How to Remove Musty Smell From Towels
To remove musty smell from towels, wash them in the hottest water the fabric allows with one cup of white vinegar instead of detergent, then run a second cycle with detergent and, if needed, a half cup of baking soda or oxygen-based bleach. Dry the towels completely and promptly, since lingering dampness is what causes the odor to return. Skipping fabric softener and not overloading the machine helps the fix last.
Why Towels Develop a Musty Smell
The musty smell in towels comes from bacteria and mildew that grow in the fibers when they stay damp for too long. Towels are thick, absorbent, and often left balled up on a hook or in a hamper, which traps moisture against the fabric. Over time, detergent residue, body oils, and fabric softener buildup also coat the fibers, giving bacteria something to feed on even after a wash. According to manufacturer care guides and cleaning researchers, this buildup is a major reason towels can smell bad straight out of the dryer, since heat alone does not remove residue that is already trapped deep in the weave.
How to Remove the Smell From Towels
Based on manufacturer laundering instructions and aggregated owner reviews, the two-wash method is the most consistently recommended fix for musty towels.
- Wash the towels alone, in the hottest water setting the care label allows, with one cup of white vinegar added to the detergent dispenser instead of detergent.
- Run a second wash immediately after with your regular detergent, adding a half cup of baking soda directly into the drum for extra odor absorption.
- Skip fabric softener and dryer sheets during this process, since they coat fibers with a film that can trap odor-causing residue.
- Dry the towels on high heat until they are fully dry, then remove them from the dryer right away rather than leaving them to sit.
- For a persistent smell, an oxygen-based bleach powder soak before washing is a common recommendation in owner reviews for towels that vinegar alone did not fix.
If musty towel smell keeps coming back no matter how carefully you wash them, the washing machine itself is often the real source. Front-load machines in particular can develop mildew buildup in the door gasket and detergent drawer, which then transfers odor back onto every load. Checking owner reports and comparisons of the best washing machines for self-clean cycles and better drainage design can help if the machine is contributing to the problem rather than the towels.
Common Mistakes That Bring the Smell Back
A few habits tend to undo the effort of a proper wash, according to laundering guidance and repeated feedback in owner reviews.
- Leaving damp towels in the washer after the cycle ends, even for an hour, allows odor to start developing again before drying.
- Using too much detergent, which does not rinse out fully and leaves residue behind in thick towel fibers.
- Overloading the washer, which prevents towels from moving freely enough to rinse clean.
- Storing towels while they are even slightly damp, including folding warm towels straight from the dryer into a closed cabinet.
- Relying only on fabric softener to mask odor instead of addressing the bacteria causing it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does vinegar really remove musty smell from towels?
Yes. White vinegar is acidic enough to break down the bacteria and mineral buildup that cause musty odor, and it is widely recommended in manufacturer care guides as a safe, non-damaging option for most towel fabrics.
Can I use bleach instead of vinegar?
Oxygen-based bleach is generally considered a gentler and equally effective alternative to chlorine bleach for musty towels, and it is less likely to weaken fibers over repeated use. Chlorine bleach can work but should only be used occasionally and according to the care label.
Why do my towels smell musty again after just one use?
This usually points to leftover detergent or softener residue in the fibers, or a washing machine that itself has mildew buildup in the drum, gasket, or drawer. Running an empty hot wash with vinegar in the machine can help isolate which one is the cause.
How often should towels be washed to prevent musty smell?
Most care guidance suggests washing towels after three to four uses, and always allowing them to dry fully and hang loosely between washes rather than being folded or bunched while damp.
