Washing clothes: when my towels smell, I resort to my grandmother’s tricks

Smelly towels? Thanks to these simple tricks, your laundry will smell fresh again—without the need for expensive special products.

In short: this helps against unpleasant odors in towels.

You can prevent towels from developing an unpleasant odor with a few simple tricks. It is important to wash them in hot water, avoid using fabric softener, use a clean washing machine, and dry them quickly. If the odor is already there, vinegar or baking soda can help as natural odor removers.

After washing, you look forward to fresh towels that smell nice. If, instead, you smell a musty odor reminiscent of a basement, it’s time to take action. We’ve put together the best tips for combating unpleasant towel odors.

Towel odor: here are the causes

You are using too little detergent: Too little detergent, especially in hard water, can lead to the growth of bacteria.

You are using too much detergent or fabric softener: Detergent residues on the fabric can cause odors because they are not rinsed out properly.

You are washing at too low a temperature: Washing temperatures below 60°C do not kill all bacteria.

Mold or limescale has formed in the washing machine. A dirty machine can also cause a musty smell.

Smelly towels: Wash at a very high temperature (60–90°C)

Towels should be washed at a temperature of at least 60 degrees. 90 degrees is best for killing bacteria. If the label indicates that the maximum temperature is 40 degrees, use household products (see below) or a hygienic rinse aid.

Tip: Do not overload the washing machine. This is especially true for towels, as we tend to fill the machine to capacity. However, this is not a good idea, as the towels will not be thoroughly cleaned. The result: detergent residue and dirt remain in the laundry and cause unpleasant odors.

Towel odor: use baking soda to get rid of odors

A tried and tested household remedy for removing unpleasant odors from laundry is baking soda. Simply add 1–2 tablespoons of baking soda together with the detergent to the appropriate compartment and wash as usual.

Towel odor: using the right amount of detergent and fabric softener

Excess detergent can also cause unpleasant odors. Make sure you are using the correct amount. It is better to avoid fabric softener altogether. This is not only better for the environment, but also better for your clothes.

Fabric softener is harmful to many fabrics. These include wool, microfiber fabrics, fleece, and down. You should also avoid using fabric softener when washing sportswear, as it will make it less breathable and cause you to sweat more.

Smelly towels: dry your laundry immediately and don’t leave it lying around.

It is important to remove towels from the machine and dry them immediately after washing. Whether you dry them in the dryer, on a clothes rack, or on a clothesline in the open air is up to you. The main thing is that wet clothes do not lie crumpled in a pile for hours.

Towel odor: Clean your washing machine regularly.

In general, to avoid odors on your clothes, keep your washing machine clean. To do this, first clean the lint filter and wipe down the rubber seals. In addition, run the washing machine empty once a month, adding two to three tablespoons of baking soda and washing at 90 degrees.

Alternatively, you can also use a washing machine cleaner.

Tip: To prevent odors, spread towels out well after each use and hang them on hangers so they can dry quickly. They should also be changed every 2–3 days.