How Do You Get the Mildew Smell Out of Towels?

To get rid of the mildew smell, put your towels in the washing machine with hot water and add vinegar. Wash them again by adding baking soda next time. Finally, dry them using a dryer or hang them in the sunlight to completely get rid of smells.

Why Do My Towels Smell Moldy?

Have you ever wondered why your towels smell moldy even after you wash them?

It’s a common problem that many people face, and it can be quite unpleasant to use a towel that has a musty odor. In this blog section, we will explain what causes towel odor, how to prevent it, and how to get rid of it.

What Causes Towel Odor?

Towel odor is caused by bacteria and mildew that grow on damp towels. When you use a towel to dry yourself, you transfer some of the moisture, dirt, and skin cells from your body to the towel.

If you don’t dry the towel properly after each use, or if you leave it in a humid environment, such as a bathroom or a laundry basket, the bacteria and mildew will multiply and produce a foul smell.

Some factors that can contribute to towel odor are:

• Using too much detergent or fabric softener. These products can leave a residue on your towels that can trap moisture and reduce their absorbency. This can also make your towels feel stiff and scratchy.
• Washing your towels in cold water. Cold water may not kill all the bacteria and mildew on your towels, especially if they are heavily soiled. Hot water is more effective at sanitizing your towels and removing odors.
• Overloading your washing machine or dryer. If you put too many towels in your washer or dryer, they may not get cleaned or dried thoroughly. This can leave them damp and smelly.
• Using old or worn-out towels. Over time, your towels may lose their softness and absorbency due to wear and tear. They may also harbor more bacteria and mildew than newer towels.

How Do You Get the Mildew Smell Out of Towels?

Towels are one of the most frequently used laundry items. It gets wet, but keeping it that way for a long time creates a suitable environment for germs and mold to settle in. Besides, cleaning your towels with just clean water is not enough.

Therefore, you have to know the techniques to get the mildew smell out of your towels.

Step 1: Gather the Tools and Materials

The whole process will take you about three minutes, and then you have to spare some hours for the towel to dry itself. The first tool you will need is a washing machine. You will also need some vinegar, baking soda, and water.

Step 2: Wash With Vinegar

Take your towels and put them into the washing machine. Use the hottest water available. After that, add one or two cups of white vinegar. In the meantime, do not add any kind of detergent, fabric softener, or any other products.

After the arrangement is set, leave the towels in the washer as they are and wash the same load again. You must use hot water this time as well. Again do not use any detergent or fabric softener.

Step 3: Wash With Baking Soda

Once you are done with the previous step, it is time to wash your laundry again. But this time, it is with baking soda. Run the towels through the cycle in the washing machine again and add a half cup of baking soda into it. Just as before, do not add any detergent or fabric softener. The purpose of adding baking soda is to completely get rid of the smell.

Step 4: Dry the Towels

After you are done with the vinegar and baking soda treatment, you have to dry the towels next. You can dry them using a dryer in a high heat setting. Toss one or two tennis balls or felted wool dryer balls to make the towels fluffier and softer. If they are not dry, put them back in the dryer or take them outside and hang them in the sunlight.

How to Get Mildew Smell Out of Towels Without Vinegar

There is a way for you to get rid of the mildew smell from your towels without using vinegar.

Follow this process only when you cannot get rid of the smell using vinegar or baking soda.

Try soaking your towels in a mixture of Oxiclean or a similar stain-removing powder and water. Take a bucket of hot water and add 2/3 cup of Oxiclean. Make sure you are wearing gloves to protect your hands.

Tilt the bucket gently to mix them well. After adding water halfway through the bucket, start putting your towels into it. Leave the towels like that and let them soak for about 48 hours.

After the soaking period is passed, wring them out and put them into the washing machine. Run them in the hottest setting. You may add a detergent and fabric softener in this case. Dry the towels properly and you will see no mildew smells.

How to Get Mildew Smell Out of Towels Baking Soda

Using baking soda is a great way to get rid of the mildew smell from your towels. Put your towels into the washing machine with the hottest water available.

Add half a cup of baking soda with it and wash the towels in cycles. If you still sense the smell, add another half cup of baking soda and rewash the towels.

Once the towels are washed thoroughly, it is time to take them out and dry them. Throw them into a dryer and wait.

Use dryer balls to make the towels fluffier and softer. To be on the safe side, take the towels out in the sunlight and let them dry for a couple of hours more to get the best result.

Soak Your Towels in Oxygen Bleach

Oxygen bleach is a powerful cleaner that can remove stains and odors from your towels without damaging their fibers or colors.

Fill a large bucket with hot water and add two-thirds of a cup of oxygen bleach (such as Oxiclean).

Soak your towels in the solution for about 48 hours, then wash them as usual with detergent and hot water.

How to Prevent Towel Odor?

The best way to prevent towel odor is to keep your towels dry and clean.

Here are some tips to help you do that:

• Hang your towels to dry after each use. Don’t leave them on the floor, in a pile, or in a wet shower. Spread them out on a towel rack or a clothesline to allow air circulation and faster drying.
• Wash your towels regularly. Depending on how often you use them, you may need to wash your towels every three to five days. Use hot water (at least 140°F) and a mild detergent that doesn’t contain bleach or fabric softener. You can also add some vinegar or baking soda to the wash cycle to help remove odors and residues.
• Dry your towels completely. As soon as the wash cycle is done, transfer your towels to the dryer and run it on the highest heat setting until they are fully dry. You can also toss in some tennis balls or wool dryer balls to fluff up your towels and make them softer.
• Replace your towels periodically. Even with proper care, your towels will eventually wear out and lose their quality. You may want to replace them every one to two years, or whenever they start to look faded, frayed, or thin.

How Can I Get a Musty Smell Out of My Towels

Removing the musty smell out of towels is pretty easy. The processes are similar as we have mentioned before. Throw your towels into a washing machine with hot water and add one or two cups of vinegar.

Wash them again with hot water but this time, add half a cup of baking soda. If you are adding these two materials, you must not add any type of detergent or fabric softener.

After the washing is done, throw the towels into the dryer with tennis balls or dryer balls. Leave them until they are completely dried. If you still have doubts, you can take them out to sunlight to dry them further.

How to Get Mildew Stains Out of Towels

Removing mildew stains takes a bit of effort. Initially, you have to scrub the towels with a brush to get rid of loose mildew. Put the towels in a bucket of hot water and pour undiluted bleach over the towels.

After 30 minutes, wring the water out and rinse under cold water. Dry the towels into the sunlight or throw them into a dryer. This should permanently get rid of mildew stains from your towels.

How to Get Smell Out of Towels in Front Load Washer

If you own a front load washer, throw your towels into the washer with one cup of baking soda. Make sure the heat setting is at maximum.

Next, start the washer and let the water fill. Add two cups of vinegar with no additional detergent and let the load run through. After that, dry the towels in a dryer without adding any fabric softener.

How to Keep Towels Smelling Fresh in Closet

There are many ways to keep towels smelling fresh in the closet. One of them is to use baking soda. Add three tablespoons of baking soda into a container.

The container must have holes in the lid. Put that container inside the closet where towels are. What this does is that the baking soda will absorb the moisture and keep your towels from smelling musty.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Why do towels smell even after washing multiple times?

Ans: Washing towels with only water does not remove the germ. Over time, the towel accumulates germ and as a result, mildew grows. The bacterial growth causes a musty smell.

Conclusion

How to get the mildew smell out of the laundry room or the towel is a very common question. Towels are meant for continuous use. Naturally, it will get stained and mildew will grow. However, using the towel in such a state is unnerving. Following this article will help you eliminate the mildew and the resultant smell convincingly.

Ridding your bath towels of the mildew smell is not a daunting task, given the right approach. The musty smell is often a sign of lingering dampness and fungal growth, but by employing a few key strategies and maintaining some good habits, you can get the fresh and clean-smelling towels you desire. Wash your smelly towels in hot water with vinegar or baking soda, thoroughly dry towels immediately after washing, and always hang wet towels to dry rather than leaving them in a pile—these simple steps will combat the unpleasant odors and prevent future occurrences.

Remember, bath towels that are constantly damp are a breeding ground for mildew. So, whether you’ve just stepped out of the shower or mopped up a spill, never forget the importance of airing out your wet towels. The ultimate goal is to keep musty towels at bay to ensure a fresher, cleaner, and more hygienic environment for you and your family. With consistent efforts, your towels smell musty no more, proving once again that when it comes to household care, a proactive approach works wonders.

Hence, the mildew smell in your towels isn’t something you have to live with. With the tips provided in this guide, say goodbye to smelly towels, and embrace the welcoming aroma of clean, dry towels every time you step out of the bath or shower. Regular and meticulous washing and drying habits are the key. It’s a small price to pay for the sheer comfort and hygiene that comes from wrapping yourself in a fresh, dry, and pleasantly smelling towel.