Are you tired of the smell of your old bath towels? Have you tried the best and most expensive laundry scent boosters around? Still, there is no result. It could be the methods and type of detergent you used to wash your old bath towels. Here you’ll find out how to wash towels to make them soft using only vinegar and baking soda.
Facts About Towels
Towels are at their best when they are new. Most towels are made of cotton, just in case you’re wondering. The look and feel of the towel depend on the type of cotton. I guess some cotton is more expensive than others, obviously.
When shopping for towels, I just didn’t think of that. Wow! Now I know. However, towels just seem to lose their fluff after a couple of washes, no matter how much you paid for them or the type of material.
Here I will show you how to make your old towels look and feel like new with just a few easy steps. We will be refreshing, and softening and I’ve also managed to drop in a tip or two about your dishtowels, so you’re in for a load.
Content:
- How to wash Bath towels using vinegar and baking soda
- Why use baking soda
- Homemade Fabric Softener Recipe
- Things to avoid when washing towels
- Washing greasy dishtowels
- Dishtowel alternatives
The Most Natural Way To Wash and Soften Bath Towels
How to Wash Towels with Vinegar and Baking Soda
For me, the first thing that comes to my mind is the most expensive fabric softener. What was I thinking all this time? When washing towels grab a bottle of white vinegar instead of fabric softener. This will work wonders.
Alright, it’s time to give those towels the TLC they deserve! Here’s how to wash them with vinegar and baking soda for the ultimate clean and fresh experience.
Instructions:
- Start by tossing your towels into the washing machine as you normally would, but skip the detergent this time around.
- Add 1/2 cup of baking soda to the wash cycle. This will help to eliminate any odors and break down any built-up detergent residue.
- When the wash cycle is complete, don’t take the towels out just yet! Instead, pour 1/2 cup of white vinegar into the rinse cycle. The vinegar will help to soften the towels and remove any remaining residue.
- Optional step: For an added touch of luxury, add a few drops of your favorite essential oil to the rinse cycle. Not only will this make your towels smell amazing, but it will also help to promote relaxation and calmness.
- Once the wash cycle is complete, toss your towels in the dryer and let them dry completely. And voila! You now have super soft, fresh-smelling towels that will make every shower feel like a spa day.
See, that wasn’t so hard, was it? Give it a try and let us know what you think!
When drying toss in tennis balls to help with the fluff. Feel free to toss in a few dryer sheets along with the tennis balls and that’s all it takes to have wonderful towels.
Why Wash Bath Towels with Baking Soda?
Listen up folks, if you want to keep your towels soft, fluffy, and smelling fresh, then you gotta start washing them with baking soda! This magical powder is made of good ol’ sodium bicarbonate, which is completely safe to use as a laundry detergent.
Not only does it help to remove tough stains and odors, but it also helps to balance the pH levels in the wash, which is great news for those of us with sensitive skin. And the best part?
Baking soda is a natural fabric softener, so you can ditch those harsh chemicals and enjoy super snuggly towels without any added fuss. So next time you’re doing laundry, toss in a scoop of baking soda and let the magic happen. Trust me, your towels will thank you!
If you really want to care for your bath towels, replace your detergent with baking soda. Ok, let’s focus on what we are getting at here. Baking soda is a natural all-purpose cleaner.
It is also a natural laundry detergent that fights dirt, stain, and odors on other types of clothes. Don’t panic if there is no sud. Baking soda does not sud like other detergents do which allows it to penetrate the fabric even better.
Avoid Doing these When Washing Towels
Oh boy, I’ve been doing a lot of things to my poor towels to make them old and stiff! First off, I’ve been using way too much detergent and fabric softener in the wash.
And don’t even get me started on the high heat of the dryer – I swear it’s like a sauna in there! I’ve also been guilty of leaving them in the washing machine for too long before transferring them to the dryer, which definitely doesn’t help their cause. And as much as I love a good bleach session, it turns out it’s not the best thing for the longevity of my towels. Who knew, right? But hey, live and learn.
So, to maintain soft towels cut back on laundry detergent, yep, that’s right and if you’re guilty of this you’re not alone for I am too. This will build up a soapy residue. Also, when the towel is dry it will smell of detergent and feel very stiff. That’s not all of it, it simply won’t be clean, for as powerful as your washer is, it won’t be able to rinse all that detergent from the towels.
Extra Towel Care Tips:
Towel Drying Tips
Take it easy on tumble drying, this can cause stiffness of the towel. You can also toss in one or two TENNIS BALL when drying to keep them soft.
Measure the Load
I notice that washing towels with other linens is a big laundry mistake. If you want nice fluffy towels wash them in a cycle by themselves.
DIY Homemade Fabric Softener:
Another way to soften towels is by making your own fabric softener. Yes, you hear right. Homemade fabric softeners are safer to use and gentle on your fabrics. And they work marvelously too. To make your homemade fabric softener follow these instructions.
Tips for Washing Greasy Dishtowels
Alrighty, listen up all you kitchen wizards out there! If you’re tired of washing greasy dish towels that just won’t seem to come clean, then you gotta try out these life-saving hacks.
Instructions:
First off, instead of just tossing them in the washing machine, pre-treat those bad boys with a bit of dish soap to help break down the grease. Then, add some vinegar to help deodorize and remove any lingering odors.
And last but not least, don’t be afraid to crank up the heat on your washing machine – hot water is the secret weapon when it comes to fighting tough grease stains.
Trust me, these hacks are a game-changer when it comes to keeping your dish towels looking and smelling fresh. So what are you waiting for? Give ’em a try and see for yourself!
Soaking Method for Extra Dirty and Greasy Dishtowels
Soak the towels in a bucket for 20 minutes with warm water and 1/4 cup of white vinegar. For white dishtowels add a few drops of bleach to the water.
Wash your dishtowels with warm water. This will remove the grease. Avoid leaving your dishtowels in the washer overnight.
Doing this will cause grime leaving them with a musky odor. Also, your dish towels must be washed by themselves to ensure they are clean for the kitchen.

Dishtowel Alternative
Another way to avoid dirty dishtowels is to make use of disposable dishtowels. These are becoming very popular as they save you time and prevent prolonged food smell in the kitchen. It is simple to use these towels as you can toss them in the bin as soon as you are done with them.
Did I mention that the price is right? Well, it is. Even if you still love your fabric dishtowels, having a few disposable kitchen towels on hand would be worth the while.
Conclusion:
There you have it, folks! Two simple and effective ways to keep your towels looking and feeling their best. By adding vinegar and baking soda to your bath towel wash, you can enjoy super soft and fresh towels that will make you feel like you’re at a spa. And when it comes to greasy dish towels, a little dish soap, vinegar, and hot water go a long way in getting them clean and odor-free. So next time you’re doing laundry, give these tips a try and see the difference for yourself. Your towels (and your nose) will thank you!
We hope these tips were helpful, thanks for stopping by.
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