Skip to main content

Smelly Towels? 4 Easy Ways to Fix It

The last thing you want to do when you step out of a nice warm shower is dry yourself off with a nasty-smelling towel. The stench can be overwhelming, and it really puts a damper on that “fresh from the shower” feeling. Luckily, this problem is easy to solve! With a few strategic cleaning cycles, the musty stench can be a thing of the past.

Here’s how:
The Golden Towel Rule: Do not let your towels stay wet! For each of these methods, it’s important that the towels are dried immediately. Set a timer to ensure that your clothes are switched from the washing machine to the dryer promptly. If you line dry, hang the wet towels in a sunny spot until they’re completely dry.

Method #1: Vinegar Riding Solo
Musty, smelly towels don’t play well with others, so give them their own load. Add one cup of white vinegar to the load – no detergent or fabric softener – and run the washer on the hottest possible setting. The vinegar will kill any lingering bacteria. Then, leave the clothes in the washing machine and run a “normal” load with a standard amount of detergent.    Tip: Don’t add other items to your cycle – the towels should ride alone!

Method #2: Baking Soda and Vinegar Combo
You may remember the baking soda-vinegar combo from your grade school science class days (think: homemade volcano), but these two kitchen powerhouses work well outside of the beaker, too! For this strategy, you’ll run two towels-only cycles. In the first towels-only cycle, add a quarter cup of baking soda and then run the hottest cycle possible. Then, during the second cycle, add a full cup of white vinegar. Think of it as a one-two punch to knock out bacteria and mildew.

Method #3: Microwave Your Hand Towels
If your stinky culprit is a hand or kitchen towel, moisten it and pop that baby in the microwave for 30 seconds. The zap from the microwave will kill bacteria. Important: Let it sit in the microwave for about 10 minutes before removing the towel to avoid a burn. 

Method #4: Double-Whammy Detergent
Sometimes, a double-dose of detergent over two cycles is all your towels will need to kick bacteria to the curb. Keep the load “towels only,” and run the same load back-to-back using your normal amount of detergent in each cycle. Tip: Avoid using fabric softener because it can add residue to towels and make them less absorbent.


If None of These Work: Still got must or mildew? The problem may be your washing machine itself. (This is especially true if you use a front-load washer.) If so, run an empty cycle on the hottest setting and add two cups of white vinegar. This will kill any bacteria lingering in the machine.


Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Clearing the Air: Indoor Air Quality Concerns After Water and Fire Damage

  When a home or business experiences water or fire damage, the immediate focus is often on the visible destruction. Charred walls, soaked carpets, and ruined possessions dominate our attention. However, a significant but less obvious concern is the impact these events have on indoor air quality (IAQ). Addressing these concerns is crucial for health, safety, and a successful restoration process. The Unseen Dangers: Indoor Air Contaminants 1. Mold and Mildew Water damage, whether from floods, burst pipes, or firefighting efforts, creates a perfect breeding ground for mold and mildew. These fungi thrive in damp, warm environments and can start growing within 24-48 hours after water exposure. Mold spores are airborne and can cause respiratory issues, allergic reactions, and other health problems, especially for those with preexisting conditions like asthma. 2. Smoke and Soot Fire damage leaves behind more than just ashes. Smoke and soot particles can infiltrate your HVAC system, carp...
Post a Comment
Read more

Common places for moisture - in the Attic, Basement and Crawl space

Moisture is a pervasive problem that can wreak havoc on your home if not addressed promptly. It can lead to structural damage, mold growth, and a host of health issues. Three of the most common areas where moisture problems often arise are the attic, basement, and crawl space. Understanding the causes and solutions for moisture in these areas can help you maintain a healthy and safe home environment. The Attic Causes of Moisture in the Attic Roof Leaks: One of the most common causes of moisture in the attic is a leaky roof. Damaged shingles, flashing, or vents can allow water to seep in during rainstorms. Poor Ventilation: Attics require proper ventilation to expel warm, moist air. Without adequate ventilation, moisture can accumulate, especially in colder months when warm air from the living space rises. Improper Insulation: Insufficient or improperly installed insulation can lead to condensation. When warm air from the house meets the cold surfaces of the attic, it can create mois...
Post a Comment
Read more

Is there a difference between Mold and Mildew?

With water damage claims on the rise, we hear a lot of talk these days about the dangers of mold.  Within 24 to 48 hours of water damage, mildew and mold can start growing on wood products, tiles, drywall, carpets, fabrics and other organic materials.  Even worse, it will continue to grow until steps are taken to eliminate the source of moisture, and effectively deal with the problem.  So what is the difference between mold and mildew?  Plain and simple, mildew and mold are both fungi. Fungi can live in many different types of environments such as in soil, on vegetation, and on surfaces exposed to moist conditions like a wall or ceiling after flood damage. Fungi reproduce by spores and can spread quickly. What is Mildew?  Mildew is mold in its early stage and often the term is used interchangeably with the word mold. That whitish-gray, powdery substance sometimes seen on the leaves of a plant is mildew. Mildew is a surface fungi that grows on organic material li...
Post a Comment
Read more