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.'
Like this article? Sign up to our newsletter to get more articles like this delivered straight to your inbox.
In need of some positivity or not able to make it to the shops? Subscribe to House Beautiful magazine today and get each issue delivered directly to your door.
Ignore - storage b
This ombre effect basket is the perfect ample storage solution for your home. Its ideal for towels and throws.
In a classic natural finish, these contemporary and versatile woven storage baskets are given a modern twist with a white painted strip around the bottom.
Store bits and bobs neatly that you don't mind being on display in this metal wire basket from Marks & Spencer.
Teaming natural-toned seagrass with pink and yellow patterns, this set of two nesting baskets make for stylish storage. Fill them with books, magazines and accessories, or use them as plant pot covers.
This structurally strong black and naturally-hued storage basket would make the perfect rustic addition to any interior. It has been beautifully hand woven using sustainably sourced local palm tree leaves.
Designed to be hardwearing with a sturdy and robust metal frame, this large woven storage basket is perfect in any room of your home.
We love the multi-coloured braid detail on these seagrass woven baskets. Each one is finished with matching carry handles.
This practical storage basket with a lid is perfect for the bathroom or utility room.
Made from a great sustainable material, this small cork storage basket will complement all types of decor whilst keeping belongings in one place.
Simplicity always wins. This natural seagrass storage basket will suit any room and interior for a clutter-free space.
Fill this stylish storage basket with books, magazines or accessories. Its woven from natural seagrass and patterned with a checked design in subtle pastel pink and white.
We love these felt, cut-out star design storage baskets, perfect for toys.
Looking for a sleek storage solution? This classic black mock crocodile skin basket is made from real leather. A handle at each side makes it easy to move around the home.
This chunky cotton rope basket is a lovely alternative to plastic or rattan, and it will add texture to your shelves.
Woven from tie-dyed cotton, this bobble-textured basket is perfect for the bathroom.
This super chic rattan basket comes with two handles at the top. It will elevate any space!
Add stylish storage to your bathroom with this basket crafted from polyester felt. Great for storing toiletries, the fir wood handles make it easier to lift and move where necessary.
These grey plaited storage baskets, made from high quality fabric felt, come with silver rivet fixings and a strong feature wooden handle.
Keep it simple with this small storage caddy that can easily slot onto any shelf or in any space with ease. The small size is also ideal for placing on your windowsill, keeping all those bits and bobs in one place.
Forget storage baskets, invest in a storage bucket! With a secure press fit lid, this bucket really is great for hiding everything you want out of sight. Made using water, mould and sun-resistant colours, this fully recyclable, multipurpose bucket boasts a tough, thick-walled construction for extra strength, and it's easily stackable, too.
Olivia Heath is the Daily Editor at House Beautiful. Heading up all things digital, Olivia loves nothing more than uncovering tomorrow's biggest design trends and revealing the best tips and tricks to help you decorate your home like an interior designer. Week by week Olivia shares the most stylish high street buys to help you get the look for less (while compiling her very own, and rather lengthy, homeware lust list) and showcases the best makeovers (who doesn't love a before & after?), as well as the hottest and most unique properties on the market.
Having covered interiors and gardens for the past seven years, Olivia’s work has also appeared on Elle Decor US, Country Living, Good Housekeeping, Red, Prima, Elle Japan, Modern Living and Micasa Revista.
Prior to joining House Beautiful, Olivia worked at Reveal magazine, where she reported on celebrity and entertainment news by day, and attended showbiz parties and red carpet events by night! Olivia has an MA in Journalism with an NCTJ qualification, as well as a BA in Journalism and Media & Cultural Studies.
