What you can do about clothes that have gone stiff

Short answer: Stiff fabric comes from residue in the fibres, most often from detergent, fabric softener or lime. Two washes without detergent remove most of it.

Residue is the cause

Soap, softeners and lime settle in the fibres and make them less flexible. See washing and care.

Two washes without detergent

Wash the piece twice at 40 degrees with no soap. That rinses most of it out. See bamboo towels.

A little vinegar the first time

A cup of household vinegar in the first wash helps loosen lime and soap residue from the fibres. Pour it into the softener compartment and run an ordinary 40 degree wash without soap.

Dose less from now on

Halve the dose and see whether it helps after a couple of washes. Overdosing is the most common cause of stiff fabric. See bamboo underwear for men.

Drop the fabric softener

Fabric softener creates exactly the film you are trying to remove. See bamboo underwear for women.

Frequently asked questions

Why do clothes go stiff?

Because of residue in the fibres from detergent, fabric softener or lime.

How do I get them soft again?

Wash them twice without detergent, ideally with a little vinegar the first time.

Does fabric softener help?

No. It creates exactly the film you are trying to remove.