Sun and salt-impregnated beach towels: make them soft again using the right remedies

Sea, sun, sand, saltiness: these are all words that evoke carefree days spent at the beach. But these are also factors that negatively affect the condition of the various fabrics that come into contact with salt water, sand or remain exposed for hours to direct sunlight.

Not only swimwear, but also - if not above all - beach towels, often come home feeling hard and rough after a long day spent at the beach. Terry towels in particular are affected, since they soak up a lot of salt water and hold on to many grains of sand between their fibers. So, how do you make these garments soft and fluffy again? How can we ensure that they are not only more pleasant to the touch but will also be more absorbent? Read on to find out the tips we suggest: 

Creativo

• Epsom salts: rinse off the bulk of the dirt and salt from the towels, then take a basin and fill it with warm water. When it is half full (or a little bit more), dissolve 120 grams of Epsom salts in it and soak the beach towels. Leave them to soak overnight, and the next day proceed giving them a regular washing.
• White vinegar, followed by baking soda: just like with hardened bath towels, the combination of vinegar and baking soda also works with salt-impregnated beach towels. You can use it directly in the washing machine: select a high-temperature washing cycle, and pour a glass of vinegar into the drum or into the detergent compartment, and start the wash. When done, move on to a second wash, but using 200 grams of baking soda (inserted into the machine's drum).

It is not good, however, to use these remedies very often: it is recommended to use them only once every month and a half (i.e. once every 45 days or so).

Finally, the use of citric acid is a little more of a delicate approach: just pour a tablespoon of powdered citric acid into the softener liquid dispenser, adding just a little hot water to get it dissolve, and then start a regular wash cycle, (also using a little - but not too much - laundry detergent, or Marseille soap).

The important thing is not to exaggerate in the use of detergent or softener to counteract the hardness of the fabrics: doing so will have the opposite effect in the long run!