Have you ever bought new towels which become scratchy and crisp after just a few washes? Well, you're probably using too much detergent and fabric softener. If you want to know the secret to maintaining the softest, plushest towels, laundry expert Deyan Dimitrov, CEO of Laundryheap, has shared his top laundry hacks to keep your towels fluffy and super soft.
Make sure you repeat this following routine every five washes to keep your towels in tip-top condition.
1. Set your washing machine temperature to 30 degrees
It's often a good idea to wash towels and bedding at 60 degrees to get rid of any nasty bacteria, grease or stain build-up. But, to keep your towels softer for longer, Deyan says 30 degrees is preferable. 'Washing at a lower temperature is more environmentally friendly, and will help keep fabrics soft,' he says. 'Take note of the detergent you’re using, though. We’d recommend opting for bio detergent to wash your towels if you can, as bio capsules work at their optimum when exposed to 30 degree temperatures.
'Non-bio detergents work best at 60 degrees, so if you’re using non-bio, wash at a higher temperature accordingly.'
2. Don’t overfill the washing machine drum
It's never a good idea to overfill your washing machine, as it pretty much always results in a less effective wash because the clothes won’t have enough room to move around in the machine.
'If overfilled, it can also take your washing machine longer to wash your items,' notes Deyan. 'For a 7kg washing machine, we advise putting a maximum of five large towels in the machine at any one time.'
3. Add half a cup of baking soda directly to the wash
Baking soda is a great natural detergent and a kitchen cupboard essential. It's non-toxic, works wonders at getting rid of grease or stains (it's great for cleaning mattresses), and it can help to neutralise any odours that might be lingering on fabrics. It's also a great option if you’ve got sensitive skin or any allergies.
'Make sure you don’t confuse baking soda with bicarbonate of soda,' warns Deyan. 'You can find baking soda at any regular supermarket. Add half a cup of baking soda directly to the washing machine drum, sprinkling it over your towels, to keep them naturally clean. Do not add laundry detergent.'
4. Add half a cup of white vinegar to your rinse cycle
Another great multi-purpose product for the home is white vinegar – and it's very inexpensive, too.
Deyan explains: 'White vinegar works to soften your garments by dissolving any build-up that might be in the clothes, making them soft and taking away that scratchy feeling you sometimes get after too many washes.
'Add half a cup of white vinegar, instead of fabric softener, to your rinse cycle to break up any residue that may be in the towels. Don’t worry: as your towels dry the vinegar smell will disappear, leaving your towels smelling fresh and clean and feel soft.'
5. Add essential oil to make your towels smell good
Optional: skip this step if you have sensitive skin.
'If you have a favourite essential oil such as lavender, sweet orange or peppermint, add in 2-3 drops to your rinse cycle, when you add the white vinegar. This will add a sweet, subtle scent to your laundry that will last for a few days,' Deyan reveals.
6. Tumble dry your towels
Skip this step if you want to save money, or if you're conscious of the environmental impact.
For super soft, fluffy towels, Deyan recommends using the tumble dryer. 'Use the setting specifically for towels or choose "medium setting" and ensure they are completely dry before storing them away,' he advises. 'Alternatively, you can dry them on a clothes rack, then when they're nearly dry, tumble dry for the last 5-10 minutes.'
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