Stiff towels can be revived with $5 supermarket buy that makes them soft and fluffy

Getting out of a warm shower is made bearable by the thought of wrapping up in a soft and fluffy towel.

So when they feel stiff, scratchy and crunchy drying off can be extremely unpleasant.

Towels don't have to stay this way though, as a simple fix using a $5 supermarket buy will have them feeling soft again.

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One of the reasons towels stop feeling fluffy is because of a buildup of detergent residue and fabric softener.

This happens when too much detergent is used, because the washing machine struggles to rinse out completely during the rinse cycle.

As for fabric softener, it's designed to leave a coating on material as that's what makes it feel softer. However, this makes towels hold onto detergent residue and less absorbent.

To remove this residue and restore towels back to their soft texture experts from eco brand Big Green Smile recommend using soda crystals.

Also known as washing soda, you can find the product in Coles and Woolworths in the laundry aisle for $5 for a 1kg bag.

Made of sodium carbonate and not to be confused with baking soda, soda crystals can remove the residue buildup on towels.

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"If your towels are feeling a bit crunchy, it may be that they're suffering from limescale and detergent build-up," the experts told the Express.

"Try soaking them in a medium strength mixture of soda crystals and warm water. Rinse well, then wash them as normal, with half a cup of white vinegar in the fabric conditioner drawer."

Soda crystals not only break down residue but grease, body oil and soap as well.

To soak towels you will need a large bucket or you can use the laundry basin or your bathtub. There is also a soaking feature on most washing machines if the previous options aren't suitable.

Place the towels in your chosen soaking vessel, fill with hot water and then stir in a few tablespoons of soda crystals. Leave for at least one hour or overnight if preferred.

Once they've finished soaking pour out or drain the water and take your towels to the washing machine. A bucket will be useful if you've soaked the towels in the bath, and wringing them out will help too.

To remove the excess water before washing the towels put them on a rinse cycle and then wash as normal making sure to only use one to two tablespoons of detergent.

Then instead of fabric softener put half a cup of white vinegar in the fabric softener dispenser.

To dry, preferably hang them outside making sure to give them a good shake first as this loosens the fibres that have become compacted during the washing process.

If you do need to dry them in the dryer use a low heat.

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Towels should be washed every three days or instead swap over to a clean towel after a few uses and leave the used towel aside to wash later in the week when you have a load of towels.

It's important to make sure towels are completely dry before placing in the laundry hamper as dampness can lead to mould and bad odours.

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