How to Get Smell Out of Towels

Like any other fabric, towels can accumulate dirt and mold over time.

However, unlike our clothes, towels are made extraabsorbent, which means more bacteria can thrive. Bacteria and dirt buildup is what usually causes a musty smell.

The good news is that this is not something to stress about. Stinky towels are easy to get rid of.

Here are simple tips to make your towels smell fresh again:

How Get Smell Out of Towels and Get Rid of Mildew Smell

Deep cleaning your towels frequently can help extend their life and, in turn, help you save money.

It’s time to restock your laundry room with baking soda and replace your fabric softener dispenser with vinegar with these helpful tips:

3 Simple Ingredients:

One Cup of White Vinegar

Vinegar and Distilled white vinegar have many significant advantages:

• Vinegar is chemical-free which means you’re not only saving your towels from damage, but you also save the earth.
• Vinegar loosens soap buildup, which usually causes stinky odors.
• It can also remove stains and acts like bleach which is good news for your white towels.
• Vinegar is also an all-natural fabric softener.
• If you have colored towels, they are safe with vinegar, which helps stop the fading.
• Finally, vinegar will also clean your machine while washing your fabrics.

Do not be afraid of the sour smell or vinegar smell because a cup of vinegar will not leave that smell on your towels. Vinegar helps deodorize them.

One Cup of Baking Soda

Just like vinegar, baking soda has its advantages:

• It helps deodorize musty towels. It effectively removes terrible odors.
• Just like vinegar, baking soda acts like a chemical-free fabric softener.
• Baking soda also dissolves detergent residue effectively.
• Unlike vinegar, however, baking soda brightens towels. So if you have dark clothes or towels, expect a slight brightening.

Hot Water

Firstly, hot water helps remove laundry detergent, laundry soap, and fabric softener buildup. Secondly, it effectively kills any bacteria and dirt stuck to your towels. Hot water is ideal for washing cotton, linen, and durable synthetics.

Step-by-Step Guide: Two Wash Cycles

First, Machine Wash Using White Vinegar

Step 1: Load your front-loading washer with the stinky towels. Make sure to use hot water for the first wash cycle;
Step 2: Add 1 cup of vinegar where you usually put the detergent. The washing machine will release the vinegar just like during your regular wash cycle.

Make sure that you add just the vinegar. Do not add vinegar and detergent, or baking soda at the same time. This causes a chemical reaction that can ruin the fabric.

Step 3: Once the washing is done, let your towels finish one rinse cycle with lukewarm water;

Second Wash Cycle: Using Baking Soda

Step 1: After the vinegar wash, drain the water and do not dry your towels just yet;
Step 2: Add all the towels to your front load washing machine for the second wash;
Step 3: This time, add 1 cup of baking soda directly to your towels inside the tank;
Step 4: Let the tank be filled with hot water before starting the cycle.
Step 5: Once the washing, rinse with lukewarm water;
Step 6: Let your towels go through the drying cycle, or if not, let them air dry.

Get Smell Out of Towels: Bath Towels Cleaning Tips

Drying your Towels

Make sure to check if your towels are completely dry before keeping them in your closet or throwing them in the hamper. The number one reason why there is a musty smell coming from your towels is that they do not see the light of day. So always dry towels immediately and do not soak towels over long periods.

Washing Towels: Make a Regular Schedule

Add “wash towels” to your regular washing schedule. This can be as frequent as once a week or twice a month. Don’t wait for the smelly towel to bother you before you hand wash or machine wash them.

With regular washing, there is also regular changing of towels. To keep towels soft and absorbent, we have to balance the time spent using them and the washing schedule.

Linen Spray

Linen sprays are usually made of natural and chemical-free ingredients. That’s why they are safe to use on clothes, bedsheets, and towels.

These sprays are also great because of their essential oil infusions. Different linen sprays will have different essential oils that can be used as aromatherapy to help sleep and relax.

One of the best natural linen spray to use is The Crown Choice Tropical Eucalyptus. This linen spray is made from natural ingredients. It has aromatherapy oils that emit a relaxing smell. It is safe for children or pets as it includes no harmful chemicals.

How to use Linen Sprays:

Use 1: While your towels are stored in the closet, you can spray a mist of linen spray to keep them smelling fresh;
Use 2: Hand towels in the bathroom can also use a mist of linen spray to maintain a great scent inside the room;
Use 3: The same can be done to the kitchen and dish towels, especially after cooking.

Some linen sprays may have antibacterial properties to help eliminate germs and bacteria.

Recycle or Throw Out Old Towels

When towels are no longer in good shape and are very old, it is time to throw them away. However, some towels, if still usable, can still be recycled into other valuable items:

Idea 1: Repurpose it as a bath mat. Other creative people even sew or braid towel strips to match their bathroom aesthetic.
Idea 2: Turn it into a mop cover. Instead of replacing your mop cloths, try covering them with towels instead.
Idea 3: Make potholders. Different stitching patterns and designs are available to follow online to ensure your new potholders feel like the real ones.

How to Get Smell Out of Towels and Keep It Soft:

When Using Detergent:

Use the correct amount of detergent:

Tip 1: If you have a high-efficiency machine, match your detergent with it and use HE detergent.
Tip 2: Always follow the manufacturer’s measurement recommendation. You’re likely to use more detergent when you eyeball the measurement.

Dryer Sheet

Take advantage of dryer sheets. Dryer sheets work by neutralizing the effects of buildup static in fabrics leaving your towels soft.

Dish Soap

Although dish soap could be a substitute for your regular laundry soap, we recommend using laundry products instead. Dish soap is made to wash dishes, and laundry products wash clothes and other fabrics. They are made of ingredients that make them effective fabric cleaners.

How to Get Smell Out of Towels and Keep it Fresh?

Eliminating odors from your towels is easy, especially if you have vinegar, baking soda, and a washing machine.

These ingredients are also great replacements for your regular detergent and fabric softeners. You can say goodbye to musty smells as long as you regularly wash your towels and keep them dry after use.

You will never hear anyone ask why do the towels smell musty.