How to Naturally Soften Towels and Remove Residue with Baking Soda
Over time, towels can become stiff, rough, and less absorbent due to detergent and fabric softener buildup. While fabric softeners might seem like a quick fix, they often coat towel fibers, making the problem worse.
Fortunately, there's a simple, natural solution: baking soda. Affordable and eco-friendly, baking soda can help restore your towels' softness and absorbency while eliminating residue.
We’ve all been there—grabbing a towel fresh from the laundry, only to find it stiff, rough, and coated with a strange residue. Even after using fabric softener, the towels just don’t feel clean or soft. In fact, fabric softener may be part of the problem! Over time, it can leave behind a waxy buildup on the fibers, reducing the towel’s absorbency and softness. Luckily, there’s an easy fix. A simple remedy using baking soda and vinegar can strip away that residue, restoring your towels to their former fluffy, absorbent glory. Give it a try and bring your towels back to life!
I absolutely love this simple, natural remedy for softening towels with baking soda—it’s such a game-changer! Not only does it work wonders at removing residue and restoring softness, but it’s also so much more affordable and eco-friendly than using expensive fabric softeners. Knowing I can achieve fluffy, absorbent towels without relying on harsh chemicals makes me feel great about my laundry routine. Plus, there’s something so satisfying about getting back to basics and using a natural product that really delivers. If you’ve been searching for a way to breathe new life into your towels, I can’t recommend this enough!
How to Soften Towels with Baking Soda
To soften and remove residue using baking soda, let them soak for about 1–2 hours in the washer.
Here’s a step-by-step guide:
1. Start the soak:
Fill the washer with hot water and add 1/2 to 1 cup of baking soda (depending on the load size). Let it agitate briefly to dissolve the baking soda.
2. Soak the towels:
Submerge your towels completely and allow them to soak for 1–2 hours. This will help break down detergent and fabric softener buildup while softening the fibers.
3. Finish the wash:
After soaking, run a full wash cycle as usual (without detergent). For extra freshness, you can add 1 cup of white vinegar to the rinse cycle.
4. Dry thoroughly:
Dry the towels in the dryer without using fabric softener or dryer sheets to prevent future buildup. This method can be repeated every couple of months to keep towels fresh and soft.
Add Vinegar for the Rinse Cycle (Optional)
Add 1 cup of white vinegar during the rinse cycle for extra softness and residue removal. Vinegar is a natural fabric softener that helps break down any remaining buildup. Adding it is optional, but I highly recommend it. A common concern is whether the towels smell like vinegar. The answer is no—they won’t smell like vinegar at all! In fact, you’ll be pleasantly surprised by how fresh and clean your towels will feel after using this method.
Ditch the Fabric Softener
Fabric softener might seem like a great choice, but it can actually coat your towels’ fibers, reducing their absorbency and making them feel stiff over time. Instead, opt for white vinegar as a natural alternative. Add one cup of white vinegar to the rinse cycle of your wash. It helps break down detergent residue, leaving your towels soft and restoring their absorbency.
There are several eco-friendly, reusable, and chemical-free alternatives to dryer sheets that can soften clothes, reduce static, and add freshness. Here are some great options:
Benefits: Naturally soften fabrics, reduce drying time, and minimize static.
To Use: Add 3-6 balls to the dryer. For a light scent, add a few drops of essential oil to the balls before use. Here’s my favorite brand
Take a look at this magnetic dryer ball holder that comes with six extra-large dryer balls! I love how convenient it is—just attach it to the side of your dryer using the magnetic strip. It keeps your dryer balls organized and within easy reach, making them simple to grab and put away.
Here are all-natural and incredibly affordable ways to soften your clothes without relying on expensive store-bought fabric softener and dryer sheets.
Vinegar
Benefits: Softens clothes and reduces static.
How to use: Add 1/2 cup of white vinegar to the fabric softener compartment during the wash cycle.
DIY Cloth Dryer Sheets
How to make:
Cut cotton cloths or old t-shirts into squares.
Soak in a mixture of water, white vinegar, and essential oil.
Wring out excess liquid and let dry. Use one sheet per load.
Baking soda is a simple, natural way to bring new life to your towels. Not only does it soften, remove odor, and refresh, but it also eliminates the need for harsh chemicals. Try this method the next time your towels feel stiff and enjoy soft, fluffy, eco-friendly, and budget-friendly results.
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