If you’ve ever reached for a freshly laundered towel only to be greeted by a suspiciously sour scent, you’re not alone. Figuring out how to get smell out of towels is one of those everyday household mysteries—right up there with “where do all the socks go?” and “why does the dishwasher beep at 3 a.m.?”
Towels are meant to be clean, cozy, and comforting—not a reminder of what mildew smells like after a workout. Luckily, there’s hope for your linen closet, and it doesn’t involve buying all new towels (unless you want an excuse to go towel shopping, which we fully support).
Why Your Towels Smell (Even After Washing)
Towel funk happens to the best of us. The most common culprits are:
- Leaving towels damp in the washer or on the floor (looking at you, teenagers).
- Too much detergent or fabric softener, which builds up and traps bacteria.
- Hard water minerals clinging to fibers like unwanted houseguests.
- Overcrowded closets where towels can’t breathe (yes, towels need space too).
In short, it’s not your fault—well, mostly. The good news is, once you understand what causes that musty scent, you’re halfway to beating it.
Step-by-Step: How to Get Smell Out of Towels
Now that we’ve sniffed out the problem, let’s talk solutions. Here’s how to get your towels back to their fluffy, fresh-smelling selves.
Step 1: Wash with Vinegar
Forget the expensive additives. All you need is a cup of plain white vinegar. Toss your towels in the washer (no detergent!) and set it to the hottest water cycle your towels can handle.
Why it works: Vinegar breaks down built-up residue and kills odor-causing bacteria. It’s like a detox for your towels—no juice cleanse required.
Step 2: Rewash with Baking Soda
Once that first cycle is done, run the towels through the machine again. This time, use ½ cup of baking soda and hot water. Still no detergent, no softener.
Why it works: Baking soda is nature’s deodorizer. It neutralizes any lingering smell and softens the fabric. Plus, it’s probably already sitting in your pantry.
Step 3: Dry Like You Mean It
You’ve washed the smell out—don’t let it creep back in. Dry the towels thoroughly in a dryer with wool dryer balls, or better yet, line dry them outside in direct sunlight (bonus points for that crisp, sunshine scent).
Pro tip: Avoid folding or storing towels while they’re still even a little damp. That’s just inviting the funk to come back with friends.
Prevent Future Towel Tragedies
Once you’ve learned how to get smell out of towels, you’ll want to make sure it never happens again. Here’s how to keep your towels smelling like, well, towels.
- Hang towels properly—towel bars > towel hooks. More airflow means faster drying.
- Wash towels every 3–5 uses. Yes, even if they look clean.
- Avoid fabric softener. It creates a waxy coating that traps odors and reduces absorbency.
- Clean your washing machine once a month. It can’t clean if it’s dirty itself.
- Don’t store towels in overstuffed closets. Towels need breathing room just like your wardrobe does after a big dinner.
Know When to Let Go
If your towel has been through five vinegar-baking soda treatments, two hours in the sun, and still smells like it’s been doing hot yoga—it might be time to let it go. Towels don’t last forever. They typically retire with honor after 7–10 years, or sooner if they’ve been abused by mildew.
The silver lining? Old towels make great pet bedding, garage rags, or the world’s saddest beach towels.
A Fresh Start for You (and Your Towels)
By now, you know how to get smell out of towels—and how to keep it from coming back. You also know that even the best-maintained towels can get overwhelmed by bacteria, moisture, and detergent build-up over time. But don’t stress if laundry duty is starting to feel like an unpaid chemistry experiment.
If you’re ready to say goodbye to smelly towel struggles (and maybe even laundry headaches in general), our team at Family First is here to help. Our professional cleaners know how to handle the worst towel offenders and make your whole home feel fresh again.
Explore our expert Denver cleaning services and let us do the dirty work—so your towels (and your time) can stay squeaky clean.
