Overview
- Which? laundry editor Victoria Purcell soaked towels in a bath with two litres of white vinegar for one hour, then rinsed and ran a 40°C wash with no detergent or fabric softener.
- Testing found towels felt noticeably softer afterward, though not restored to new-towel softness.
- Purcell reported the process was time-consuming and left a strong vinegar smell in her home.
- Product warnings advise against adding vinegar directly to washing machines because acetic acid can corrode rubber and plastic parts.
- Which? notes very worn or poor-quality towels may not revive and recommends repurposing or textile recycling, with distilled vinegar available cheaply, including 35p bottles at Aldi.