Stinky Towels

stargirl021

I have smelly towels.  I think I've had them for too long.

 

Does anyone else have this problem when towels get wet?? 

KPSimon

Maybe try some vinegar or baking soda in the wash...?  And make sure to wash them in the hottest water possible (at least until you get the smell gone).  And making sure they are completely dry from the dryer before hanging them up/folding them/putting them away etc

agreg521

vinegar in the wash

cotner

My mom has this issue.  She doesn't get them in the dryer right away and they get musty.  She wasn't able to get the smell out.  Start new and get them in the dryer on hot as soon as you can after the wash cycle.

bkg1209

If they're white, try adding a cup of bleach to the wash. If not...maybe color-safe bleach then.

pavingtheroad

I agree try using some vinegar and put them into the dryer right away when finished washing. Don't leave towels wet when using them, hang them to dry

MontereyBride

The hot water is completely unnecessary. For any and all laundry. 

Hang dry your towels between uses. Throw them in the wash with your regular detergent, baking soda, and, for good measure, borax.

Pour distilled white vinegar in the fabric softener dispenser (you can do this for everything if you want). 

Cold water wash and rinse.

Dry (without a fabric sheet - that's what the vinegar is for) until they are bone dry on high heat. 

 

Bathlove

I had the same problem. I poured vinegar (like a cup or so) in the wash with the towels and it seemed to work.

Life&Gwen

MontereyBride:

The hot water is completely unnecessary. For any and all laundry. 

Hang dry your towels between uses. Throw them in the wash with your regular detergent, baking soda, and, for good measure, borax.

Pour distilled white vinegar in the fabric softener dispenser (you can do this for everything if you want). 

Cold water wash and rinse.

Dry (without a fabric sheet - that's what the vinegar is for) until they are bone dry on high heat. 

 

This exactly, with the borax or any store brand of washing soda.  Higher water pH makes it easier for the soap to get to work.  But the main thing was getting my H to adjust his bath towel habits- my MIL always taught them to put their towels, folded, back on the towel bar to keep the bathroom looking tidy.  I say leave them single-layer over the bar, or on a small drying rack, so they dry completely between uses.  

 

And to save electricity, we usually high-spin them in the wash, then hang dry them overnight and just give them a high-temp blast in the dryer for 20 minutes or so; they're still completely dry, soft and fluffy, but it cut down our electric bill significantly...

 

Good luck, I know how frustrating this is, every time you get out of the shower, that smell just kills the "just clean" feeling. 

Life&Gwen

MontereyBride:

The hot water is completely unnecessary. For any and all laundry. 

Hang dry your towels between uses. Throw them in the wash with your regular detergent, baking soda, and, for good measure, borax.

Pour distilled white vinegar in the fabric softener dispenser (you can do this for everything if you want). 

Cold water wash and rinse.

Dry (without a fabric sheet - that's what the vinegar is for) until they are bone dry on high heat. 

 

This exactly, with the borax or any store brand of washing soda.  Higher water pH makes it easier for the soap to get to work.  But the main thing was getting my H to adjust his bath towel habits- my MIL always taught them to put their towels, folded, back on the towel bar to keep the bathroom looking tidy.  I say leave them single-layer over the bar, or on a small drying rack, so they dry completely between uses.  

 

And to save electricity, we usually high-spin them in the wash, then hang dry them overnight and just give them a high-temp blast in the dryer for 20 minutes or so; they're still completely dry, soft and fluffy, but it cut down our electric bill significantly...

 

Good luck, I know how frustrating this is, every time you get out of the shower, that smell just kills the "just clean" feeling.