If towels are not washed properly they can become crispy, wrinkled and scratchy to the touch, but there is a simple way to restore them so they are fluffy once again. 

Towels often become stiff if a washing machinehas been overloaded and you have used too much fabric softener as the residue will begin to build up in the fibres to make them less absorbent. 

Christina Denni, a cleaning expert and founder of The DIY Mommy, has shared that the best natural way to restore towels is to add white vinegar to the washing machine.

She said: “If you’re finding your towels getting stiff, I find that adding distilled white vinegar alongside your detergent every so often helps strip the towels and get them feeling fluffy again.” 

It may sound strange, but vinegar is acidic which means it can break down the alkaline residue on the towels and make it easier to wash out while in the washing machine.

White vinegar is also a natural fabric softener as it will help relax the fibres in the towels to reduce stiffness so that towels become fluffy once again. 

How to naturally restore towels and get them fluffy again 

All you need to do is pour white vinegar into the detergent drawer on your washing machine. 

Place the towels in the washing machine with your usual laundry detergent but avoid using any fabric softener. 

Christina said: “Interestingly enough, I find that overusing fabric softener makes my towels stiff over time. Too much softener creates buildup in the towels over time.” 

Put the washing machine on a regular hot water wash and the vinegar will help reduce any build-up while the towels are being washed. 

Once the wash is complete make sure to thoroughly shake the towels before putting them in the dryer on a low heat setting. 

Christina said: “A little shake of your towel after the wash cycle and before placing it in your clothes dryer should help fluff up the fibres.”

One other way to get towels fluffy again is to use dryer balls, as the movement will gently aggregate the fibres to break up any matted areas on the towels. 

If you do not want to use white vinegar then Christina recommends adding Oxiclean White Revive, a non-chlorine bleach product or baking soda to your washing machine instead. 

She said: “Hot water will help get any dirt and yellow tones out of the towels as it works alongside your detergent and oxygen bleach.” 

Christina added: “If you don’t want to use oxygen bleach, try baking soda instead. Baking soda is a powerhouse that can clean just about anything!”

Your towels will be restored to their original fluffy state so you do not have to worry about hard-feeling towels ever again.