White vinegar towel hack: Why adding it once a month can make stiff, musty towels feel fresh and soft again

There’s nothing more disappointing than taking towels out of the washing machine only to find them stiff, rough and carrying a lingering musty smell. If regular detergent isn't solving the problem, a simple white vinegar laundry hack may help. Adding a small amount of plain white vinegar to your towel wash occasionally can help remove residue and mineral buildup that may accumulate on fabric over time.

Why Does Vinegar Help Make Towels Softer?

White vinegar contains acetic acid, which can help break down traces of detergent and mineral deposits left behind after repeated washing.

Unlike conventional fabric softeners, which coat fibres to create a softer feel, vinegar helps remove buildup. This can help towels retain their natural absorbency instead of simply covering the fibres with another layer of product.


Vinegar may also help tackle unpleasant odours associated with detergent residue, moisture and mildew.

How to Use Vinegar When Washing Towels

For an occasional towel refresh, add plain white vinegar to the fabric softener dispenser or introduce it during the final rinse cycle.

Avoid adding vinegar at the beginning of the wash alongside detergent. Since detergent is generally alkaline while vinegar is acidic, combining them can neutralise their respective properties and reduce their effectiveness.

Using the hack occasionally, such as around once a month, can be a more practical approach than adding vinegar to every wash.

Don't Mix Vinegar With Bleach

One important safety precaution is to never combine vinegar with chlorine bleach. The combination can produce harmful fumes and should be avoided even when you're washing white towels.

If you use bleach for a particular load, leave vinegar out of that wash.

Vinegar and Baking Soda Shouldn't Be Used Together

Although both vinegar and baking soda are commonly used for household cleaning, adding them together doesn't make the cleaning process more powerful.

Vinegar is acidic, while baking soda is alkaline. When combined, they react with each other and largely neutralise one another.

For this reason, it's better to use them separately rather than mixing them in the same wash.

Be Careful With Towels Containing Elastic

Vinegar may not be the best choice for items containing significant amounts of elastic. Repeated exposure to acid can potentially weaken elastic fibres over time.

For towels or other items with elasticated components, check the care label and consider avoiding frequent vinegar treatments.

A Simple Monthly Towel Refresh

Used occasionally and correctly, white vinegar can be a useful addition to a towel-care routine. It may help remove buildup, reduce lingering odours and restore some of the softness and absorbency that towels can lose after repeated washing.

However, it should be used selectively and never mixed with bleach or other incompatible cleaning products.

Disclaimer: This article is intended for general informational purposes only.

[With TOI inputs]