Key Points to Remember
To soften rough laundry, it is recommended to use a suitable fabric softener and ensure thorough rinsing. White vinegar or baking soda are also excellent natural softeners. Steam ironing also helps to soften the fibers.
The G-Heat® brand is known for its high-quality plaid sweatshirts, which are Oeko-Tex® Standard 100 certified, non-toxic, chemical-free, 100% vegan, and cruelty-free. These plaid sweatshirts, which have also been awarded the international “Confiance Textile” quality label, are ultra-soft and incredibly cozy, offering excellent value for money.
Introduction
Softening your laundry is essential for achieving optimal results when washing your clothes. Unfortunately, laundry often comes out too rough and irritating once it has dried. Stiff fabrics can even sometimes become scratchy and hurt sensitive skin.
There are several possible causes for this problem of rough laundry:
- The quality of the water used, which may be hard or calcareous
- Incorrect detergent dosage
- An unsuitable washing program
This article will explain how to effectively soften your laundry, with tips and natural products that will leave your clothes soft and comfortable to wear.
Causes of Rough Laundry
Water Quality
Hard or calcareous water can leave deposits on textile fibers and make them rough. Soft water is always preferable for softer laundry.
If you have no choice of water, you can opt for more powerful fabric softeners.
I live in an area where the water is very hard, and my clothes always came out of the wash feeling rough. I finally opted for a special anti-limescale fabric softener, which solved the problem!
— Edouard, Founder of G-Heat®
Laundry Detergent Dosage
Using too much laundry detergent can harden the fibers in your clothes and make them feel rough. Be sure to follow the recommended dosages.
Similarly, choose a special liquid detergent for delicate fabrics and avoid detergents containing bleaching agents, which can abrade the fibers.
Grandmother's tip: add 2 tablespoons of vegetable glycerin to your laundry to naturally soften the fibers.
Washing Program
Some high-temperature wash cycles can alter the elasticity of fabrics.
Choose short cycles at moderate temperatures (30-40°C) and finish with a good rinse.
Caution: avoid washing delicate and sturdy items together; separate colors and textures in the machine.— Nicolas, Development Director at G-Heat®
Use Fabric Softener
During Washing
Fabric softener is the go-to product for making your clothes soft. Add liquid fabric softener to the wash cycle for optimal results.
Follow the recommended dosage, which is usually one capful per load.
Tip: you can also use a fabric softener ball directly in the drum for easy dosing.
By Spritzing
If you forget to use fabric softener, or to refresh dry clothes, spray fabric softener directly onto the clothes and leave it to work for a few minutes before putting them in the dryer. Your clothes will instantly regain their softness and suppleness.
Caution: avoid contact between the fabric softener and your face, as the vapors can irritate your eyes.
— Nicolas, Development Director at G-Heat®
Softening by Hand
If you prefer natural solutions, it's easy to soften laundry by hand.
White Vinegar
White vinegar is an excellent natural fabric softener that will soften fibers.
Add 1 teaspoon of vinegar to the fabric softener compartment for optimal results.
Bonus: white vinegar sanitizes laundry and eliminates unpleasant odors.
Baking Soda
Baking soda is also an excellent natural fabric softener that combats roughness in fabrics.
Mix 3 tablespoons of baking soda into your laundry detergent for a softening effect.
Caution: avoid using pure baking soda on dark laundry, as it may cause discoloration.
Aloe Vera
Aloe vera gel has soothing and softening properties for the skin and laundry.
Add 2 tablespoons of gel directly to your laundry for a natural softening effect.
Mechanical Softening
Fabric Softener Balls
Fabric softener balls gradually release the product during washing and drying for perfectly soft laundry.
Choose plastic-free balls made of pure cotton or wool for a more eco-friendly option.
Dryer Balls
Add wool dryer balls to the washing machine and dryer to aerate clothes and soften them naturally during the cycle.
Steam Ironing
Steam ironing mechanically softens fibers and makes clothes soft and supple. Choose this method for delicate fabrics.
Ensure the correct steam flow for the fabric and always iron inside out to preserve fragile fibers.
Practical Tips
Thorough rinsing
Always make sure to rinse at least twice at the end of the wash cycle to remove any detergent residue, which can cause roughness.
Bonus: add 2 mustard glasses of white vinegar to the rinse water to soften and sanitize.
Using the Dryer
Set your dryer to a delicate cycle at a moderate temperature to prevent excessive drying of the fabric fibers.
To prevent static electricity, add a sheet of fabric softener to the lint filter.
Steam Ironing
Steam ironing softens the fibers while removing wrinkles. It is ideal for delicate fabrics.
Remember to empty the water tank of your appliance regularly to prevent limescale build-up.
Conclusion
With these tips and natural products such as white vinegar or baking soda, you will now have perfectly softened laundry and rediscover the pleasure of wearing soft clothes.
For maximum effectiveness, combine the right steps:
- Use a suitable fabric softener in the dispenser compartment of your appliance.
- Make sure to rinse thoroughly with at least two cycles.
- Add natural softeners such as aloe vera or vegetable glycerin to your liquid laundry detergent.
- Distribute baby clothes and colors evenly in the machine at the same time.
- Dry in the open air or at a moderate temperature in the dryer.
- Remove creases with steam at a good flow rate to restore flexibility to the fibers.
- Use eco-friendly balls or washing balls.
Thanks to this winning combination, you'll enjoy perfectly soft and supple laundry without resorting to commercial chemical fabric softeners.
— Nicolas, Development Director at G-Heat®
Feel free to share your best recipes and solutions for soft laundry in the comments!
FAQ
Rough laundry: what to do?
Use a suitable fabric softener and make sure to rinse thoroughly to remove any detergent residue. White vinegar is also very effective.
How can I get soft towels?
Wash towels with fabric softener every time. Dry them in the open air rather than in the dryer. Steam iron them to restore softness to the fibers.
How can I make my laundry less rough?
Use a suitable fabric softener and make sure you rinse thoroughly to remove any detergent residue.
How can I soften fabric that is too stiff?
White vinegar or baking soda are excellent natural fabric softeners that work well on stiff fabrics.
How much vinegar should I use to soften my laundry?
Add 1 cup of white vinegar to the fabric softener compartment for optimal results.
How can I soften my laundry with white vinegar?
Pour 1 cup of pure white vinegar into the fabric softener compartment of the washing machine during the wash cycle to naturally soften your laundry.
Why is my laundry not soft?
Possible causes: hard water, unsuitable detergent, poor rinsing, tumble dryer too hot. Use a powerful fabric softener and opt for short cycles at low temperatures.
What natural product can be used to soften laundry?
White vinegar and baking soda are excellent natural fabric softeners that will make your clothes soft without chemicals.
How can I soften fabric that is too stiff?
Soak the stiff fabric in a mixture of warm water and white vinegar for 15 minutes before washing to soften it naturally.
Why soften laundry with baking soda?
Baking soda is an excellent natural fabric softener that will soften textile fibers and make your laundry softer. It has many advantages:
- Baking soda is very effective at removing limescale and softening laundry that has become rough due to hard water.
- When mixed with laundry detergent, it thoroughly eliminates unpleasant odors that linger in laundry and towels.
- Baking soda is a very economical product, costing less than commercial chemical fabric softeners.
- It is also an eco-friendly choice, with a limited impact on the environment.
- Finally, baking soda has sanitizing properties that will clean your laundry while softening it.
Simply add 2 to 3 tablespoons of baking soda to your washing machine with the detergent for maximum effectiveness. Your laundry will be perfectly soft and smooth!
Updated on October 5, 2025
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