How to Remove the Musty Odor from Bath Towels

The number one rule for always having fragrant smelling bath towels, which do not ever smell musty is never to let them get that way. A musty smell is avoided if after use, the towels are hung up to dry and not left in a pile on the bathroom floor or dumped wet in the laundry basket. Also, when possible, they should be washed and dried on a sunny, windy day.

If, for some reason or other, your bath towels get musty, here is a sure way method for removing that annoying odor and restoring the towels to their former pristine condition.

Step 1-Weather Forecast

Look up the weather forecast to check when the nearest sunny day is to be. Only go on to the next step on the chosen day.

Step 2-Primary Wash

Give the towels a light wash with detergent in the washing machine using a moderately hot temperature and short cycle program. Do not use softener at this stage.

Step 3-Soaking

Some towels are not color fast so it is best to use color safe bleach. Wearing the plastic gloves, mix the bleach with water in the plastic basin. Follow the manufacturer’s instruction on the strength of the solution and let the towels soak in it overnight.

Step 4-Rinsing

The following day, remove the towels from the bleach solution and give them a light rinse and spin in the washing machine, or you can wring and rinse them manually.

Step 4-Washing

Set the washing machine temperature to hot, put in detergent and fabric softener and choose a long duration cycle so your towels will have time to soak again. Do not let the towels stand in the machine for a long time after the wash is over. The best method is to open the machine and, before removing the towels, let them stand for a minute so they can adjust to room temperature. Then hang out to dry.

Step 5-Drying Time

Immediately after the wash is over, hang the towels on the line where the sun will shine directly on them. Do the same if you are using a portable clothes horse or rack. Give the towels plenty of space so the wind can move around them freely and make sure they are completely dry before taking them in.                                                                                     

Step 6-Dryer 

When the towels are dry give them a short time in the dryer so they will soften and become fluffy again. Let them cool and then fold them.

If for some reason the end result is not quite as good as desired, you might have to check if your washing machine is in need of a purification wash itself. There are many products on the market which you can safely use to remove all odors that might have accumulated in the machine through constant use and left over dampness. If this is the case then clean the machine and put the towels through the same process again. The end result will be the one you desire and hope for: your towels will smell lovely again.