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That musty towel smell is frustrating. It clings to you after a shower, making you feel less than clean. But a simple, two-step wash can make them fresh again.
To get odors out, wash your towels in hot water with one cup of white vinegar. Then, run a second cycle with half a cup of baking soda. Do not use detergent for these washes. This process breaks down residue and neutralizes smells, restoring your towels’ freshness.
It’s a problem many of our clients ask me about, from boutique hotels to new home goods brands. That simple vinegar and soda trick works wonders, and I’ve recommended it for years. But to solve the issue permanently, you need to know what causes the smell and how to prevent it from coming back. Let’s dive deeper into keeping your towels truly clean.
How do you get the smell out of towels?
Your towels have a persistent, musty odor. Regular washing just doesn’t seem to work. A specific two-step deep clean using household items is the key to finally eliminating that smell.
First, wash the towels on a hot cycle with one cup of white vinegar instead of detergent. This strips away buildup. Follow this with a second hot wash using half a cup of baking soda to neutralize any remaining odors. Dry them completely right away.
As Marketing Director for TowelTrend since 2004, I’ve seen every towel problem imaginable. The most common complaint by far is that musty smell. This two-part cleaning method is my go-to advice. It’s a reset for your towels’ fibers.
Step 1: The Vinegar Wash
Vinegar is an acid. It works by breaking down the mineral deposits from hard water and the waxy buildup from detergents and fabric softeners. These deposits are what trap moisture and bacteria, causing the odor. Simply add the vinegar where you would normally put detergent and run a hot cycle with only the towels.
Step 2: The Baking Soda Wash
Baking soda is alkaline. It neutralizes any leftover odors that the vinegar didn’t eliminate. After the vinegar cycle is complete, leave the towels in the machine. Add the baking soda directly into the drum and run another hot cycle.
Here’s a simple breakdown:
| Method | Purpose | Why It Works |
|---|---|---|
| Vinegar Wash | Strips buildup | Its acidity dissolves mineral and soap residue. |
| Baking Soda Wash | Deodorizes | Its alkalinity neutralizes odor-causing bacteria. |
| Immediate Drying | Prevents mildew | Removes the damp environment bacteria need to grow. |
This process is highly effective and much gentler on towel fibers than using harsh bleaches, which can damage the high-quality cotton we use in our manufacturing.
Why do my bath towels smell even after washing?
You pull your towels from the washing machine, expecting a fresh scent, but they still smell musty. It feels like your washer is failing you. The real culprit is invisible buildup.
Towels smell after washing because of a buildup of detergent residue, fabric softener, and body oils. This film traps moisture and allows mildew and bacteria to grow. Even a hot wash can’t penetrate this layer, so the odor simply gets locked into the fibers.
In the textile industry, we call this "detergent lock." I often explain this to purchase managers who are worried about product quality. It’s not usually the towel itself, but how it’s being washed. The fibers of the towel become so coated that they can’t get properly cleaned or dried.
The Buildup Problem
Most people use far too much detergent. The excess doesn’t rinse out. Instead, it leaves a sticky film on the towel fibers. Fabric softener adds another waxy layer, which feels soft at first but eventually waterproofs the fibers. This coating becomes a magnet for dirt and oils.
The Mildew Factor
Once a towel has this buildup, it holds onto moisture for much longer. Leaving a damp towel in a pile on the floor or in a humid bathroom is an open invitation for mildew. This fungus thrives in dark, damp conditions and is the source of that signature sour, musty smell.
Here are the main causes and how to fix them:
| Cause | The Problem | The Solution |
|---|---|---|
| Too Much Detergent | Leaves a soap film that traps dirt. | Use half the recommended detergent amount. |
| Fabric Softener | Creates a waxy, water-repellent coating. | Use 1/2 cup of white vinegar in the rinse cycle instead. |
| Leaving Towels Wet | Creates a breeding ground for mildew. | Move towels to the dryer immediately after washing. |
| Overloading Washer | Towels can’t rinse properly. | Wash towels in smaller loads by themselves. |
Understanding these points helps our clients create care guides for their own customers, extending the life and quality of the towels they purchase from us.
How to deep clean bath towels?
Your towels feel stiff and are not very absorbent anymore. They just don’t feel truly clean. A "towel stripping" method can powerfully deep clean them and restore their softness and function.
To deep clean or "strip" towels, fill a bathtub with very hot water. Add a mix of 1/4 cup borax, 1/4 cup washing soda, and 1/2 cup laundry detergent. Submerge your clean towels and let them soak for 4 to 5 hours until the water cools.
Towel stripping is a more intense method that I recommend for towels that are in serious need of a reset. I’ve seen some shocking before-and-after photos from clients who tried this. The color of the water afterward shows just how much hidden grime was trapped in the fibers. It’s a chemical process that forces out all the locked-in residue.
What You’ll Need
The combination of cleaning agents does the heavy lifting. Borax helps to soften the water and boost cleaning power. Washing soda (sodium carbonate) is a powerful cleaning agent that helps lift dirt and residue. The detergent then works to suspend that dirt in the water so it can be washed away.
The Step-by-Step Process
It’s an easy but time-consuming process.
| Step | Action | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Gather | Borax, washing soda, detergent. | Find these in the laundry aisle of most stores. |
| 2. Fill | Fill a tub or large bucket with hot water. | The hotter the water, the better it works. |
| 3. Mix | Dissolve all three powders in the water. | Stir until the powders are fully dissolved. |
| 4. Soak | Submerge clean towels and soak for hours. | Push them down to ensure they are fully saturated. |
| 5. Wash | Wring out towels and launder normally. | Run them through a wash cycle with no detergent. |
I caution our private label clients that this is a harsh process. It shouldn’t be done more than a few times a year, as it can accelerate wear on even the most durable towel fibers.
Should I throw away smelly towels?
You are completely tired of fighting with smelly towels. Throwing them out and starting over seems like the simplest option. But most towels can be saved with the right care.
No, you usually don’t need to throw away smelly towels. The odor is often caused by buildup that you can remove with a deep clean. You should only discard towels when they are physically worn out, with holes, frayed edges, or a permanent loss of absorbency.
As a manufacturer, I want you to buy new towels. But as an expert, my job is to give you honest advice. Replacing towels that can be saved is a waste of money. For my clients in the hospitality business, towel lifespan is a critical performance indicator. Knowing when to restore versus when to replace is key to managing costs.
When to Save Your Towels
Most common towel issues are reversible. A musty smell can be fixed with the vinegar and baking soda method. Stiffness and lack of absorbency can often be solved by stripping the towels. If the towel is structurally sound, it’s almost always worth trying to restore it first. I tell my clients to see it as routine maintenance, not a sign of failure.
When It’s Time for New Towels
All textiles have a lifespan. High-quality cotton lasts longer, but not forever. It’s time to replace a towel when the fibers themselves are breaking down.
| Save If… | Toss If… |
|---|---|
| They have a musty smell. | They get holes or tears. |
| They feel stiff or non-absorbent. | The edges are badly frayed and unraveling. |
| The color has faded slightly. | They still don’t absorb water after being stripped. |
| They have permanent stains that look unhygienic. |
A towel that is visibly worn reflects poorly on a brand, whether it’s in a hotel room or a gym. We design our towels for longevity, but we also help our clients set a clear "discard" policy to protect their brand image.
Conclusion
With the right washing techniques, you can easily rescue smelly towels and stop odors from coming back. You now have the knowledge to keep your towels fresh, soft, and functional.
