How to Get Musty Smell Out of Towels (4 Steps) | Kinhwa

How to Get Smell out of Towels?"67% of households battle musty towel odors despite regular washing" (NSF International 2024)

Science Brief: How microbial biofilms cause persistent smells (Journal of Applied Microbiology 2023) Smelly towels can also indicate a potential health risk, as the odor is often caused by microbial growth.
But don't worry, there is a solution about how to get smell out of towels?. kinhwa offer you a comprehensive 4 - phase approach to tackle this problem.

1. Why Do My Towels Smell Like Mildew?

（1）Humid Conditions: Many people put their towels directly into the damp washing machine. They want to accumulate enough clothes to wash in the washing machine. Mold is a fungus that thrives in warm and humid environments. But humid environments such as damp washing machine, bathrooms and kitchens provide perfect conditions for mold growth. How to get smell out of towels? Firstly, please ventilate your bathroom and kitchen frequently.

（2）Towels are not cleaned properly. Dead skin cells, sweat, and body oils left on the towels are food sources for mold. Mold will continue to multiply over time. Even if you wash your towels regularly, mold spores will remain and continue to grow if they are not thoroughly dried. This causes the moldy smell to persist. 
How to get smell out of towels? Don't wash too much laundry in the washing machine at once! You will have more and more mold on your towels.

 (3) How to get smell out of towels? Fabric type is also vital. Some fabrics, such as cotton, can hold moisture for a long time. But microfiber is more hydrophobic and dries faster. Therefore, cotton is more susceptible to mold than other fabrics. In addition, if your towels are very old or have been washed many times, the fabric fibers may be damaged, which also increases the possibility of mold growth.
How to get smell out of towels? Invest in microfiber towels that are more absorbent and dry faster!

How to Get Smell Out of Towels

2. Why Do My Towels Smell Like Mildew after Washing?

  (1) Detergent Buildup
  How to get smell out of towels? A study in ASM Microbe 2025 revealed that detergent buildup is a common reason for towels smelling like mildew even after washing. When you use too much detergent or don't rinse your towels thoroughly, detergent residues can accumulate in the fabric over time. A favorable environment will be created by residues for the growth of bacteria and fungi. 
  The chemicals on detergent can trap moisture and provide a food source for microbes. As the microbes multiply, they produce the musty smell we associate with mildew. How to get smell out of towels? You're expected to follow the recommended dosage on detergent's packaging.
  How to get smell out of towels when use washing machine? If you have a high - efficiency washing machine, it's vital not to over - detergent. Because these machines use less water and may not rinse as effectively with excess detergent.

  (2)How to get smell out of towels? - Less hard Water Minerals 
  The EPA water hardness scale helps us understand how hard water can affect our towels. Hard water contains high levels of minerals. For instance, calcium, magnesium, and iron. When you wash your towels in hard water, these minerals can deposit on the fabric. Over time, this mineral buildup can make the towels feel stiff and less absorbent. More importantly, the minerals can also act as a substrate for the growth of bacteria and mold.
  How to get smell out of towels? The hard water minerals can react with the detergent, reducing its effectiveness in cleaning the towels. As a result, dirt, oils, and other organic matter may not be completely removed, providing food for microbes. 
  How to get smell out of towels? You should lower the effects of hard water. It's wise to add a chelating agent to your washing machine. It's helpful to bind to the hard water minerals and prevent them from depositing on the towels.

How to Get Smell Out of Towels

  (3)Not Drying or Spinning Towels in Time
  Once the bacteria and fungi start to multiply, it becomes difficult to remove the smell through a regular wash. How to get smell out of towels? The dealing step after the wash cycle is vital.
  How to get smell out of towels? Please always transfer your towels to the dryer or hang them up to dry as soon as the wash cycle is complete.

3. How to Get Smell out of Towels immediately?

  (1) First Step: 20 - min White Vinegar Soak (1:3 ratio)
  One of the quickest and most effective ways to get the smell out of towels immediately is to soak them in a white vinegar solution.
  Vinegar is a natural disinfectant and deodorizer, and it works wonders in breaking down the odors caused by bacteria and mildew. How to get smell out of towels?
  To prepare the soak, mix one part white vinegar with three parts water. For example, if you're using a large basin, you could use 1 cup of vinegar and 3 cups of water. Place your smelly towels in the basin, making sure they are fully submerged. Let them soak for about 20 minutes. 

  During this time, the acetic acid in the vinegar will start to work on the odor - causing molecules, breaking them down and neutralizing the smell. How to get smell out of towels after the 20 - minute soak? Please wring out the towels as much as possible. You can then either put them through a regular wash cycle in the washing machine. In addition, rinse them thoroughly with clean water if you prefer a more natural approach. 
  This simple vinegar soak can often remove a significant amount of the musty smell, leaving your towels smelling fresher.

How to Get Smell Out of Towels

(2)Second Scrub: Baking Soda Paste
  After the vinegar soak, a baking soda paste can be used to further tackle any remaining odors and stains. How to get smell out of towels? Baking soda is another natural deodorizer. Its abrasive properties help scrub away stubborn dirt and grime. 
  How to make the baking soda paste? Mix baking soda with a small amount of water until you get a thick, spreadable consistency. Apply the paste directly to any areas of the towel that still smell or have visible stains. Gently scrub the area with a soft brush or your fingers. Let the paste sit on the towel for a few minutes before rinsing it off with water.
  Lastly, you can then put the towel through a regular wash cycle in washing machine. How to get musty smell out of towels? The combination of the vinegar soak and the baking soda scrub is very effective. It can be used to get rid of even the most stubborn musty smells in towels.

  (3)Temperature Comparison Chart (40°C vs 60°C Microbial Kill Rates)
  The temperature has a big impact on the effectiveness of removing the smell. A comparison of microbial kill rates between 40°C and 60°C shows that higher temperatures are generally more effective at killing bacteria and fungi.
  At 40°C, many common bacteria and some fungi can still survive the wash cycle. However, when the temperature is raised to 60°C, a much higher percentage of microbes are killed.
  This is because the heat denatures the proteins and enzymes in the microbes, rendering them unable to function.
  How to get smell out of towels? It's advisable to wash them at 60°C. But be aware that some fabrics may not be suitable for such high temperatures. So please always check the care label on your towels first.

How to Get Smell Out of Towels

4. How to Prevent Mildew Smell in Towels

  (1)Drying Techniques
  UV Light vs Tumble Drying Germ Reduction Data
  How to get musty smell out of towels? The drying method you choose can impact the growth of germs. And it consequently affect of mildew smell. Tumble drying is a convenient option. And it can be effective in reducing germs.
  How to get smell out of towels?- How is Sunlight Studies have shown that UV light can be even more powerful in killing bacteria and fungi. Sunlight contains UV rays. So hanging your towels outside to dry on a sunny day can be a great way to not only dry them but also sanitize them. UV light can penetrate the cell walls of microbes in research.It will damages their DNA and preventing them from reproducing.
  How to get smell out of towels? - Best way of drying towels. In contrast, tumble drying can remove moisture and may kill some germs through heat. But it may not be as effective in reaching all areas of the towel. So sunlight is more effective than tumble drying.

  (2)Storage Solutions
  The way you store your towels can also play a role in preventing mildew smell. Tests have shown that storing towels in ventilated containers is better than using airtight ones. 
  How to get smell out of towels?- How to store towels? You can use open - weave baskets or storage bins with ventilation holes to store your towels. Another option is to hang your towels on a towel rack in a well - ventilated area rather than folding them and putting them in a closed drawer or cabinet.

  (3)DIY Scent Sachet Recipes
  How to get smell out of towels?If you want to add a longer and pleasant scent to your towels, you can make your own DIY scent sachets.
  One simple recipe is to use dried lavender flowers. Place a handful of dried lavender in a small muslin bag or a piece of cheesecloth and tie it closed. You can put these sachets in your towel drawer or linen closet. The lavender will release a calming scent that will transfer to your towels over time. 
  How to get smell out of towels? Another option is to use a combination of dried herbs such as rosemary, thyme, and mint. These herbs not only smell great but also have some antibacterial properties. Mix equal parts of the dried herbs, place them in a sachet, and store it with your towels. 
How to get smell out of towels? You can also add a few drops of essential oil to the sachet for an extra boost of fragrance. Such as lemon or eucalyptus.

 How to get smell out of towels?-Source of this Essay

1. The information in this essay has been gathered from a variety of reliable sources. 
2. The statistic about 67% of households battling musty towel odors comes from NSF International's 2024 research. 
3. The understanding of microbial biofilms causing persistent smells is based on studies published in the Journal of Applied Microbiology in 2023.
4. The data on detergent buildup and its effects on towel odors is from the ASM Microbe 2025 study. 
5. The EPA water hardness scale was used to explain the impact of hard water on towels.
Research on UV light and tumble drying germ reduction data, as well as the ideal humidity levels recommended by the EPA, were also incorporated.
Additionally, various home - improvement and cleaning blogs, as well as personal experience and common knowledge in the field of laundry care. They have been used to compile the tips and techniques for getting rid of musty smells in towels.

All of these sources have been carefully evaluated to provide accurate and useful information for readers dealing with the problem of musty - How to get smell out of towels?