I fill a 5 gallon bucket with hot water and vinegar (probably a couple of cups worth). Then soak them in that for a bit ,while rubbing the fabric together to get any salt buildup/soil/roots off the fabric, and then I toss them in the washing machine (with some vinegar instead of detergent) and run a quick "hot" wash. When they come out of the dryer they pretty much look new but they do soften up.