Here’s where most people accidentally ruin their hard work. Do not blast your cotton with high heat in the dryer! That high heat locks the fibers into a stiff, wrinkled state. Instead, give them a gentle spin on low heat, or—even better—line dry them halfway. Once they’re about 80% dry, toss them into the dryer on the air-fluff setting (no heat) with a few wool dryer balls.
This little dance tells the fibers, “Hey, you can relax now.” The air-fluff cycle re-fluffs the threads without cooking them stiff. If you’re in a hurry, add a clean, damp towel to the dryer—the extra steam will help release all that built-up rigidity.
The Baking Soda Soft-Boost
Can’t find your salt? No problem. Add half a cup of baking soda directly to the washing drum before you start the load. It works as a natural water softener, which is a fancy way of saying it helps the fabric unfurl and relax. It’s also fantastic for preventing that “musty” smell that sometimes lingers on thicker cotton items like denim and towels.
Combine baking soda with the vinegar rinse (use them in separate cycles, please!) and you’ve got a dynamic duo that would make any laundry guru proud. Your clothes will feel so soft, you’ll start inventing excuses to do more laundry.
2026 Ultimate Guide: How to Soften Stiff Cotton Fabric
