There’s nothing better than wrapping yourself in a soft, fluffy towel after a shower — it should feel like a gentle caress on your skin. But often, reality is quite different: towels that feel rough, stiff, or even smell musty can quickly ruin that relaxing moment. Fortunately, there’s a simple and natural way to bring your towels back to life, using just two ingredients you probably already have at home.

Why Towels Become Rough and Unpleasant

Towels are among the most frequently washed household items, yet they’re also the ones that tend to lose their softness over time. After repeated washes, towels that were once plush and absorbent start to feel scratchy, leaving your skin irritated after use.

One of the main reasons this happens is detergent buildup. Each time towels are washed, residues from soap and fabric softener accumulate in the fibers. These residues trap minerals from hard water, especially calcium, making the fabric stiffer with each wash.

Another common issue is improper drying. During the colder months, when humidity levels are high and towels take longer to dry, they can develop a musty odor — especially if they stay damp for too long. Without a dryer or proper ventilation, even freshly washed towels can end up smelling unpleasant.

This combination of roughness and bad odor makes using them a chore rather than a comfort. But before throwing them away or investing in expensive softeners, there’s a simple and natural alternative that can restore your towels to their original softness.

The Two-Spoon Method: A Simple, Natural Solution

To keep your towels soft, fresh, and absorbent, you only need two natural ingredients:

• Marseille soap

• Baking soda

Both are eco-friendly, affordable, and gentle on fabrics — and together, they work wonders on even the stiffest towels.

Why Marseille Soap Works So Well

Authentic Marseille soap has been made for centuries in southern France following strict traditional methods. The original formula uses pure olive oil, salt, and soda from the regions of Provence and Camargue. True Marseille soap contains no animal fats and is 100% natural and biodegradable.

Although the traditional version is green due to olive oil, today’s variations may include other plant-based oils such as coconut or palm oil. Regardless of the recipe, it remains a mild yet effective cleanser known for its versatility and natural benefits.

When used in laundry, Marseille soap gently cleanses fabrics without leaving behind harsh chemical residues. It softens towel fibers naturally, helps maintain their absorbency, and is ideal for anyone with sensitive skin or allergies to synthetic detergents.

In addition, because it’s completely biodegradable, it’s an excellent choice for those who prefer eco-friendly cleaning solutions that don’t harm the environment.

The Role of Baking Soda

The second ingredient in this simple method — baking soda — enhances the soap’s cleaning power and neutralizes odors. It also softens the water, preventing the buildup of minerals like calcium and magnesium that make towels hard and stiff.

Baking soda helps balance the pH level of the wash and removes detergent residues that remain trapped in the fibers. The result? Fresh, soft towels that stay absorbent for longer — without the help of expensive commercial softeners.

How to Prepare the Perfect Laundry Mix

Here’s how to apply the two-spoon method step by step:

1. Grate the Marseille soap.
   If you’re using a solid bar, grate it finely until you fill a heaping tablespoon. Alternatively, you can use ready-made Marseille soap flakes.

2. Add it to the washing machine.
   Place the grated soap directly into the detergent compartment of your washing machine.

3. Add baking soda.
   Put one tablespoon of baking soda directly into the drum with your towels. This will boost the cleaning power and help soften the water.

4. Optional step for extra softness:
   For an even gentler result, you can add a natural fabric softener during the rinse cycle. Two excellent options are:

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   • Citric acid solution: Mix 10 grams of citric acid in 100 ml of demineralized water and pour it into the softener compartment.

   • White vinegar: Add 100 ml of white vinegar to the same compartment — it will eliminate odors and further soften the fibers.

Run your usual wash cycle. When you remove the towels, you’ll immediately notice the difference: they’ll feel soft, fresh, and clean — without that heavy coating left by synthetic detergents.

The Benefits of the Two-Spoon Method

Using Marseille soap and baking soda offers a long list of benefits beyond softness:

• Preserves absorbency: Unlike commercial softeners, which coat fibers and reduce absorbency, this natural method keeps your towels effective and fluffy.

• Removes residues: Eliminates built-up detergent and mineral deposits that make fabrics stiff.

• Prevents odors: Neutralizes musty smells caused by humidity or improper drying.

• Gentle on skin: Perfect for children, babies, or people with allergies, since it contains no artificial fragrances or irritants.

• Eco-friendly and affordable: 100% biodegradable ingredients that protect both your health and the environment.

Over time, regular use of this method also helps maintain the quality of your washing machine, since vinegar and baking soda naturally clean and deodorize internal parts.

Final Tips for Keeping Towels Soft and Fresh

• Avoid overloading the washing machine: Towels need space to move freely and rinse thoroughly.

• Dry properly: If you don’t have a dryer, hang towels in a well-ventilated area and avoid leaving them damp.

• Shake before drying: This helps loosen the fibers and maintain softness.

• Wash towels separately: Mixing them with clothes can lead to detergent buildup and lint transfer.

With the two-spoon method, you can forget about stiff, scratchy towels. Instead, you’ll enjoy fresh, naturally soft, and wonderfully scented towels every time — all without spending a fortune or using harsh chemicals.

So next time you do laundry, remember: just two spoons of simple, natural ingredients are all it takes to turn your towels into a soft, fragrant embrace.