Smelly towels are really no fun! After a few washes, they often smell musty, even if you’ve just washed them. That unpleasant odor is caused by moisture, bacteria, and soap residue building up in the fabric. Luckily, with just a few steps, you can make your towels smell fresh again. Check out these effective ways to get rid of that nasty smell—and tips to keep it from coming back.
Why do my towels smell bad?
- Humid environment: If towels don't dry completely between uses, they become a breeding ground for mold and bacteria. This especially happens when towels are left bunched up or stored in poorly ventilated spaces.
- Buildup of soap residue: Using too much detergent or fabric softener can leave residues behind, which trap odors and attract bacteria. You can avoid overdosing with laundry strips.
- No hot wash cycle: Lukewarm water doesn't fully kill bacteria. Washing regularly at a high temperature helps prevent musty odors.
How do I get rid of smelly towels?
Here are three easy ways to make smelly towels fresh again:
Wash with vinegar and baking soda
First, wash your towels with hot water and a cup of white vinegar (no detergent). Then, repeat the wash cycle with just half a cup of baking soda. This neutralizes odors and removes soap residue.
Use hot water and oxygen bleach
For stubborn odors, you can use oxygen bleach in hot water. This works well on both colored and white towels and kills bacteria. We recommend the oxygen bleach by Ecover on.
Air dry in the sun
Let your towels dry outside in the sun. Sunlight acts as a natural disinfectant and gives them a fresh scent. Make sure your towels are completely dry before storing them.
How do you prevent smelly towels in the future?
To keep your towels from getting smelly, always make sure they dry completely. Hang them up after each use, preferably on a rack or out in the sun, so air can circulate freely. Skip the fabric softener, since it leaves a coating on the fibers that traps odors. Instead, add a little vinegar to your wash to get rid of soap residue. And don’t forget to wash your towels regularly with hot water and dry them thoroughly—moisture is the main culprit behind those bad smells.
If you follow all these tips while using and after using your towel, you won’t have to worry about any unpleasant smells. By washing regularly with vinegar or baking soda, letting your towels dry completely, and skipping the fabric softener, they’ll stay fresh and odor-free. Make sure to air out your towels after use and store them in a dry, well-ventilated space.
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