How to Remove Mildew Smell From Towels

You grab a “clean” towel to dry yourself off and then the damp musty smell hits you. It’s one of those towels that was just taken out of the washing machine, but inexplicably smells like it was never actually washed due to the trapped mildew and bacteria odor. This begins the cycle of throwing it into the washing machine over and over again hoping that the next round will be the one to fix it.

Introduction: Why Towels Develop a Mildew Smell

Towels act like sponges. They absorb water, sweat, remnants of soap and body oils. They do not dry completely and promptly, and thus they create an ideal condition for the growth of mildew and odor-bearing bacteria. Towels are likely to acquire mildew smell or sour smells due to common reasons such as:

• Being hung up in a steamy bathroom that is never allowed to fully dry between uses.
• Leaving wet towels in a pile, hamper or washer for hours or days.
• Residue and odors becoming trapped in the fibres because of excessive detergent or fabric softener
• Poor rinsing and cleaning because of washer overloading 

This effect is compounded over time. The damp environment encourages bacteria and mildew until eventually the smell may not go away even after regular washes. 

What Causes Towels to Smell Musty or Sour?

"Musty," "sour", and "mildew" smells in towels usually boil down to the same root causes:

• Mildew or mold beginning to grow on wet fabric
• Sweat, body oils and skin cells that are trapped in the towel for bacteria to feed upon
• Detergent residue that clings to smells rather than rinsing them away
• Incomplete drying which is particularly noticeable in moist bathrooms and busy linen closets

If your towels are clean and have been through multiple washes but they stubbornly hold onto that sour smell, then it is probably time to seek a different approach than trying to wash them again. A common mistake is to simply try using even more detergent which only makes the situation worse, not better.

Signs Your Towels Have Mildew Buildup

You can usually tell towels have mildew or build-up if:

• You smell a musty, sour or "wet dog"-like smell from them even after being washed
• That smell stubbornly returns the minute the towel becomes damp again
• The fabric feels stiffer, heavier or less absorbent than it did earlier
• Faint discoloration or spots can be seen but they are not easily washed out

But if you are suffering from persistent odor and you have attempted washing it out a couple of times, then perhaps it’s time for an odor removal cycle, not a regular cycle.

How to Get Mildew Smell Out of Towels at Home

The solution to ridding towels of a mildew smell starts with the accumulation holding bacteria and residual detergent. Then it removes the bacteria and similar odor-producing organisms that in turn remove the odor-causing bacteria. It is incredibly important to pay attention and properly dry the result. The most trusted way to do this is with white vinegar and baking soda in separate wash cycles. The fundamental procedure is to use hot water, white distilled vinegar and no detergent in the wash for the first time. Then for the second wash use hot water and baking soda in the wash. These steps need to be followed by quickly drying them right after washing.

Let's break down each step.

Wash Towels With Vinegar

Put the washing machine on a hot water setting. Pour 1 -2 cups of white distilled vinegar directly into the drum or detergent dispenser and be sure to not combine any detergents, bleaches or fabric softeners. Complete a full cycle and depending on the capabilities of your machine, insert a rinse cycle. The acid bath formed by this vinegar will dissolve all bacteria, mildew, and any residual detergent to free trapped odors.

Use Baking Soda to Neutralize Odors

The next step in the process is to repeat the hot water wash cycle but with a half cup of baking soda added directly to the drum along with the same towels. It’s imperative that you keep an eye on what the instructions on the care labels of your towel say in specific as far as temperature is concerned. This process needs to be completed without adding any detergent or softener and only adding baking soda for the wash. The baking soda plays an important role at this step because it removes any stiffening of the towels accompanied by any odor the acidic process may have left them with.

Rewash Towels the Right Way

The vinegar and the baking soda steps need to be followed by a quick standard wash. Remember to keep the load light. Use a minimal amount of detergent and fabric softener because they will trap the odor that we worked to remove in all the previous steps. Run the wash through a hot or warm cycle keeping in mind the care label on the package. This is the final step of the wash process and it removes any remaining vinegar or soda smells.

Dry Towels Completely to Stop Odors

Not drying the towels properly could be one of the major reasons that your towels are musty smelling in the first place. If you have always had a problem understanding how to get the smell out of towels and keep your towels smelling fresh, then the drying part may have slipped your mind. After washing the towels as explained in the washing part, the next step would be to place the towels in the dryer machine as soon as you can. Note that the care labels indicate the maximum heat setting allowed.

Another cause of improper drying is overloading the dryer so use a smaller load that will let air circulate more. If you’re looking to air-dry your towels instead choose a windy day with a lot of sun to assist in natural deodorisation and rapid drying.

Should You Use Hot or Cold Water for Mildewy Towels?

The temperature of the water you use does actually affect the process of removing mildew odor from towels. Hot water is more effective in removing mildew and sour smells because the heat helps in breaking down body oils and killing bacteria. It also helps activate the vinegar and baking soda used in the washing process.

In general, it is advised to use hot water to deep clean mildewy towels. Of course all of these instructions must be followed as long as the care label states that you can. After you succeed in removing the smell you can resume using your preferred temperature of water, warm or cool for the following regular washes to protect your towel’s color and fibres. To handle any concerns you have about your towels fading because of hot water, you can check the care label and test one towel with hot water. You can make a decision moving forward based on how this “test” looks and feels after it comes out.

How to Remove Mildew Smell From Towels Without Vinegar

If you do not like the idea of using vinegar for your laundry or if you simply don’t have any on hand, not to worry- there are still other options. Other methods to remove mildew smell from towels include:

• Using a commercial odor-removing booster or an oxygen bleach that was made for laundry by following the directions on the package.
• Washing towels using baking soda with a little bit of detergent followed by an extra rinse cycle.
• Trying an extended hot wash with a special sportswear or heavy smells detergent

The key is still the same, regardless of the method you use. Deep clean, rinse well and dry completely.

When Mildew Smell Won’t Come Out of Towels

Sometimes no matter how many tricks you use, the smell is just too stubborn to go away. This may occur if mildew has been growing in the fibres of the towel over an extended period of time without remedy in the middle. You may need to change your towels if:

• You see visible mould or mildew spots on your towel which cannot be washed out.
• Towels still have a sour or musty smell even after several serious attempts to remove it.
• There are changes in the fabric such as feeling thin, rough or worn out aside from the bad smell.

However once you are aware of these changes, the best thing you should do for your nose and health is to begin afresh using brand new towels and then focus on prevention moving forward.

How to Prevent Towels From Smelling Like Mildew

The good news is: once you manage to successfully get rid of the smell of mildew from your towels, you'll find it much easier to prevent it again in the future compared to the whole process of removing odors again.Preventing towels from smelling like mildew involves small but regular habits that make a big difference in the overall care of your towels.

Dry Towels Immediately After Washing

Letting clean towels sit in the washer will only invite mildew right back and keep the odor persistent. This happens more frequently than most people think and accounts for a large portion of musty odor in towels. To avoid this you need to move towels straight to the dryer when the wash cycle ends, or as soon as you possibly can.

If you cannot dry them immediately remove them from the washer and hang them out to air so that you can dry them properly later but they receive proper airflow until then. The longer your towels are bundled up and damp, the deeper the smell will be embedded in your towels and the longer it will take to eventually eliminate the musty smell.

Avoid Fabric Softener on Towels

You may initially be inclined to believe that liquid fabric softeners and dryer sheets simply create a soft fabric. However, after a given time period, a thin layer forms on a towel due to fabric softeners and dryer sheets. This coating or layer is very damaging to the texture of a towel over time. The film on your towel traps moisture, soap residue and eventually odor.

Gradually this coating harms the fabric texture which is the complete opposite of what you originally used fabric softener for. However, if you like your towels fluffy, you can still experience the joys of a soft towel by replacing liquid fabric softeners and dryer sheets with wool dryer balls. Other than that, it is also a good idea to do occasional vinegar and baking soda reset washes to enhance your overall laundry experience.

Don’t Overload the Washer or Linen Closet

Another common laundry error is the tendency to overload the washing machine. You may think that by washing all the laundry at the same session, you will save on both money and time, but the fact is that the washing machine is overloaded with clothes, as well as towels, with no space for the clothes to be washed and rinsed properly.

The same applies when storing towels in a closet. When towels are packed tightly for storage they can retain moisture and cause odor which goes unnoticed until the next time you use them. Towels should be stored in a dry and well-ventilated area to prevent this. Do not pile them up when they are still warm from the dryer because they need proper ventilation.

Keep Your Washing Machine Clean

Sometimes it’s simply not a towel problem but a washing machine problem. This means that the smell you keep finding might not be from the towels but the washing machine itself. If your washing machine is dirty or musty the odors can pass onto clean loads without you even realizing. The best way to keep your washer fresh is to run an empty hot cycle about once a month. Ideally, this cycle should be run with washing machine cleaner but if you don’t have any on hand, a cup of white vinegar would do the trick too. Do not overlook this simple and small step because it plays a key role in preventing recurring smells for all of your laundry. 

How Often Should You Wash Towels to Prevent Odors?

It is natural for towels that you use to pick up body oils, skin cells and bacteria over time even when you do everything right and follow perfect drying habits. It is important to wash your towels regularly from both a smell and hygiene perspective. Experts often recommend the following washing frequency:

• Bath towels: every 3 to 4 uses
• Hand towels: every 1 to 2 days
• Washcloths and gym towels: after each use

Sometimes the smell is caused due to improper drying or because your bathroom is constantly humid. Other situations that hinder towels from fully drying also cause odor. In these situations, wash them more regularly and try to follow proper drying and airflow measures.

When to Replace Towels With Persistent Mildew Smell

By nature of their frequent use and close contact with sweat and bacteria, towels are prone to damage even if you take perfect care of them and follow all the right steps. If none of the steps above have resolved the persistent mildew smell from your towels the best course of action is to simply let them go.Consider changing towels when:

• You can notice a visible change in the fabric of your towel such as  thin, rough, or frayed fabric.
• No deep cleaning methods work anymore to remove the smell.
• You often find recurring spots or stains that you cannot wash out.

Replacing your towel that carries mildew and odor with a fresh clean towel is transformational in your overall hygiene. mindset. It plays a vital role in making you feel more clean and rejuvenated post-shower. 

Skip the Hassle With No Scrubs Laundry Service

If all this hassle around specific laundry steps and care makes you think "I do not want to deal with this", you are not alone. Deep cleaning towels, drying and caring for them properly along with keeping up with general laundry is a time-consuming and high-effort task, especially when you are already busy.

With No Scrubs, you can leave the whole process to a qualified and experienced professional and free up your time for activities that matter more to you. Your towels are collected, hand-washed using professional care, dried properly and returned clean, fresh and neatly folded, usually in as little as about four hours for a standard load. Instead of worrying about how to get rid of mildew smell from towels every few weeks, you can remove the entire chore of "laundry" from your list, and know your towels are being handled the right way.