How do I get my dish rag to stop smelling so bad?

Question

I wash it in the washer. After I use it, I rinse it and then lay it out so it can air dry. It still smells! My drying towels even smell too! After I wash the dishes the towel even makes my dishes smell! Any suggestions?

Answer 1

Soak them for about 10 min in a 10% clorox and water

Then dry

Answer 2

Maybe you could change the type of towel you are using? I don't know if you have a dishwasher or not, but you could run it through with each load. Also, have these towels ever been used for anything else? Are you using one towel for dishes and another for spills? I would definately keep the two separated.

Answer 3

You can microwave the dish rag for a couple of minutes on high heat, rinse with soap and let air dry. This sometimes helps to kill bacteria on the dishrag.

Answer 4

This happens because they are being kept wet after use. This will happen if you leave it in the sink while it's wet or keep it scrunched up. Just throw them out and get new ones because these ones are all full of bactiera and germs now. After use rinse and ring it out very good, and hang it over your faucet it will dry there and you shouldnt have a problem.

Answer 5

1. Remove as much of the urine as possible by blotting the stain with a dry towel, re-wetting it with warm water, and repeating. A shampooer, wetvac, or steamer can make this step much easier. 2. Once you’ve removed as much urine as you are willing (or able) to, re-saturate the area with a 50/50 water/white vinegar solution and allow it to air dry (use a fan if you’re in a rush). 3. Completely cover the area with baking soda – use lots! 4. Fill a container with enough water to saturate the stained area and add a drop of regular dish detergent. Pour the solution on top of the baking soda. 5. Using either your hands, towels, or a scub brush, work the baking soda, water and detergent paste into the carpet - work it in good and deep, then allow it to air dry. 6. Once the area has dried completely and the baking soda has returned to powder form, vacuum it up. If the vacuum isn’t cutting it, it can be blotted up using water and towels. 7. Repeat steps 3-6 as needed to remove any remaining odor.

Answer 6

It was in the news today that if you microwave (wet, I'm assuming) sponges for 2 minutes,you can get rid of almost all bacteria, viruses and parasites. The article also stated that it takes 4-10 minutes of microwaving on high to get rid of spores. I microwave wet washclothes for a minute or two to help loosen stuck-on food, now I know that I get a bonus by doing it that way!

Answer 7

wash them in bleach, more than you would usually use in laundry and leave lid up on washer so they will soak in the bleach for about 20 mins. then always make sure to dry completely and immediately after washing. sometimes not getting dried soon enough or long enough will cause clothes to sour.

Answer 8

Get new ones and only use the dish washing towels one time wash your dishes and then the next time you need to wash dishes use a new one.

Answer 9

I've had the same thing happen to me. I throw them away. I don't know why it does that. I think it could be from sitting out too long and then it gets that musky smell. Like a mildew.

Answer 10

Use lemon juice on it. Always keep a bottle near your sink. Just spritz some on after a good rinsing.