Laundry care tips for maintaining towels and washing machines

Experts warn that excessive use of fabric softener can damage towels by creating a chemical lubricant layer on textile fibers. While initially providing softness, these residues accumulate over time, creating a barrier that prevents water absorption and makes towels less efficient at drying. This buildup can also make fabrics heavier and more prone to retaining odors due to trapped moisture and bacteria.

Other factors contributing to fabric stiffness include using excessive amounts of detergent, which can crystallize within the fibers, and overloading washing machines, which prevents effective rinsing.

To combat residue buildup in washing machines, a cleaning method involving lemon and toothpaste has been suggested. The citric acid in lemon helps remove limescale, rust, and grease, while the abrasives in toothpaste assist in cleaning. Users are cautioned to avoid skin contact with lemon to prevent phytophotodermatosis, a type of skin burn caused by sun exposure.