Stinky towels... how do I make them smell good?

Question

I can't seem to make my towels come out of the laundry smelling good. I try washing them in hot water, I try different detergents, I try using fabric softener, I try drying them extra well... they always come out smelling weird, and the gross smell gets worse when they get damp again. They aren't super old... any suggestions?

Answer 1

I suggest you try adding some Armer Hammer Baking Soda to the wash and see it that helps. If they are white - try bleach. You can also add some white vinegar or lemon juice to the wash might help.

Answer 2

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RE:
Stinky towels... how do I make them smell good?
I can't seem to make my towels come out of the laundry smelling good. I try washing them in hot water, I try different detergents, I try using fabric softener, I try drying them extra well... they always come out smelling weird, and the gross smell gets worse when they get damp again. They...

Answer 3

It is likely that the dye is part of the issue. Dyes and other liquids (sizing) used in the manufacture of fabrics can be pretty awful. I worked in a fabric store while I was growing up and aniline dyes were the worst and had a formaldehyde stench to them.

If they are colored/striped, leave them out unfolded in a sunny space for a few days before the next time you wash. While the sun may bleach them, it will also remove the odor in most cases - just like when you buy a new shower curtain or liner...

The baking soda is a tried and true method as well.

I have also used a cup of white vinegar with colors to remove bad odor.

Hopefully, one of the suggestions posted will remedy the problem without having to buy new stuff.

Answer 4

trini has a good point............but before throwing everything out try washing your towels in hot water with soap AND bleach. once the cycle is thru, do the same thing again. the third time - hot water only.
throw into dryer and make sure they are thoroughly dry.
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while that is going on clean out your linen closet, empty it completely wash shelves and walls with hot soapy water, rinse well and let completely dry.
personally i would also wash everything else in the linen closet just to make sure i had gotten rid of any and all contaminates.
when everything is clean and fresh you can restock your closet. once your laundry hamper is empty give it a good scrub as well, and dry thoroughly.
i know its a lot of work, but it should take care of whatever is causing the problem.
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if it happens again i am not sure what to suggest. obviously you know you shouldn't throw wet towels/face cloths etc. in the laundry hamper. other than that i don't know, sorry.
good luck with it!

Answer 5

Baking soda is good, but I swear by Borax (20 Mule Team). Fill the washer with the towels, detergent, and 1 cup Borax, let soak for at least 30 min's. You may have to repeat, but this is good for odors in clothes/towels.

Answer 6

Always wash your towels in hot water(unless they are colored towels then use cold). Use Colorox Bleach if they white. Put in your detergent, then add either a cup or half a cup of bleach then add towels. If they're colored they now have a bleach for colored cloths. This should get rid of any smells.

Answer 7

Hope this helps....

I think that maybe your towels have suffered from extreme water and mold damage. Have they ever been wet for more than a day in a dark, damp area? If so then the only thing to do is to buy a new set?

Sorry

Hope this helps

Answer 8

Try washing them without any fabric softener (don't use either liquid softener or the dryer sheets). You may need to run them through the washer twice to get rid of the softener that's already coating the towels, but after that they should smell much better after washing w/ detergent only.

Answer 9

Since they are so bad, throw them away and buy new towels or just put them all in a hot water wash with detergent & bleach.

We always separate-out our kitchen and bathroom sponges, towels and whites and wash them in a solution of bleach and detergent -- weekly.

Bacteria tends to collect in those things.

Answer 10

Vinegar! It will kill the bacteria and the odor and the vingar smell is gone once it dries! It's also a natural fabric softener and you can also run it through the washer to disinfect it. Also pour some in your drains with some baking soda and let it sit for 15 minutes, it will clean your drains too.

Answer 11

Sounds like you have some kind of bacteria in them if they only smell bad when they are damp.
Usually the only thing that will kill that is chlorine bleach.
If you can't use bleach on them then it may be a good idea to throw those away or use them only to wash you car.
I certainly would not want to use them after my shower.