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The Best Ways to Remove Musty Towel Odors
September 1, 2023
-
By
Sophia Grant
Towels are extremely absorbent, which makes them excellent for cleaning up spills and messes.
If wet towels aren’t dried properly, however, the moisture can attract contaminants which can lead to a musty smell.
If that happens, you’ll want to wash them thoroughly with laundry detergent. That’ll eliminate the musty smell and keep them smelling fresh.
Why Is There a Musty Towel Smell?
Several things can cause your towels to develop an odor, including:
Too Much Moisture in the Towel
Towels might be great for wiping liquids with, however, they’re not meant to stay wet. The moisture will only attract contaminants which can result in a noticeable odor.
To prevent this problem, hang up your damp towels and allow them to air dry. Do not leave them wet in your laundry basket.
A Build-up of Fabric Softener on the Fabric
Fabric softener will not only decrease the absorbency of your towels but it can also make them smelly. This has to do with the fact that it prevents cotton fibers from rinsing out cleanly, which then attracts dirt and smells.
Given that, it’s best not to add anything to the fabric softener compartment.
Residue in the Washer
A dirty washing machine can deposit residues on your towels, which can lead to a musty smell. To prevent that, we recommend cleaning your washing machine once every few weeks with an appropriate cleaner.
How to Wash Stinky Towels
Fortunately, it’s easy to wash musty towels – all you need is a washing machine.
Step 1: Add ACTIVE Laundry Booster
Add one to two scoops of ACTIVE Enzyme Laundry Booster into the drum.
Step 2: Place Your Towels In and Add Detergent
Separate your damp towels by color (i.e. lights with lights, darks with darks) and place them in the washer. Then, add one scoop of ACTIVE Detergent.
Step 3: Run a Wash Cycle
Once the detergent is in, run a hot wash cycle. The heat will help remove residues that are on the smelly towels.
Step 4: Transfer to Dryer
inished and transfer them to the dryer. Tumble dry on low heat.
Supply:
- ACTIVE Detergent
- ACTIVE Enzyme Laundry Booster
Towels tend to absorb the colors of other garments so it’s best to wash them by themselves.
ACTIVE Enzyme Laundry Booster
Deep cleans the fibers on musty towels to remove odors at the source.
Why ACTIVE Enzyme Laundry Booster Is the Best Choice
While laundry detergent is designed to wash your clothes, sometimes it’s not enough to get rid of those stubborn stains and smells. That’s where ACTIVE Laundry Enzyme Booster comes in.
It features a concentrated enzyme formula that will boost the effectiveness of your laundry detergent. Not only that but it will also brighten your garments and fabrics – it’s a win-win!
It’s compatible with all washing machines as well, including high-efficiency models. The formula is also natural and non-toxic, meaning you won’t be exposing yourself and your family to potentially harmful chemicals.
Simply add one to two scoops of ACTIVE Enzyme Laundry Booster to the drum, before loading your clothes into the washer. It will automatically work its magic once the cycle begins.
How to Freshen Towels Easily
There are a few things that you can try if your towels smell musty even after washing.
Run a Vinegar Wash
White vinegar is slightly acidic and can be used to freshen your towels.
Supplies:
- White vinegar
Step 1:
Put your towels in the washing machine and add one cup of vinegar. Keep the detergent or fabric softener compartments empty.
Step 2:
For the best results, run a hot water cycle.
Alternatively, you can soak the towels in a vinegar-water mixture. Launder as normal afterwards.
Use White Vinegar with Baking Soda
Vinegar works great but sometimes you need a little extra deodorizing power and that’s where baking soda comes in.
Supplies:
- White vinegar
- Baking soda
Step 1:
Place the towels in the washing machine and fill it with hot water.
Step 2:
Measure one cup of vinegar, pour it into the tub, and start a wash cycle.
Step 3:
When the cycle is finished, refill the machine with more hot water. This time, add half a cup of baking soda. Run a second cycle.
Wash Towels with Bleach
You can also eliminate smells with bleach. Keep in mind, however, that this method is only suitable for white towels as it’ll strip colors and dyes.
Supplies:
- Bleach
Step 1:
Add half a cup to your washing machine and run a hot water cycle.
For the best results, soak the towels in the bleach for 15 to 30 minutes before washing.
Soak Towels with Detergent and Hot Water
You can also freshen your towels by soaking them in detergent and hot water.
Supplies:
- ACTIVE Detergent
- Hot water
Step 1:
Fill a large tub with hot water and add one scoop of ACTIVE Detergent powder. Mix the solution by swishing the water.
Step 2:
Place the towels in the tub once the detergent is dissolved and let them to soak for a couple of hours.
After soaking, you can machine wash the towels as normal.
How to Keep Your Towels Fresh
Clean Your Washing Machine
You can prevent your towels from smelling by keeping the washer clean. An easy way to do this is by running a ‘Clean Cycle’ once every month with ACTIVE Washing Machine Cleaner.
If your machine doesn’t have that setting, you can pour a cup of white vinegar into the dispenser and let it run with hot water. Make sure to leave the door open for at least 20 minutes after the cycle finishes so that the moisture can escape.
Pro-tip: Don’t forget to clean the gasket as well. You can do this using an all-purpose cleaner and a clean cloth.
Make Sure the Towels Are Completely Dry
Make sure your towels are completely dry before putting them away. Don’t store them away even if they’re a little wet as it can lead to contaminants developing.
Similarly, you don’t want to leave wet, used towels in the hamper. Allow them to air dry instead.
Add the Appropriate Amount of Detergent
Using too much laundry detergent can do more harm than good to your towels. The residue will remain on the fabric, which will attract dirt and smells.
Given that, you only want to use the necessary amount as per the instructions on the packaging. Remember, less is more.
Skip the Fabric Softener
Fabric softener is not good for towels. Not only will it make the material less absorbent by coating them with a wax-like substance but it will also keep unwanted residues and contaminants inside the fibers.
White vinegar is a great alternative if you want to soften up your towels. It’s also a great way to keep your towels smelling fresh.
Don’t Leave Your Towels Inside the Washing Machine
Take your towels out of the washer as soon as the wash cycle is finished. You don’t want to leave them in as the dark, wet environment will attract contaminants that can lead to musty smells.
Always Hang Your Towel Up
Make a habit of hanging up your towels. You want to let them dry completely between uses so that they won’t develop an odor.
Deep Clean Your Towels Every Once in a While
It’s a good idea to wash your towels in hot water on the longest setting every once in a while – that will help keep them clean and fresh.
Make sure they are dried completely before folding and putting them away.
Do Not Use Your Towel For Too Long
As a general rule, you want to wash your towel after three to four uses. Any longer, and you may be exposing your skin to undesired contaminants.
However, that you’ll want to wash it earlier if you notice a musty smell.
Cleaning Musty Towels – FAQs
Why do my towels smell musty after washing?
Detergent build-up can cause your freshly washed towels to smell musty. This happens when the soap residue builds up in the cotton fibers, which prevents the material from absorbing water; this prevents the towel from drying properly, which leads to a musty odor.
Over time, contaminants will also start to develop on the fabric, which worsens the smell.
What’s the best product for cleaning musty towels?
ACTIVE Enzyme Laundry Booster is the best choice when it comes to cleaning musty towels. For one thing, it features a bio-enzymatic formula that’s safe to use on all fabrics. It can also be used to boost any laundry detergent, from liquids to powders.
This is especially true when it is paired with ACTIVE Detergent as it also contains plant-based enzymes.
Can I clean musty odors with baking soda?
Yes, you can clean musty odors with white vinegar. For the best results, we recommend adding one cup of vinegar to the washing machine and running a hot water cycle.
Alternatively, you can wash your towels with white vinegar and baking soda. Simply run a second hot cycle after the vinegar cycle and add half a cup of baking soda.
How do you keep towels from mildewing?
Always follow the dosing instructions when adding detergent. Using too much will cause residue build-up, which will prevent your towels from drying properly, which can lead to mildew.
Also, make sure the towels are completely dry after washing before storing them away.
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Sophia Grant
Sophia Grant brings her extensive knowledge of laundry and clothing care to the masses with her intensive cleaning guides. Her thorough understanding of fabrics, detergents, and washing techniques helps readers master the art of maintaining their wardrobe. Sophia's advice ensures that anyone can achieve professional-level results at home, keeping their garments looking pristine and lasting longer.
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