While white vinegar is often touted by cleaning enthusiasts as a miracle solution for laundry stains, many don't find it effective at softening towels.

Fans of cleaning guru Mrs Hinch have taken to her Facebook page – full of cleaning tips and tricks – to air their disappointment with the effectiveness of white vinegar.

One disgruntled member of the group, Sarah Bray, posted: "Keeping bath and hand towels soft... how do you keep them as good as new? Mine are like cardboard most of the time and vinegar is not fixing it."

Suggestions poured in, with many advising against fabric conditioner and many suggesting to use soda crystals. One advised: "Don't use fabric conditioner as that's what makes them less absorbent."

Echoing this sentiment, another commented: "I never use fabric conditioner as towels do not dry as well."

Sharing her own experience, somebody else remarked: "Mine are the same, I have stopped using fabric softener and use soda crystals."

Explaining how fabric softener doesn't work on towels, Margaret Butcher said the laundry additive "coats fibres and makes them unable to absorb water".

Sharing her top tip, Margaret instructed: "Soak your towels with some soda crystals and warm water and leave for at least 30 minutes before throwing them in the washing machine. It makes the towels nice and soft."

Another revealed: "Once I stopped using fabric conditioner and switched to soda crystals instead, my towels are now permanently so soft."

Elaborating on her method, she added: "I put a little soda crystals in all three compartments. It softens the water and is good to clean the machine too – [at] 60C wash."

In agreement, another member of the Mrs Hinch cleaning group said: "I use soda crystals with my towels to keep them soft. I had a few towels that were going a bit crispy but doing this soon sorted it within the first wash."

For optimal results after washing your towels, ensure you give them a vigorous shake to loosen the fibres. If the opportunity arises, take advantage of breezy conditions by air-drying your towels outdoors.

In cases where you're drying towels indoors, be sure to spread them flat over a drying rack or hang them with care to maximise their surface area for quicker drying.