Why do my towels smell after washing them?

Question

I have this set of red cotton towels that always smell like mildew after I wash them. My other towels don't smell like mildew even if I wash them together.

I even changed detergent and the way I wash them. Does anyone know why this happens?

Answer 1

If you use Fabric softener - most towels will begin to stink more after a while. I asked a few speciality stores and have been trying it for about 4 years now - NO STINKY TOWELS :)

Also, fabric softener eventually reduces the absorbancy-ability in the town.

But, I was told that once they start stinking, don't put them in the dryer. Line dry them and don't lay it on top of one another.

I would suggest that you throw these away and start afresh with some new towels, if you can.

Answer 2

Sometimes towels smell if you take them out of the dryer too soon and they don't dry completely. Your red towels might be fluffier than the others and need more time to dry. Towels should feel hot when you take them out of the dryer. If not, they are still damp.

Also, Mountian Fresh scented Tide tends to make clothing smell like mildew or mold.

Answer 3

That has happened to some of my cotton towels and cotton turtlenecks. I think bacteria or spores or something gets in and doesn't come out in the cold wash. Try the vinegar, or add some baking soda to the wash (although this will make your towels kind of gritty). If not, dump them and get a different set of towels that you can use bleach on.

Answer 4

You are smelling the dye from the towels. Try putting them alone in hot water with a 1/2 cup of baking soda in the water. Let them soak for a couple hours. Then wash them normally to get the soda out.

Answer 5

It could be that the detergent gets caught in the towels, inside the material. When you dry them the detergent drys up and starts to smell like mildew.

Answer 6

This is so weird, because I have a set of purple and red hand towels that have this weird smell to them, even after I wash them. Those are the only ones that have that smell. I tried washing them in vinegar, washing them separately, using only hot water, nothing.

Answer 7

I don't know why it happens, but try adding distilled vinegar to the wash next time. The vinegar smell will wash out, but should leave the towels soft and smelling fresher. Use about a cup of vinegar.

Answer 8

You know I have the same problem with a purple towel that I have. Its a big one used in the bathroom and after 1st use It has to be put in the wash! I hope to find out how to solve this too. I use the new Gain and have used Tide before that.

Answer 9

Well if you have a high efficiency washer use a little bleach it won't ruin your towels......how long do you leave your towels sitting around? I get that smell in the summertime with my dish towels when I don't wash them immediately.

Answer 10

Try hot water wash and rinse and use a fabric softener. Also, get them right out of the washer into the dryer or hang on the line outside if you can. Is there a company on the tag? If so, contact them and tell them your delima if you can't get the smell out.