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Laundry won't stiffen when drying outside if you pour 65p Tesco item into washing machine

How to avoid laundry from feeling hard or stiff when drying outdoors in summer with a cheap Tesco item

[Woman hanging clothes outside on washing line in summer]

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UK households can avoid stiff laundry when drying clothes outside with a cleaning hack (stock image)(Image: Getty)

As the warmer weather encourages more UK homeowners to hang their laundry outside to dry, many people face a common frustration: stiff, rough towels and clothes. While fresh air is great for eliminating odours, the drying process can often leave fabrics feeling coarse, especially compared to the fluffiness a tumble dryer achieves.

However, experts suggest that a common kitchen staple is all people need - baking soda. They say the simple cupboard item could be the solution to maintaining soft fabrics without relying on chemical-heavy fabric softeners.

Baking soda is widely available at most supermarkets in the UK. Tesco is selling one of the most affordable options with its 200g bottle of Stockwell and Co bicarbonate of soda for 65p.

According to recent cleaning advice, the buildup of minerals, detergent residue, and hard water deposits often causes fabrics to stiffen as they dry in the breeze. Baking soda helps by neutralising these residues, allowing fibres to remain relaxed and flexible during the air-drying process.

To try this at home, laundry experts recommend adding half a cup of baking soda directly to the drum of your washing machine, along with your regular detergent. By balancing the water's pH, baking soda helps prevent buildup that causes scratchy towels and stiff linens.

[Tesco is selling bicarbonate of soda for 65p]

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Tesco is selling bicarbonate of soda for 65p(Image: Tesco)

Washing machine manufacturer, Whirlpool, says: "To help soften fabrics naturally without fabric softener or dryer sheets, you can use baking soda to help balance wash water pH levels. This can be beneficial if you have hard water. By adding a half cup of baking soda to your wash load, you can help prevent mineral buildup on items and reduce the amount of detergent you use."

While line-drying remains the most energy-efficient and eco-friendly way to dry your clothes, this simple addition can provide that extra touch of comfort. For the best results, shake out your towels and garments well before hanging them, and remove them from the line as soon as they are dry to prevent them from becoming "sun-baked" and brittle, keeping them fresh and soft all summer long.

Why does baking soda soften laundry?

It helps to balance the pH of the wash water, stopping minerals such as calcium and magnesium from sticking to the fibres and making them stiff. It also breaks down any leftover detergent that gets stuck in the fabrics, resulting in a fluffier feel when the clothes dry in the air. It naturally eliminates musty odours and body smells, ensuring that line-dried clothes stay fresh without the need for artificial fragrances.

[Drying clothes outdoors]

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Using baking soda can help make laundry feel fluffier when drying in the air

How do experts recommend using baking soda for soft towels and clothes?

Add 1/2 cup of baking soda directly into the washing machine drum, along with your clothes, before you start the wash cycle. Baking soda can fully replace store-bought liquid softeners or dryer sheets. For really tough items (like rough towels), experts such as The Spruce suggest soaking them in a bucket of water with one cup of baking soda overnight.

Experts, including those from Martha Stewart, stress the importance of snapping or shaking clothes when you take them out of the washer and off the line to help loosen the fibres.

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