How to Remove Odors From Musty Towels

Remove that stinky smell from towels once and for all.

Updated on November 15, 2023

Towels are one of the most important pieces of laundry to keep clean and dry. Unfortunately, damp towels are vulnerable to bacterial growth, which causes that "musty" or "sour" smell. (Gross but true: That unpleasant odor is the smell of bacteria breeding.)

We asked a cleaning expert exactly how to get that musty smell out of towels, and he assured us that you can slow the growth of bacteria with a holistic approach. Before you attempt laundry stripping, try these preventative measures and cleaning techniques to keep towels smelling fresh after every use.

Steve Boorstein is a self-proclaimed Clothing Doctor and the co-author of The Clothing Doctor's 99 Secrets of Cleaning and Clothing Care.

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Sanitize Your Washing Machine

"People shed about 1 billion dead skin cells every day, much of which ends up in your clothes, towels, and washing machine," says Steve Boorstein. If you clean your musty towels in a dirty washing machine, it's likely you'll have trouble removing the odor completely. So make sure your washing machine is clean.

"Before washing your towels, do your whites if you use bleach. Or run an empty load with ¼ cup bleach to disinfect the interior," Boorstein explains. Running an empty load with bleach prior to washing your towels will disinfect the interior of the machine without being harsh on the towel fabric.

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Deep Clean Your Towels

Boorstein recommends washing small loads of no more than three towels in hot water on the longest setting. Use a regular detergent plus a booster like white vinegar or essential oils, which you can add to the fabric softener compartment. If you opt for vinegar, make sure to rinse away any bleach residue from sanitizing your washing machine.

If a towel continues to have a smell, it means that bacteria are still in your machine or on your towel. Run the washing machine again with bleach, or wash the towel a second time to remove the stubborn bacteria.

Remember, wash your towels frequently, says Boorstein, and use a bath towel no more than three times between washings.

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Ensure Towels Are Completely Dry

Remove the towels from the warm environment of the washing machine quickly, or bacteria will start breeding within one to two hours. Set a timer if you must. After the dryer runs, check if your towels are still a bit damp.

If the towels are still damp, run the dryer again until they are completely dry. By ensuring towels are completely dry before folding, you'll help reduce the growth of bacteria and mildew on the towels, which, in turn, will reduce the smell.

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Thoroughly Clean Yourself

Scrub diligently with soap in the shower or bath, especially sweat "hot spots," such as the feet, the underarms, and the groin. "Good hygiene in the shower is critical," says Boorstein. "Some people―including most kids―don't wash thoroughly when bathing. Any bacteria from sweat and body oils that aren't washed away gets transferred to your towel."

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Hang Up Towels After Each Use

A towel rack is ideal for airing out the maximum amount of surface area. Don't throw a damp towel―whether it has been used in the kitchen or the bathroom―on the floor or in a hamper to dry. The residual buildup of bacteria only worsens if a damp towel doesn't dry completely between uses.

Make sure your towel rack allows enough space for your towel to dry correctly. If you notice it's still damp after a day, you may need to consider getting a longer towel rack so that it has room to breathe.

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