Towels will be whiter and feel super absorbent again if washed with 1 natural ingredient

There is no better feeling than wrapping yourself in a fluffy right after a bath or shower, but it can be disappointing if the fabric begins to feel scratchy. Towels often lose their softness and turn a dingy grey due to improper , especially when fabric softener or bleach is used.

Since towels are super absorbent, the soap in fabric softener often gets trapped in the fibres and cannot easily be rinsed away, so it will begin to build up over. If you use bleach to whiten towels, then both the chemicals and soap will clog the material so it becomes rough, greasy and even discoloured.

However, there is no need to throw any spoiled white towels away as the bedding experts at , have shared a simple way to restore towels using one natural ingredient.

They said: "Bleaching might be effective in removing unwanted stains, but these agents weaken the fibres and eventually damage your bath essentials. If you still want that whitening effect, try soaking them in a solution of baking soda and water.

"Washing new towels with baking soda will loosen and soften up the fibres, cleaning out any residue dirt or gunk. This helps in restoring your white fabrics to their original bright and fluffy glory. It also eliminates those pesky but inevitable musty odours."

It may seem bizarre, but baking soda is a fantastic natural cleaner as it is alkaline, which can help neutralise acidic soapy residue that is clinging to the towel fibres.

Baking soda is also abrasive, so it will scrub away dirt and chemicals that are causing towels to look dull without damaging the fibres.

It also helps boost the effectiveness of laundry detergent while deep cleaning the towels so they will come out of the washing machine fluffier and whiter.

How to use baking soda to soften and brighten white towels

To begin, place your towels in the washing machine, then add both laundry detergent and baking soda to the detergent drawer.

Be careful not to overload the washing machine, as towels will not be able to rinse properly if overcrowded, and this baking soda solution will not be effective.

Wash towels at 60C to help kill germs, but do not wash at a hotter temperature as it increases the chance of towels shrinking. Then, place them on a gentle wash cycle that is at least 40 to 50 minutes long.

Once the wash is done, do a rinse cycle. Do not add any fabric softener to your wash, but if you wish, you can add a little white vinegar to the rinse cycle, as it is a natural alternative which fluffs towels up while also removing bacteria.

Do not mix baking soda and white vinegar together as they will neutralise each other and cancel out their cleaning properties. Use baking soda during a washing cycle and then use white vinegar during a rinse cycle.

When the towels are washed, dry them on a low heat in a tumble dryer or hang them up to dry. Your towels should visibly look whiter and feel a lot softer after just one wash.