Finding yourself with towels that smell of mold is truly unpleasant. The foul odor sticks to the skin, so the towels become useless if you can’t eliminate the problem. So, what can you do?

Sometimes, even washing them as usual isn’t enough. You need to take different action and use suitable products. But don’t worry; the solution is within reach. Let’s discover what it is in this article.

Why Do Some Clothes End Up Smelling Moldy?

Clothes can develop a musty smell due to humidity or poor ventilation in the place where they are stored. This creates an environment conducive to fungal growth, which produces the unpleasant odor. Furthermore, the accumulation of bacteria on the fabrics can also contribute to the problem. To prevent clothes from spoiling and smelling, it’s essential to ensure they are clean and dry, placed in a well-ventilated area, and stored properly.

Certainly, having a dryer at home, especially in winter, prevents us from putting slightly damp clothes or towels in the drawer. We know well how even a slightly damp towel can end up developing a moldy odor, but not everyone has a dryer. So, let’s see some tips to eliminate the problem. And it’s not about fabric softener.

Soft and Absorbent Towels

Recognizing quality towels is easy. They are typically made from materials such as Egyptian cotton, Turkish cotton, or microfiber, which are soft, absorbent, and durable. The towel’s density is an indicator of quality. The higher the density, the softer, fluffier, and more absorbent the towel will be.

They are also well-finished with strong seams and no frayed edges, and absorbency power is another important factor in evaluating towel quality. However, even quality towels can become rough and smelly if not treated properly. One solution is to use white vinegar, an excellent alternative to fabric softeners.

But you probably want to enjoy the characteristic scent of fabric softeners that you don’t find in vinegar. In this case, essential oils are your friend. By diluting white vinegar in the laundry basket, you can also add a few drops of essential oil to fragrance them properly. A wide range of scents like lavender, eucalyptus, citrus, and many others is available. This will help freshen the towels that smell of mold.

What to Do with Towels that Smell of Mold

Towels can also emit a bad odor if they have been left in the washing machine for too long. So, as soon as the washing cycle is finished, remove them and hang them immediately. To get rid of moldy odors from towels, you need to follow a few steps such as:

• Wash the towels immediately after use, avoiding leaving them wet for too long. Even better, wash your towels with hot water and add a cup of vinegar or a quarter cup of baking soda during the rinse cycle.
• Lay the towels flat, avoiding folding or rolling them, to allow for complete drying.
• Store the towels in a well-ventilated and dry place, avoiding storing them in humid or poorly ventilated environments.

Ammonia for Towels that Smell of Mold

Not everyone likes the smell of ammonia, but in some cases like this one, the stubborn moldy odor that won’t go away leaves us with no other solution. To do this, simply place the towels in the washing machine and pour ammonia into the detergent compartment, then run a short wash cycle. For hand washing, fill a bucket with cold or lukewarm water and add a few drops of ammonia, then immerse the towels and let them soak for about thirty minutes. Finally, drain and let them dry.

Moreover, it’s not recommended to handle ammonia with bare hands. Make sure to wear gloves and do it in a well-ventilated area. Also, consider using goggles and a mask to protect your eyes and face. This will eliminate the moldy odor from the towels while removing tough stains from them.