres, which should leave them feeling noticeably softer against the skin.
