Reasons Why Your Towels Smell Like Mildew

One of the main causes of this awful smell is detergent build-up. Using too much detergent is not good for your towels. Usually, washing machines fail to rinse out all the detergent and fabric softener and the residue start building over time.

When this residue builds up in the fibres of your towels, it stops them from drying and absorbing effectively. Your towels then become a breeding ground for bacteria and hence the musty smell.

Another reason behind smelly towels is that you don’t let your wet towel dry properly after use. Your towel is going to stay wet if you simply throw your wet towel into the hamper. While your towel is wet, it will eventually attract mildew and end up catching a gross smell.

HOW TO GET MUSTY SMELL OUT OF YOUR TOWELS?

You can make your musty towels fresh again and prevent them from the musty smell by following these easy steps:

Step 1: Machine Wash with Hot Water and White Vinegar

Put your towels in the washing machine along with one cup of white vinegar. Do not add detergent or fabric softener especially bleach. Wash it on a hot water cycle and let your washer do the trick. Vinegar will act as a natural fabric softener.

Step 2: Machine Wash with Hot Water and Baking Soda

Once the wash cycle is done, rewash your towels through the regular cycle again, by using only a half cup of baking soda. Start a second hot water wash cycle with no detergent or fabric softener. Only baking soda will do the job.

Step 3: Dry Your Towels Thoroughly

Once you have done with the second wash, you need to thoroughly dry your towels. You can toss them in the dryer, hang them on a clothesline, or do any way you prefer to dry them. Once your towels are dry, they will smell great and fresh.

Instructions:

This vinegar-baking soda treatment should take care of most odour problems of your towels. You can keep repeating the three steps if your towels still smell a bit gross. Also, note that this is a cleaning treatment and you should not use it as an everyday washing method to clean your towels.

HOW TO KEEP YOUR TOWELS FRESH?

Now that you know how to restore freshness to your towels, let’s discuss how to make sure that they stay that way. Follow these guidelines to keep your towels soft, clean, and smelling fresh:

1. Always allow your towels to dry completely between each use to avoid germs and bad odours. The best way is to hang your wet towel to dry.

2. Always store completely dry and clean towels in a well-ventilated space that is dry and cool. If your towels are not fully dried, moisture can breed bacteria and cause a musty smell.

3. Stick to the recommended amount of detergent. Excess detergent can leave behind a residue on your towels. When this residue builds up, it does not let your towels dry effectively.

4. Avoid using fabric softener on towels. Fabric softener can leave a residue that makes your towels less absorbent. Use white vinegar instead as a natural fabric softener.

5. Wash your towels frequently. It is recommended to wash bath towels after every three uses. Wash your towel twice a week if you shower every day.

6. Give your towels the white vinegar and baking soda treatment every third or fourth wash to keep them fresh and fluffy.

Do try out these tips to enjoy fresh, soft towels any day. If you want to know how to properly care for your towels, do check out our related blog to learn some amazing tips to keep your towels clean, absorbent and fluffy for the long haul.

The post HOW TO REFRESH YOUR MUSTY TOWELS appeared first on Bedding Republic.

You can keep your towels clean by just washing them regularly, but with a little extra care, you can keep them extra soft, absorbent, and fluffy for the long haul.

Your towels can transform your bathroom into a luxury sanctuary. You can extend the life and effectiveness of your towels with a little care.

Bedding Republic presents some care instructions for you that will help to prolong the life of your towels so you can enjoy them for many years to come.

HOW TO PROPERLY CARE FOR YOUR TOWELS?

Washing:

The first step to caring for your towels starts in the washing machine. You must wash your towels separately from your linens and clothing. Wash towels in cold or warm water on a gentle cycle. Always wash white and coloured towels separately.

Prevent staining and discolouration:

To prevent staining and discolouration, never use bleach, toothpaste, or household cleaners, or products that claim to brighten, whiten, or disinfect. Avoid using products like alpha hydroxyl acids or benzoyl peroxide as thy contain bleaching agents.

Do not use too much detergent:

Do not use too much detergent for washing your towels. For a full load, add only two tablespoons of detergent. The excess detergent will leave your towels feeling stiff and rough. It might also cause a buildup that can limit the absorbency.

Avoid using fabric softener:

Skip using fabric softener because it deposits a waxy coating that can break down the fibres of your towels and make them less absorbent. So basically, fabric softeners are the illusion of softness.

Drying:

After using your towels, you must dry your towels by hanging them on racks or hooks. To dry your towels after machine wash, always use low heat to preserve the softness of your towels. High heat can harm the delicate fibres of your towels.

Storing:

You must store completely dry and clean towels in a well-ventilated space that is dry and cool. If your towels are not fully dried, moisture can breed bacteria and cause a musty smell. To keep your towels looking fluffy, give them a shake before folding.

Enhance absorbency with vinegar:

To achieve maximum absorbency, wash your towels in lukewarm water on a regular wash cycle with one cup of white vinegar about every six weeks. The vinegar will remove any excess detergent, which affects the absorbency of your towels.

Eliminate musty odours with baking soda:

Add one and a half cups of baking soda along your detergent in a wash cycle to eliminate the musty smell. Such a musty smell is often associated with towels that are not dried after use. Also, dry your towels completely before folding and storing them away.

Replace your towels regularly:

Despite your best care, your towels will lose absorbency with repeated use. The fibres of your towels inherently break down with consistent use. Experts recommend that you should replace your towels every two years.

HOW OFTEN YOU SHOULD WASH YOUR TOWELS?

Towels remain damp for hours and absorb a lot of water, which makes them an ideal breeding ground for germs. That is why you must wash your towels after every three uses. The best practice is to let your towel dry completely between each use to prevent unwanted germs and bad odours.

Studies and cleaning institutes recommend washing bath towels after every three uses. You must wash your towel twice a week if you shower every day. Regular laundry significantly helps to clean towels and remove germs. Consumer Reports also suggest that a bath towel can be used almost three times before it needs to be tossed in the hamper.

Bedding Republic has an exceptional range of towels with premium quality, softness, and durability. Our towels are made with the perfect combination of quality, texture, weight, and thickness. Shop from our latest collection of premium towels that add both comfort and style to your bathroom.

The post HOW TO CARE FOR YOUR TOWELS? appeared first on Bedding Republic.