How To Get the Smell Out of Towels and Keep Them Soft & Fresh
We've all been there, grabbing a towel off the rack, hoping to feel soft and fresh, only to find stiff fabric and a musty, sour smell. No matter how often you wash them, stinky towels can eventually become an annoying part of your everyday routine.
Inappropriate washing or drying practices, such as using excessive detergent that causes buildup, skipping hot water cycles, or folding towels before they are completely dry, are usually the cause of the issue. These minor errors provide bacteria and mildew with the ideal environment to grow and ensnare odors deep within the fibers.
Using DIY techniques like vinegar and baking soda washes, appropriate drying methods, and smart storage, we'll explain exactly how to get the smell out of towels in this blog.
Additionally, we'll look at how ByNext's skilled Restaurant Laundry Service can manage high-volume towel care, keeping them soft, hygienic, and odor-free without the hassle for establishments that rely on immaculate linens, like spas, gyms, or restaurants.
Why Do My Towels Still Smell Musty After Washing?
Usually, trapped moisture or buildup is the cause of stinky towels that persist after washing. Towels that don't dry completely, such as gym towels left in a wet bag, provide the ideal conditions for the growth of mildew.
While enough air circulation during drying allows that musty odor to persist, excessive detergent use can also leave residue that traps odors. To break this cycle and maintain the freshness of towels, proper washing and full drying are essential. For a deeper clean, explore our professional laundry for massage and gym towels.
Try ByNext for fresh, hotel-quality towels
How to Get Smell Out of Towels Fast
You can prevent lingering odors by taking prompt action when your towels begin to smell musty or sour. Their freshness can be quickly restored with hot water washes, natural deodorizers like vinegar or baking soda, and careful drying.
See our guide on How Do Hotels Keep Towels White for additional professional advice.
How to Get the Smell Out of Towels with Baking Soda
Try this easy “how to get the smell out of towels with baking soda” method to revive musty towels. To make towels soft, clean, and odor-free, add ½ cup of baking soda straight to the drum, wash in hot water without detergent, and then completely dry.
How to Get the Smell Out of Towels Overnight
If your towels smell musty, soak them for approximately an hour in hot water with one cup of white vinegar, and then wash them on a hot cycle. They will be soft, fresh, and usable in the morning after being fully dried in the sun or in the dryer overnight.
How to Keep Towels Fresh & Soft
The secret is to develop easy habits that will keep towels smelling good for a long time after you've figured out how to get the smell out of towels. You can stop odors before they start by washing, drying, and storing them carefully. This will keep the fabric soft, fluffy, and welcoming after each use.
Wash Towels the Right Way
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To kill bacteria and break down buildup, use hot water; however, to preserve the fabric, follow the care label.
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Too much detergent should be avoided because residue can trap moisture and cause towels to smell like mildew.
Additionally, don't overload the washing machine to make sure that towels are thoroughly cleaned and rinsed.
Dry Towels Thoroughly Every Time
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Before storing your towels, always make sure they are completely dry, either by hanging them in direct sunlight or using a warm dryer cycle.
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When towels are kept damp, mildew can grow quickly and make towels smell musty.
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Towels that are properly dried stay soft and durable, avoiding odors.
Store Towels Properly
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Always keep your towels in a cool, dry place with enough ventilation to keep them fresh.
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Instead of stuffing them into overcrowded shelves or baskets, fold them neatly.
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Trapped moisture can quickly make towels smell musty and unpleasant.
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To avoid odors, let towels cool and completely dry before storing them.
How to Get Musty or Mildew Smell Out of Towels
Start with a deep clean with 1 cup of white vinegar in a hot wash cycle (no detergent) if your towels have a persistent musty or mildew smell. To get rid of any remaining smells, do another hot wash with ½ cup of baking soda.
To eradicate mildew from white towels, use a diluted bleach wash. For colored towels, use an oxygen-based cleaner such as OxiClean. These techniques safely remove mildew smell from towels, leaving them clean, fresh, and usable again.
Washing Tips for Softer Towels
Start by skipping fabric softeners if you want incredibly soft towels. Although they may smell good, fabric softeners actually coat the fibers, making towels less absorbent and stiff over time. To speed up drying and naturally fluff the fabric, instead, throw in dryer balls while it's drying.
Use ByNext professional laundry services for that spa-like softness. Our skillful handling and delicate methods maintain the towel fibers' softness, freshness, and durability, ideal for a consistently luxurious, comfortable feel.
ByNext Laundry & Dry Cleaning Services
With a few easy tricks, you can turn those musty, sour towels into luxuriously soft linens that smell as fresh as a breeze. However, hiring professionals to do your laundry makes a significant difference for hygiene and long-lasting freshness.
ByNext's dry cleaning and wash & fold laundry services utilize professional care techniques to prolong the life of your towels while keeping them clean and free from bacteria. It's also easier than ever to learn how to get odor out of towels because it saves you time and guarantees that you always have clean, fluffy towels ready for everyday use. Check our pricing details and book now to schedule your laundry service with ease.
FAQS - Get the Smell Out of Towels
How to get the stinky smell out of towels?
To remove stinky smells from towels, wash them in hot water with 1 cup of white vinegar, then again with ½ cup of baking soda. Dry them thoroughly, and avoid excess detergent or fabric softener to prevent future odors.
What is the best deodorizer for towels?
Using a cup of baking soda is an effective way to eliminate odors. It's actually one of the most effective methods for stinky towels. The porous structure of baking soda absorbs smells and neutralizes them.
Can you put baking soda in the washing machine?
Yes, it's safe to add baking soda to your washing machine. This helps get rid of odors, softens fabrics, and makes detergent work better. Just add ½ cup to the drum during the wash cycle for fresher, cleaner laundry.
Wrap Up!
You can get rid of musty, sinky towels and enjoy using soft, fragrant fabrics with a few easy steps. Remember, keeping your laundry looking tidy and appealing means tackling the root cause, like mildew or detergent buildup.
With the proper maintenance and assistance from ByNext's expert laundry services, you'll always have clean, fluffy towels ready to use. You can rely on ByNext to keep your linens fresh, clean, and smelling brand new every day the next time you're wondering how to get the smell out of towels.