After washing & drying bath towels they still smell like mildew??

Answer 1

Maybe your wash cycle didn't kill the bacteria - add some bleach if you can - as a pre-soak or in the wash cycle - and try again.

Answer 2

This can be an indicator of a potential mold-mildew problem- be sure that the items do NOT remain in the washer for an extended period after the wash has finished-verify that the towels do not have the smell directly from the dryer...
there are a number of things to TRY to get rid of this occurance- from replacing washing machine hoses and any water filters-cleaning the inside of washer-such as the ring under the top of the wash tub and the center fabric softener dispenser, also put a 'damp rid' brand tub(find at hardware store) in the area.
try a mildew-mold test strip from your hardware store, or on the expensive side- contact a Home inspector who provides air quality and mold sample inspections,easy locator ,NACHI.org
Most likely source may be a previous or existing leaky pipe ,sink ,tank etc. that has allowed seepage into or under a carpet where the mildew is hiding, these spores can blow around in the air and a wet towel and such will provide a place to grow quickly , don't be too quick to call it 'mold' -it may be a questionblel 'Microbial substance', until it can be classified as a mold by scientific evaluation after a home inspector sends it out to a reputable testing facility.

Answer 3

Fill the washer with hot water and add your detergent and about a cup of white vinegar and let the towels begin to agitate. Turn the washer off and let them soak for an hour or two then turn it back on and finish washing, adding another cup of white vinegar to the final rinse. You may need to repeat this process a couple of times, but it should take the mildew smell out of the towels. Don't use fabric softener on your towels as it effects the absorbency. The vinegar will make them nice and soft and leave them smelling fresh.

Always hang towels to dry after using them to prevent mildew between washings. Always remove your towels from the washer as soon as the washer is finished and make sure they are completely dry before folding and putting them away.

After you get the mildew smell out of the towels, using about a half cup of vinegar in the rinse cycle should keep them smelling nice and fresh.

Answer 4

Try bleach. Wash hot. Dry in dryer. If anything still smells- I'd get new towels rather than possibly spread mildew on myself. Mildew is very persistent, and hard to get rid of. Are the towels fully dry when being folded up and put away? Are they stored in a dry place? Are they being left lying around on the floor when wet?

Answer 5

I have had the same problem. I found that if I put some pinesol (any scent you like, I like the blue one best) in the washer with my laundry soap and let the load soak (my washer has a cycle for soaking if not do it manually) it removes the mildew smell.

The smell is coming from the towels as they set on the basket damp, not the washer so bleaching your washer won't help.

I hope this helps. It works well for me.

Answer 6

Run the wash cycle without any clothes in it and use bleach. That should get rid of any unwanted mildew problems.

Answer 7

I suspect some mildew in the washer and dryer area. Can you spray the area with a mildew remover?

Answer 8

just a tiny splash of bleach will not damage colored items and will get rid of problem.....just do it after the wash has started and just pour a tablespoon or 2 in there... i never had a problem doing this.

Answer 9

Have you tried using white vinegar in the rinse cycle? I think that it might help you.

Answer 10

get some frebeeze and add to the water ,, ,re wash them in that and soap ,, it will take out the smell ,,