Towels, when constantly used, tend to accumulate an offensive smell over a period of time. The primary causes of malodor are detergent residues, fungus that grows due to poor towel drying, and evidence of hard water on towels.
We’ll show you how to eliminate the towel smells, suggest sustainable solutions, and provide you with effective tips for keeping your towels soft and free from odor after several washes. Good maintenance of your towels leaves them soft and fresh for a number of washes.
Why do Towels start to smell?
Towels frequently have nasty smells due to detergent residue, mold, and hard water chemicals.
Detergent and softener residue
When the detergent and softener build up in the towel, this creates an environment that attracts moisture and bacteria, making them musty.
Incomplete drying causes mold.
Moist towels can be left in the air to encourage the growth of mold and mildew, sometimes with musty and unwanted smells.
Towels stay damp in the washing machine.
An extended washing in the machine can prevent towels’ properly drying, which can promote bacteria and odors.
Hard water residue and mineral deposits
Hard water leaves towels covered with mineral residue, which reduces towels’ absorbency and traps odors, hence the towels would still smell after washing.
How To Remove Odor From Towels: A Step-by-Step Guide?
Use this guide to rid towels of odors with everyday household supplies.
Step 1: Wash Towels with Vinegar
Put the towels in your washing machine. Pour 1 cup of white vinegar into the dispenser for detergent. Go ahead with a washing cycle at a high-temperature water and without detergent. The vinegar removes buildup and eliminates smells.
Step 2: Rewash with Baking Soda
Leave the towels in the machine after the vinegar wash cycle. Put a half cup of baking soda straight into the washing machine drum. Do a hot water wash cycle without detergent. Baking soda will not only eliminate odors but also make your fabric soft.
Step 3: Dry Towels Thoroughly – There Are No Shortcuts
When the machine stops, quickly take the towels to the dryer. Put the towels through the machine’s dryer on the highest heat setting to prevent moisture buildup. A second choice is to spread out the towels in the sun and let them dry entirely. Proper drying prevents mildew growth.
Step 4: Avoid Using Too Much Detergent Next Time
Too much detergent use usually leads to a buildup of residues, which attract moisture and odors. Stick to the recommended amount of detergent and don’t use fabric softeners to keep towels absorbent.
Natural Ways To Remove Odor From Towels
In a natural way, household staples can eliminate unwanted odors from towels.
White Vinegar Soak
A white vinegar soak disrupts detergent particles and reduces the presence of odor-generating residues. For a hot water cycle, add one cup of white vinegar to the load, without using any detergent. With this approach, mildew odors are eliminated or help towels regain freshness.
Baking Soda Enhances Washing Performance
Baking soda works as a natural deodorant and also as a milder fabric softener. Add half a cup of baking soda to the washing machine drum when the drum is running on hot water. It not only eliminates odors but also enhances your laundry cleaning efficiency.
Essential Oils for a Fresh Scent
If you add a bit of breeze of essential oils such as eucalyptus or lavender when doing laundry, it can help with the scent of towels. The addition of essential oils to the washing process both eliminates offensive odors and gives effective antimicrobial qualities to clean towels.
Lemon Juice as a Promising Natural Deodorizer
Due to its acidity, lemon juice is capable of successfully neutralising any odour that might be left behind in towels. Put towels in a combination of half a cup of lemon juice in a gallon of water for thirty minutes before washing them via your normal laundry process. Using this method, you can deal with the most stubborn smells, and you will be able to feel fresh-smelling towels afterward.
How to Prevent Towel Odors Before They Begin?
If you are interested in non-odorized and fresh towels, try to do the following:
Always hang towels to dry after use
Hang your towel in an open, well-ventilated place after each use so it can dry carefully. Stacking damp towels together can cause a buildup of mildew and an undesirable smell.
Wash and store towels separately from other clothes
Washing towels on their own prevents the spread of lint and helps prevent mixing odors with other clothes. Thicker towels are able to absorb bacteria more rapidly than lighter clothing.
Use hot water to wash towels
The best way to kill the bacteria and remove the buildup of the detergent is to wash the towels with hot water. Washing with hot water increases the ability to clean and also reduces the amount of buildup and odor.
Clean your washing machine regularly
The fact that the washing machine contains water residue and moisture can help bacterial and mold growth. So, in order to keep the washing machine clean, add white vinegar, empty and use a hot wash once a month, and allow it to run through the full cycle.
Avoid using softeners that absorb odors
Fabric softener use can create a layer on towels, reducing absorbency, allowing for odors to accumulate. Wash with white vinegar to naturally refresh your towels.
When Should You Replace Your Towels?
Although towels are very important for keeping us clean, their functionality can deteriorate, and bacteria can grow as they get older.
Signs that a towel is no longer usable
Abort with towels that are rough, do not absorb water well, or trap odors after being washed several times. Apparent damage, including frayed edges, holes, or faded coloration, makes clear a towel’s loss of effectiveness and condition. Foul, strong smells may indicate that bacteria and mildew are accumulating in the towel fabric. These towels are not doing their job correctly; in some cases, they may even harm your health.
Choose high-quality odor-resistant towels
The selection of Egyptian or Turkish cotton towels, recognized by their quality, can extend their life and also make them more absorbent. They don’t stick to odors as long and maintain their softness longer than cheaper towels.
How often should towels be replaced?
Bath towels usually last between two and five years, but the duration really depends on the rate of their usage and care. As hand towels and washcloths are used more frequently, it is recommended to replace them once in 1-2 years. Regular checking of your towels maintains both hygiene and user comfort.
Conclusion
Good care through washing, drying, and replacement on time keeps towels clean of odors. Consistency with these recommendations helps your towels last longer, remain clean, and fresh. To upgrade your towel collection, explore Ownkoti's selection of breathable cotton waffle weave bath towels, vintage plaid cotton square towel sets, checkerboard plaid colorblock cotton sets, matching bedding sets, and flower-soft cotton beach towels at Ownkoti and our high quality towels for the perfect match.
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