Towels can become stiff and crunchy if you use fabric softener when washing towels (Image: Getty)
If your old towels are hard and crunchy, you might be them incorrectly, but there is a simple way to get them soft again. Towels are designed to be very absorbent, and many people do not realise they should not be washing them with fabric softener.
Using fabric softener or too much detergent will cause soap to build up in the towel material, making it stiff, crunchy, and unpleasant to touch. However, you do not need to throw any towels away, as there is a natural way to remove this soapy residue in just one wash using Epsom salt.
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A simple and natural way to restore towels is with Epsom salt (Image: Getty)
The experts at said: “Epsom salt is another natural softener that can help rejuvenate your towels. Add half a cup of Epsom salt to the wash cycle to help soften the fabric and remove any residue.”
Epsom salt is usually used as a bath soak, so it may seem bizarre to use it in laundry. However, it contains magnesium and salt that can break down soap residue in towels.
It can help improve the rinse cycle in the washing machine as it will help flush away not just soap but hard water minerals and other grime sticking to towels that can make them feel rough.
The minerals in Epsom salt act as a natural fabric softener, making your towels feel lovely again without the need to use a product with harsher chemicals.
How to use Epsom salt to get towels soft
All you need to do is place the towels in the washing machine and add your laundry detergent like normal, but instead of fabric softener, add 120g of Epsom salt.
Be careful not to overload the laundry as stuffing too many towels in the machine will make it harder for them to rinse properly. Make sure to only wash towels and do not add any clothes.
You towels will be fluffy and soft again after just one wash (Image: Getty)
The expert said: “Wash your towels separately from other laundry items. Washing them alone prevents them from getting tangled with other clothes, which can cause them to lose their softness.”
Place your towels on a regular wash, and once the washing machine is done, give them a good shake before drying them. Shaking towels helps fluff up the fibres, which also helps make the towel feel softer once it is dry.
Next, you can hang towels up, but if you prefer to put them in a tumble dryer, do not dry them on high heat, as this will damage the fabric.
Towels should always be dried in a low-heat setting as cotton can break down and become brittle when exposed to excessive heat.
Once they have fully dried, they should feel soft, fluffy and completely revived, so you do not have to worry about scratchy towels ever again when you step out of the shower.