Why Your Freshly-Washed Towels Might Stink (And How To Fix It)

Grabbing a towel to dry off post-shower only to get a whiff of a musty smell might not leave you feeling the cleanest, but this phenomenon is not unique. The smell is the product of bacterial or mildew growth, which can be caused by towels sitting damp for too long or the buildup of body oils and soap. It's also more common in super-humid bathrooms where ventilation may be lacking, when towels are stacked and stored before fully drying, or when towels are wadded up on the floor after use. The towels' fibers can cling to moisture, giving bacteria plenty of time to develop, which may not fully wash out during a regular wash cycle.

Taking steps to keep towels dry, such as hanging them up after use, can help mitigate this issue. Making sure they're fully dry before storing them is also a simple tip that'll help stop your towels from smelling musty and stale over time. However, a deep cleaning with vinegar may be necessary in the meantime. Vinegar contains acetic acid, which neutralizes bad smells. It can break down the molecules that create the odors, permanently eliminating them rather than simply masking the musty stench.

To remove the bad smells from your stinky towels, fill a bucket or tub with white distilled vinegar and add the affected towels. Let them soak for at least 30 minutes so the vinegar has time to break down the odor-causing molecules, then rinse the towels in the bathtub or sink. (You may want to do a spot check on your towels before letting them soak to check for adverse reactions, especially if they're made of a delicate material.) After your towels are rinsed, place them in your washing machine and wash them with laundry detergent and warm water. Immediately after the wash cycle ends, add them to the dryer and dry them fully.

During the drying cycle, avoid using fabric softener. The negative way fabric softener affects your towels and linens is through its waxy buildup that creates a barrier on the fabric, potentially trapping bacteria and making soap less effective. Instead, opt for an alternative, like wool dryer balls to keep towels soft and fluffy, or one of these five wool dryer ball alternatives that are perfect for laundry day.