I think my wife left a load of towels in our washing machine too long one day, and ever since they smell horrible. What can we do to get the smell out? Basically mildew is the issue, but we've washed them many times since and they still smell really bad.
Someone suggested color-safe bleach, but I'm not sure. I also thought about Oxy Clean. I'm about to just throw them out and get new ones.
2007-02-07 09:29:05 · 17 answers · asked by ashworth102680 2 in Home & Garden ➔ Cleaning & Laundry
wash them thoroughly with bleach. in fact, if needed, soak them in bleach water overnight. then wash with a trusted detergent. add scented fabric softener to the dryer if you like, or if the bleach smell is too noticeable for your taste.
2007-02-07 09:35:47 · answer #1 · answered by anika 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Re-wash them one more time with a handful of washing soda (made by Arm and Hammer) and a cup of baking soda along with a different detergent (which might be old). Check the drier- the smell might be coming from there, not the washing machine. Be sure the lint trap is clean also. You may want to check the drier exhaust pipe that the exhaust goes through to the outside. If clogged with lint, it could be making a bad smell or worse- it could start a fire! Remove it and clean it out (or replace it).
2007-02-07 09:38:13 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
as far as i know bleach is the only thing that kills mold and mildew i had the same problem. I put the bleach and detergent in while the HOT water was filling up then i added the towels. That got rid of it and we have dark blue towels and they were fine. to prevent this from coming back Hang them up until they dry.
2016-03-29 09:57:47 · answer #3 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Throwing them out and buying new ones was my answer...I did it once and nothing worked. But be sure to check that no other loads you wash come out smelling like the towels did.
2007-02-07 09:56:17 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Chlorine bleach is best for this purpose but it may not be practical if your towels are colored. If so you could try soaking them in a strong solution of oxy clean overnight then laundering as usual.
2007-02-07 09:50:17 · answer #5 · answered by babydoll 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I have done this by mistake as well.
Presoak in a mixture of your regular detergent and a cup of borax or the bleach for unbleachables. Leave overnight, wash as usual.
If after everything you have done doesn't work, I would chuck them out - can't stand that odour.
2007-02-07 13:12:23 · answer #6 · answered by Pacifica 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Dump a whole box of baking soda in with them,and use a heavy duty detergent thats for work clothes.
2007-02-07 09:37:01 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Try fabric softener. Color safe bleach should help. There's no reason that you cannot get that smell out!
2007-02-07 09:43:46 · answer #8 · answered by Hot Carl 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Rewash them with some Lysol in the water. It will kill the mold and the smell.
2007-02-07 09:32:29 · answer #9 · answered by notyou311 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would re-wash and add some vinegar to the rinse cycle, that will also soften them. See if that works.
2007-02-07 09:38:38 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋