The One Product You Should Never Use On Your Towels

Towels are an essential item in every household and deserve to be treated as such. Dollar Shave Club says towels can last up to five years if properly taken care of, so it's important you use the right products to wash and dry them. Unless you've done your research, you probably haven't thought about how to wash your towels correctly. Perhaps, you throw all of your personal items in at once or wash and dry your towels on the default setting; however, if you want to extend the life of your towels, it's worth switching up the way you do things.

We all love fluffy, soft towels, so why hinder their coziness by using incorrect products to protect them? Encante Home says there are several ways to ruin your towels, such as adding too much detergent or washing them in hot water. That being said, there is one specific product that will instantly destroy the softness you've come to know and love. What is it? Keep reading to find out.

You might be shocked to learn this, but according to Tidy Diary, fabric softeners don't soften your towels and are actually bad for them. Using fabric softener on your towels thwarts their ability to absorb water, which, in turn, makes for hard, scratchy drying material. Next time you go to reach for the fabric softener, try vinegar as an alternative. White vinegar does an excellent job of keeping your towels fluffy and soft because it strips them off the soapy residue that causes stiffness.

You can also use baking soda in lieu of fabric softener, Greenopedia states. Baking soda is a natural fabric softener that not only gets rid of soap and fabric softener residue but also neutralizes foul odors. To use this excellent household staple as a fabric softener, simply add 1 cup of baking soda to your washing machine after putting in your clothes and laundry detergent.

In addition to towels, there are several items you shouldn't wash with fabric softener. First and foremost, LiveAbout warns parents about the negative effects of using fabric softener on baby clothes. Kids' clothes are constructed from flameproof fabrics, and using fabric softener decreases their ability to protect children against fires. Fabric softener reduces the effectiveness of water-resistant materials as well, Laundryheap explains. By using fabric softener, you're taking away its drying power and subjecting your water-resistant items, namely swimwear, to mold and nasty odors.

Avoid adding fabric softener to the wash if you plan to clean your workout clothes. Athletic wear is designed to soak up sweat, which helps you remain dry during your workout. However, if you use fabric softener on your workout gear, you're essentially adding a layer that traps moisture, reducing your chances of staying dry. To prevent this from happening, stay away from the fabric softener, and your body will thank you.