Detergent residue and hard-water minerals can contribute to towels feeling stiff. Using a modest amount of distilled white vinegar in the rinse cycle may help remove some of that buildup, allowing the fibers to feel softer. Unlike traditional fabric softeners, vinegar doesn’t work by deliberately coating the fibers.

For laundry where vinegar is appropriate, some people use about ½ cup in the rinse cycle, placed in the fabric-softener dispenser if the machine manufacturer permits it. Avoid pouring vinegar directly onto delicate fabrics, and check garment-care labels before treating stains with diluted vinegar.

There are also important precautions. Use distilled white vinegar, not stronger cleaning vinegar or flavored varieties. Most importantly, never mix vinegar with chlorine bleach, because the combination can release dangerous chlorine gas. Also check your washing machine’s manual, since some manufacturers caution against vinegar because repeated exposure may affect certain rubber components.

Vinegar isn’t necessary for every load, and it won’t replace detergent, stain removers, or bleach when those products are genuinely needed. But when your washer and fabrics allow it, occasional use can help reduce residue and odors while keeping towels feeling fresher. Sometimes one of the simplest laundry helpers is already sitting in the kitchen cupboard.