What could be more unpleasant than rough laundry coming out of the washing machine? The cause is simple, and the solution even more so.
Towels, sheets, shirts… all textiles are affected by this all too common problem. Wash after wash, and your clothes become rough and even dull. And you have absolutely nothing to do with it! In most cases, the culprit is part of your home and works without you even thinking about it. Fortunately, it doesn’t have to be that way, and you can easily remedy the problem.
When it comes to your washing machine, it’s the running water that’s to blame when it comes to rough laundry. In many départements, the water is very hard, which means that it contains a high concentration of minerals, mainly calcium and magnesium. It is these minerals that damage textiles. When this water comes into contact with soap or detergent, it forms limescale deposits that stick to the fibres of clothes. Over the course of several washes, these minerals build up and create a rough layer around the fibres, preventing clothes from regaining their original softness and making them rough to the touch.
Limescale deposits can also clog the pores of fabrics, reducing their ability to absorb water. This makes rinsing less effective and leaves even more detergent residue in the clothes. These residues also contribute to the stiffness and discomfort of fabrics after drying.
So how do you solve this problem and get soft clothes again? You can of course use fabric softener, as it reduces the build-up of limescale on clothes. But commercial fabric softeners often contain chemicals that can cause allergic reactions in even the most sensitive skin. For a natural solution, you can add white vinegar to your rinse cycle. It helps to dissolve limescale deposits and remove detergent residues. To use, simply pour half a cup of white vinegar into the rinse compartment of your washing machine. As well as softening clothes, white vinegar acts as a natural deodoriser and can help keep the machine clean by removing soap and lime residues.
