Don't throw in the towel if you're seeking softness
We have some friends that just returned from Las Vegas. While there, my friend's wife (Joyce) was so taken up with how soft the hotels towels were, she decided to purchase several of them from the hotel at a premium.
When they returned she called me to discuss her purchase. I praised her on her find and asked her if she wanted to make the rest of her towels just as soft as the ones she just purchased in Las Vegas. Needless to say she was very skeptical.
We made a friendly bet — if I lost, I would make her favorite dinner, if she lost, and she would make my favorite dinner. She agreed.
Before going over to Joyce's home, I stopped by the store and purchased the following items.
A. A box of baking soda.
B. A box of 20 Mule Team Borax.
C. One bottle of white vinegar.
D. One box of table salt.
E. One box of Epsom Salt.
On arrival at Joyce's and after exchanging social graces, I asked Joyce if I could look at her towels. She directed me to her linen closet. She was right, her towels were stiff and smelled of bleach.
I took one of her towels and poured a drop of water on it, the towel did not quickly absorb the moisture. I asked her if she always used fabric softener, she said she did. I got out my forensic light, the one I use to detect urine, and slowly waved it over her towel. The towel glowed from the phosphates trapped in the fabric. I explained to Joyce that fabric softener have polymers in it that make the material feel soft; however, excessive build up causes the material to repel water, and that over time phosphates will build up in the material which will cause it to feel stiff. Joyce was still skeptical.
I took Joyce's towels and divided them by color, explaining that darker colors will cause the lighter colors to appear dingy (color transfer). Washing the lighter color towels first, I allowed the washing machine drum to fill halfway before I added 1 cup of baking soda and one cup of 20 Mule Team Borax. Using my hand I mixed the solution. I placed the towels into the drum and let it run through its normal cycle. When it was finished, I refilled the drum with hot water and added 1 cup of white vinegar and let it run through its normal cycle. When the cycle was finished, into the dryer they went.
Because Joyce had new dark colored towels, in the next load I added to the washing mix 1 cup of table salt. I explained to Joyce, the table salt will help stop the fading of her new towels and remove the sizing chemicals that were placed in them by the manufacture.
When the first load was dry, Joyce immediately removed them from dryer. She was amazed at how soft and fluffy they were. To make a long story short, I really enjoyed my steak and shrimp dinner.
When cleaning with any cleaning product, always wear eye protection and rubber gloves to protect your hands. If you would like to share a cleaning idea or concept with the reading audience, call Ed at NWES (2552266), email them to madan@surfl.ws or send them to Bonner County Daily Bee, 310 Church street, Sandpoint, ID 83864, Attn: What would Ed do? For more information about Ed, check him out at NWEES.COM
Copy written by Edmond E. Madan, certified forensic, fire, flood, mold inspection and remediation contractor. Ed is the CEO of Northwest Executive & Environmental Services, LLC.