How do you get the mildew smell out of towels?

Answer 1

its not mildew it is bacteria.

One clean your washer with hot water and bleach
Two do not over load your machine
Three use a detergent called WIN (online only) it kills bacteria trapped in fabric.
Four double rinse.
If you cant get the win add 1/2 borax and 1/2 baking soda with your detergent this will make the detergent do a better job.

Answer 2

Mildew is bacteria, and it's damp that helps bacteria to breed in the cloth. Solution is to keep your towels dry and well aried.

Answer 3

I'd prolly put it to the wash again with a different softener, and then after it's washed, do let the towel dry entirely!

And viola~! Clean and fresh smelling towels!

Answer 4

What you need to do, is run your washer with 1 cup of vinegar on hot water, then after its done run it with 1 cup bleach, this should clean out the hoses and the pipes. I have the same problem and so does a lot of families. the hoses and pipes need to be cleaned out. No matter how much softner i use it still smells musty! I hate that.

Answer 5

i know alot of people have this problem...i find useing tide/bleach laundry detergent an the hottest water setting you have should do the trick, but do it 2 times an in the 2nd wash add your fabric softner. works like a charm. good luck.

Answer 6

I just read this in GoodHousekeeping magazine. They said to wash with amnonia (sp). See if this helps. Also, don't let wet towels sit in the washer -- take out and dry right away.

Answer 7

20 Mule Team Borax.. great stuff.. will make the laundry sweet smelling and softens hard water too

Answer 8

that's a good question.....we have that problem too.....i usually wash them twice in hot water?? i noticed they don't smell that great after one wash......either that or they're just old?? we thought about just getting new towels...... good luck

Answer 9

i use island fresh gain then downy fabric softener then i dry them very very well

Answer 10

bleach