It has proven to be a cost-effective and natural solution to the problem of hard water, which is common in the UK and can cause towels to become stiff and scratchy
13:03, 10 Jun 2025Updated 13:10, 10 Jun 2025
A commonly used ingredient can revive crusty towels(Image: Kinga Krzeminska via Getty Images)
The fantasy of wrapping yourself up in a soft, fluffy after stepping out of the bath or shower is shattered for many when towels lose their softness and become abrasive. Overuse and the build-up of detergents and body oils are to blame for them losing their soft texture.
However, Cheryl Curristin offered a solution. On the Mrs Hinch Cleaning Tips Facebook group, she said: “Just tried the white vinegar extra rinse after washing my towels. I was very sceptical and thought they would smell of vinegar, but it’s the best way to make towels fluffy.”
She marvelled at the results, saying: “Two lovely, clean, and fluffy towels are now drying on the line, and they smell amazing.”
Towels can quickly turn hard and crusty, especially if you wash them regularly(Image: aquaArts studio via Getty Images)
The secret lies in white vinegar’s ability to strip away any residue and lingering fabric softener, which is key to maintaining softness.
The laundry hack makes use of the 30p kitchen staple’s acetic acid to work the magic, reports the Express.
Cheryl explicitly skipped the fabric conditioner during her experiment and said: “It’s so much better, so soft and fluffy, I can’t believe it.
“Definitely will be doing this every time for my towels now. I can’t believe I’ve only just tried this at the age of 64.”
For those eager to try, just add white vinegar in the fabric softener section during the final rinse cycle of your wash.
Over time, the plushness of towels diminishes due to the accumulation of detergent(Image: Pawel Kacperek via Getty Images)
Jill Adams agreed with the popular cleaning tip, saying: “Totally agree. Always use white vinegar in my machine instead of conditioner.
“It works great and keeps the machine sparkling clean at the same time, no smell after is a big bonus.”
Luna Glover also offered praise for the method, saying: “This completely transformed my towels, it’s so cheap too. Would recommend to anyone.”
For those looking to try this hack, a bottle of white vinegar can be picked up for just 30p at supermarkets such as Tesco.