When it comes to keeping your towels soft and fresh, lots of people are turning to a simple kitchen staple: white distilled vinegar. This natural fix tackles issues like stiffness, odors, and leftover detergent buildup—all without using those harsh chemicals. (Think of it as a quick hack for everyday laundry.) Learning how to use vinegar in your wash can seriously upgrade your towel game.
Benefits of using vinegar
Vinegar’s natural acidity helps break down the residue left by fabric softeners and detergents. Liz Eichholz, co-founder and creative director of Weezie Towels in Atlanta, Georgia, explains, “thanks to its natural acidity, vinegar works to break down lingering residue from fabric softeners and detergents, dissolve mineral deposits from hard water, and kill odor-causing bacteria like mildew and mold” (which means it not only cleans but also boosts the fluffiness and freshness of your towels).
On top of that, vinegar can dissolve the mineral deposits from hard water that make your towels stiff. Zachary Pozniak, a professional dry cleaner and owner of Jeeves NY, notes that “acidic washes can perform additional cleaning at the end of the cycle to remove leftover residues from detergent or minerals” (so you end up with softer, cleaner towels every time).
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Expert insights on vinegar use
Both Eichholz and Pozniak share handy tips on why vinegar works so well for towels. Eichholz recommends using vinegar when your towels start to lose their fluff or give off a musty smell. She also suggests not overloading the washing machine because too many towels can prevent a proper clean and rinse (and nobody wants a lingering mildew odor).
Pozniak, on the other hand, warns against mixing vinegar with laundry detergent because of a chemical reaction—you really don’t want an acid jamming up with a base. (It’s best to use vinegar on its own to keep your laundry as clean as possible.)
Step-by-step guide to washing towels with vinegar
Here’s how to give your towels a refreshing vinegar bath:
- Load your towels: Place them in the washing machine without cramming the drum.
- Add vinegar: Pour in 1/4 to 1/2 cup of white distilled vinegar.
- Select wash cycle: Pick a warm or hot water cycle and skip the detergent and fabric softener.
- Optional second wash: For extra freshness, run a second cycle with 1/2 cup of baking soda.
- Dry properly: Tumble dry on low or medium heat; consider tossing in some wool dryer balls or even clean tennis balls for extra softness.
Stick with these steps whenever your towels need a little tender loving care.
Maintaining soft towels over time
Beyond the occasional vinegar wash, you can keep your towels soft with these tips: store them in a cool, dry spot and avoid leaving damp towels in tight spaces (this helps prevent odors or mildew). Also, don’t overload your washing machine so every towel gets a good clean and rinse.
If a vinegary scent sticks around after washing, don’t worry—it should fade naturally (since the vinegar is only about 5% acetic acid). If it lingers, try an extra rinse with a bit of detergent or baking soda. Adding a few drops of essential oils during the wash can also leave your towels smelling great while providing some antimicrobial benefits.
Remember, while white distilled vinegar is safe for most machine-washable fabrics, you should avoid apple cider vinegar or cleaning vinegar as these might damage your washing machine’s parts.
By adding these steps to your laundry routine, you’ll not only give your towels a much-needed refresh but also cut back on chemical-heavy products. Give this simple trick a try, and enjoy towels that are noticeably softer and smell amazing!
