How To Remove The Smell Of Wet Towels

We use bath towels every day. As a result, they become dirty and must be washed often. Their contact with the skin and the humidity makes them usually the perfect place for fungi and bacteria to grow. Do you know how to get rid of that wet towel smell that is so common in bathrooms at home?

Nobody likes to use a towel that smells bad. We must therefore not only wash them regularly, but also know how to neutralize that unpleasant odor. In this article we give you some recommendations.

Tips for Removing the Smell of Wet Towels

The best way to avoid the musty smell of towels is to air dry them once they have been used. It is also ideal to replace them regularly, as the accumulation of moisture and microorganisms promotes this problem.

However, if you still have this problem, then some steps may help to solve it. Keep reading as we share with you the best tricks to apply and improve in your own bathroom!

Don’t throw them in the laundry basket

Don’t make this mistake! When it comes time to wash the towels, do so immediately. Throwing them in the laundry basket and waiting a few days for them to wash can make the awful smell even worse.

Although they appear to be dry, the dirty tissues already have germs that affect this problem. Even if you leave them dirty for a long time, they will get a yellowish or weird complexion.

Use a moderate amount of detergent

Our first recommendation for removing the smell from wet towels is to use a moderate amount of detergent or liquid soap. Although these products facilitate cleaning and disinfection, they can even damage tissues if used excessively.

Even if soap residues remain on the towel fabric, they usually get a bad odor when used. In fact, the buildup of soap is the reason why the towel loses its absorbency.

Baking soda for the smell of wet towels

Did you know that you can use baking soda to replace the detergent when washing your towels? It’s a great option, especially if towels have that horrible, damp smell that you just can’t get out of. Thanks to its properties, it removes mold, eliminates bacteria and makes fabrics dirt-free.

In fact, it is one of the products featured in the publication “ Homemade Household Cleaners ” from the Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida. It is highlighted for its effectiveness in disinfecting and eliminating foul odors during cleaning.

How to use:

• First, pour a cup of baking soda into a bucket of hot water.
• Then soak the towel for 20 minutes.
• Then rinse as usual and let it air dry.
• If the towel has tricky spots, apply the baking soda right away and rub it over.
• If you wish, add the product to the normal washing machine cycle as well.

white vinegar

Another natural product that comes in handy in removing the smell of wet towels from our bathroom is white vinegar. This ingredient has the ability to neutralize odors.

In addition, as highlighted by the Functional Properties of Vinegar study published in the Journal of Food Science, it is useful in fighting fungi and bacteria.

On the other hand, its properties help to keep fabrics in good condition and release the residues that cause stains. It is also ideal to replace conventional fabric softeners.

How to use:

• The first option you should use to take advantage of this natural ingredient is to add it to the washing machine cycle.
• However, if you prefer to wash it by hand, we recommend diluting it in hot water. Then soak the towels for 15 or 20 minutes.
• For stubborn stains, apply the product directly to the towel and rub it in.

Store towels properly

After you finally get rid of that wet towel smell, it’s time to keep them clean and fresh to prevent this problem from happening again. As we said, the most important thing is that you store them in a dry place.

Whether you’re drying them outside or in the dryer, make sure they’re dry before folding and storing them. It is also best to check the storage areas as they are often the center of moisture (as happens with some cabinets).

If you have moisture in the cabinets, make sachets of salt, coffee, or rice and put them in. This simple trick helps to absorb moisture and in turn prevents a foul odor.

Do you notice that your towels have this horrible smell of wet towels? Do you feel your towels are dirty and smelly? Then write these tips down and make sure to apply them!