There’s nothing quite like the feeling of wrapping yourself in a soft and fluffy towel. But for most people, their towels quickly become hard and scratchy over time. If you have a hard time keeping your towels nice and soft, don’t worry. There are plenty of hacks to make your towels feel like they came straight from a five-star hotel.

And fortunately, Melissa Caverly, founder of Chicago-based, professional cleaning service Imagine Maids, is here to share the best-kept secrets from hotel cleaners on how to keep your towels soft and velvety.

Shake your towels.

When doing laundry, be sure to give your towels a good shake before you put them in the washing machine. This helps to loosen up the fibers so that the detergent can penetrate more effectively. The result? Cleaner, softer towels.

According to Melissa, “If you’re hanging them on a clothesline to dry, shake them once again before hanging to maximize the results.”

Just following this quick and easy step can do wonders for the texture of your towels.

Add a touch of vinegar.

White vinegar is a natural, eco-friendly solution for a wide variety of household tasks. And this is especially the case when it comes to your towels. Not only does white vinegar get rid of stains and bacteria, but it also helps to break down any detergent residue — a common culprit that makes your towels feel hard.

To use white vinegar, simply add one to three cups to the drum or the fabric softener drawer of your washing machine.

But remember, even though vinegar is a godsend for fluffing up your towels, a little goes a long way. “Make sure not to overdo the vinegar,” Melissa advises. “Otherwise, it could erode your washing machine’s rubber seals and hoses, causing leaks.”

Pro Tip: If you’ve tried this step, but your towels still aren’t soft, don’t worry. This is common for particularly crunchy towels. Simply repeat the above washing process until they return to their original, fluffy state.

Dry your towels the right way.

Be sure to dry your towels immediately after washing them as this can have a big impact on how fluffy they are when dried.

For best results, try alternating between line drying and tumble drying. For example, you can hang your towels on the line for a bit before finishing them off in the dryer. This method not only helps them dry faster but gives you that soft and fluffy texture you desire as well.

And if you have an old tennis ball lying around, Melissa says you can put it to good use. “Putting a tennis ball in the dryer is another option. This may sound odd, but by bouncing around inside the drum, the tennis ball will help keep the towel fibers soft.”

What To Avoid

Now that you know what to do to make your towels soft and fluffy, it’s time to learn what not to do to help maintain them. Take a look:

• Don’t overuse the dryer, and never set it too hot or run it for too long.
• Avoid hanging towels on the radiator because it makes them stiff.
• Excessive washing powder or fabric conditioner can cause your towels to lose their softness.
• Never overload your washing machine because towels won’t wash properly if there’s too much in there.

Another common culprit is the quality of your water. According to Melissa, “Hard water can also be a contributing factor. In this scenario, install a whole-home water softener or add baking soda to each wash.”

And if all else fails, she says to always go for the good stuff. “Remember, even if you follow all of these tips, poor-quality towels may still lose their softness. Investing in high-quality towels and caring for them correctly will ensure your towels are always soft and fluffy.”