Stepping out of the shower and into a super fluffy towel is an incredible feeling, but maintaining that softness can be tricky without proper care. Towels can turn hard and scratchy if you overdo it with fabric softener in the wash, as they’re highly absorbent and struggle to rinse out the excess liquid. This leads to a soapy residue build-up, making your towels feel rough and far from comfortable.

But fear not, laundry expert Olivia from Clotheslyne has come to the rescue with a simple yet effective cleaning solution: add lemon juice to your washing machine. She explained: “The citric acid present in lemon juice breaks down the residues left by detergents or soaps. 

“Another appealing aspect is that this citrus powerhouse leaves your clothes with a refreshing scent win-win scenario!”

Olivia also noted: “As a bonus, the same approach applies to your towels and bedding. Using lemon juice in the rinse cycle can help to keep them soft and fluffy, promoting a cosy and inviting atmosphere in your home.”

The acidity of lemon juice works wonders at breaking down any leftover fabric softener residue, naturally relaxing the fibres to soften them up.

What’s more, hard water, which contains high levels of minerals like magnesium and calcium, can make laundry feel stiff.

The good news is that the citric acid in lemon juice can also tackle these minerals, ensuring your towels and other laundry items come out soft and snuggly.

Olivia explained: “Lemon juice also acts as a natural remedy for hard water. Its acidic property dissolves the hard water and ensures the laundry is soft and comfortable.”

For this method, simply run your towels through a standard wash cycle, skipping any fabric softener and ensuring not to cram too many into the washing machine for optimal cleaning.

After the wash cycle is up, set up your washing machine for another rinse cycle. Before putting on a new cycle, pour 60ml of lemon juice into the soap compartment.

Post-wash, the drying technique matters for the softness of your towels. If using a tumble dryer, choose a gentle heat setting complemented by dryer balls to enhance towel fluffiness.

For those preferring the great outdoors, hanging your towels can benefit from a gentle breeze that’ll help puff up the fibres. However, keep in mind to avoid leaving them out for more than a day, as excessive sunlight could stiffen them.