Ditch vinegar and bicarb to soften hard towels for 2 natural items cleaner swears by 100%

can be a challenge, especially with items like towels that require extra care during washing. After just a few washes, many households find their towels becoming stiff, often due to soapy residue and over-drying. While some may enjoy the sensation of coarse towels, it's not to everyone's liking.

To return towels to their original softness after a single wash, there's a simple, natural method that doesn't involve or . A professional behind the Instagram account has shared their preferred technique for reviving hard towels, stating "it's not vinegar or bicarbonate".

In their post, they revealed: "Airbnb towels get used and washed far more than your average household towels, but this is a secret we learned whilst working for an Airbnb host."

They further assured followers: "I can 100% confirm that these two ingredients will restore all the original fluffiness to your towels. It's not what you might think - no bicarb or white vinegar."

According to the expert, the solution lies in using soda crystals and tea tree oil.

They explained the effectiveness of these ingredients by saying: "Because soda crystals are very alkaline, they break down the residues left by your detergent that build up on your towels over time.

"Tea tree oil is antibacterial, so it is a natural disinfectant. It also removes trapped moisture buildup in the fibres, helping to make your towels 100% fluffy again."

The experts recommend liquid soda crystals for this trick as they're "much easier to use and store".

To begin, add a cap of your usual detergent to the machine drawer or place your liquid pods directly into the drum if that's what you prefer.

Next, drizzle a few drops of tea tree oil into the drawer and set the washing machine to do a 60-degree cycle.

After the cycle has finished, give your towels a good shake to fluff up the fibres and hang them out to air dry with a dehumidifier nearby. If you're using a tumble dryer, pop them in for just 10 minutes on a gentle heat.