How to Eliminate Odors From Damp Towels

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Ngày cập nhật gần nhất: 15/4/2026

Content

1. Clean Your Washing Machine

2. Thoroughly Clean Your Towels

3. Make Sure Towels Are Fully Dry

4. Maintain Proper Personal Hygiene

5. Always Hang Towels After Use

Towels are essential for maintaining cleanliness, and keeping them dry is crucial. However, towels that remain damp for too long can become breeding grounds for bacteria, leading to that unpleasant "musty" or "sour" scent. (Unfortunately, that odor is a sign of bacteria multiplying.) We consulted with a cleaning professional to learn how to effectively remove the musty smell from towels. The expert shared that you can minimize bacterial growth with a holistic approach. Before trying more intensive cleaning methods like laundry stripping, consider these preventive techniques to maintain your towels' freshness after every use.

1. Clean Your Washing Machine

According to Steve Boorstein, "People shed about 1 billion dead skin cells every day, much of which ends up in your clothes, towels, and washing machine." If you clean your damp towels in a dirty machine, the odor will likely persist. Make sure your washing machine is thoroughly cleaned.

"Before washing your towels, run a cycle with bleach if you're doing whites. Alternatively, run an empty load with ¼ cup of bleach to disinfect the machine," advises Boorstein. This process helps sanitize the washing machine without damaging the towel fabric.

2. Thoroughly Clean Your Towels

Boorstein suggests washing no more than three towels at a time in hot water using the longest cycle. For extra cleaning power, add a regular detergent along with a booster such as white vinegar or essential oils, which can be placed in the fabric softener compartment. If you use vinegar, ensure that you remove any bleach residue left over from sanitizing your washing machine.

If the odor persists on a towel, it indicates that bacteria are still present, either in your washing machine or on the towel itself. In this case, run a bleach cycle again or wash the towel a second time to completely eliminate the remaining bacteria.

Boorstein advises washing your towels regularly, and using each bath towel no more than three times before washing it.

3. Make Sure Towels Are Fully Dry

Quickly remove towels from the warm environment of the washing machine, or bacteria can begin to multiply within one to two hours. Use a timer if necessary. After the dryer finishes, check to ensure your towels are completely dry.

If the towels are still damp, run the dryer again until they are fully dry. Ensuring that your towels are thoroughly dry before folding helps to minimize the growth of bacteria and mildew, which in turn reduces the odor.

4. Maintain Proper Personal Hygiene

Be thorough with soap during your shower or bath, paying extra attention to areas prone to sweat like the feet, underarms, and groin. "Proper hygiene in the shower is essential," Boorstein explains. "Some people―especially kids―don't clean themselves thoroughly while bathing. Any sweat or body oils left behind are transferred to your towel."

5. Always Hang Towels After Use

A towel rack is perfect for allowing maximum air circulation across the entire surface of the towel. Avoid tossing a damp towel—whether used in the kitchen or bathroom—on the floor or into a hamper to dry. Bacteria buildup will only increase if the towel doesn't have a chance to dry completely between uses.

Ensure your towel rack provides enough space for the towel to dry properly. If you find that the towel is still damp after a full day, consider upgrading to a longer towel rack to give it more room to air out.

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