How to Get Mildew Smell Out of Towels

Towels serve the important role of drying your hair and skin after bathing. They can be used for drying dishes, drying your hands frequently and even cleaning areas around the house.

Unfortunately, damp towels are prone to developing mildew. Well before you see mildew, you can smell it. It might smell sour or musty. How do you get the mildew smell out of your towels?

Why Do Towels Smell Mildewy?

Towels are highly absorbent by nature, so they dry more slowly than many other materials. A musty smell indicates mildew and even bacteria growing in your towel’s thick fibers.

In many cases, towels smell musty because they didn’t dry out fast enough. However, there may be other culprits. For example, if your towels and clothes come out of the washing machine smelling bad, the culprit could be a dirty washing machine.

Quick Fixes to Try First

If musty-smelling towels are a common occurrence in your home, there are a few quick and easy fixes that could reduce or even eliminate the smell going forward.

Hang Towels in Direct Sunlight

UV rays kill bacteria and mildew. One of the easiest ways to ensure your towels dry quickly and to eliminate bacteria and mildew at the same time is to hang up wet towels in direct sunlight.

For example, you can place beach and pool towels over the back of a chair on the patio. If you have a window in your bathroom, hang the towels up to dry close to the window.

Air Dry Completely Before Storing

Crumpled and folded towels take much longer to dry out than flat or hanging towels. To hasten drying time, avoid balling up wet towels or throwing them on the floor. Let them air dry completely before storing them away in a closet.

Use a Fan or Dehumidifier in the Bathroom

A fan promotes faster drying time by increasing air circulation. A dehumidifier extracts moisture from the air, which also speeds up drying time.

Bathrooms are inherently moist and humid areas, which means towels take more time to dry here even when they are hanging up. Turn on a fan or dehumidifier to minimize mildew and bacteria growth.

Deep Cleaning Methods to Remove Mildew Smell

If your towels already smell like mildew, you may be inclined to toss them in the washing machine right away. However, using your regular laundry detergent isn’t the most effective option. Instead, use one of these options to completely strip your towels of mildew smell.

The Vinegar Method

Vinegar is comprised of acetic acid, which is far more suitable for removing mildew and bacteria from your laundry than your regular detergent.

Place only two or three towels in the washing machine at a time. This promotes better agitation during the wash cycle. Use the warmest water setting recommended for the material and your preferred laundry detergent. In addition, add a cup of distilled white vinegar to the load.

The Baking Soda Boost

In some instances, vinegar alone isn’t enough to remove the mildewy smell from towels. If this is the case, wash your laundry with vinegar as described above. Then, rewash them.

This time, pour a half-cup of baking soda directly into the water in the washing machine. Don’t add the baking soda and vinegar to your washing machine for the same wash cycle.

The Borax or Oxygen Bleach Solution

These are powerful cleaning products that will remove even the toughest odors. First, decide which of these products to use. Don’t combine them. Add a cup of your chosen product to your load along with your regular laundry detergent.

Importance of Drying Towels Completely

Even a lightly damp towels is a haven for mildew and bacteria growth. These growths are more likely when the towels remain damp for longer time periods.

Dry your towels and clothes immediately after the washing cycle concludes. Only pull them out of the dryer when all traces of moisture are gone.

FAQs

Why Do My Towels Still Smell After Washing Them?

If your towels still smell after washing them, your washing machine may have mildew in it. Deep cleaning the appliance is necessary. After taking this step, use one of the methods listed above to get rid of the mildewy smell in your laundry.

How Often Should I Wash My Towels to Prevent Mildew?

If you shower daily, your towels should be washed every three to four days. Hand towels and kitchen towels also should be washed as frequently. If your towels are used less frequently, wash them after every three to five uses.

Can I Use Fabric Softener to Get Rid of the Smell?

To eliminate an unpleasant mildew smell, you need to kill the mildew and bacteria growing on the towels. Fabric softener will only mask the smell. To get rid of the smell, you need to use white vinegar, baking soda, borax or oxygen bleach in the washing machine.

When to Replace Your Towels

Over time, towels lose their absorbency. In addition, getting rid of odors can be more challenging. If you notice that your towels are worn or if you can’t get rid of bad smells, it’s time to replace the towels. Generally, a good rule of thumb is to replace towels every two or three years.

Your towels aren’t the only things that can get mildewy fast. Bathrooms, kitchens, laundry rooms and even windowsills are problem areas. The easy way to stay on top of mildew is with professional cleaning services from Cleanzen. To learn about our customizable cleaning services, contact Cleanzen Boston today.