How To Get Rid Of Musty, Damp Smells On Towels

There’s nothing worse than grabbing a towel from your airing cupboard, only to find it smells about a thousand years old. (Nobody wants to get out of the shower and rub that across their clean body.)

But it turns out that musty, damp smell usually occurs because detergent hasn’t been washed out of the towel properly in the past.

When detergent or fabric conditioner isn’t rinsed out fully, it can create a greasy film that traps sweat and oils in the fibres, resulting in that unmistakable smell.

And thankfully, there’s a fairly easy way to get rid of it.

A simple trick to stop towels from smelling unpleasant is to add half a cup of bicarbonate of soda to your wash to neutralise odours, according to Lottomart.

This pantry staple, which doubles up as a natural deodoriser, can be bought for as little as 60p, making it an incredibly cost-effective solution.

If you haven’t got bicarb to hand, you can also use two or three cups of white distilled vinegar in your wash to help strip away dirt and any bad smells.

Adding a few drops of tea tree or eucalyptus oil to your wash can also help to neutralise any odours. According to The Spruce, experts agree that these oils are best for deodorising and disinfecting laundry – especially sportswear.

And while you might often stick to a 30-degree wash as it’s better for the planet, your pennies and your clothes; sometimes sticking towels on a hot wash (think 60 degrees) can help strip away any detergent build-up, as well as nasty bacteria.

Just remember to avoid overloading the washing machine, as towels need space to move freely for proper rinsing.

Lastly, if you’re tempted to use fabric softener on your towels, experts generally advise against it. Professional cleaner Ann Russell previously noted that using fabric softener makes towels less absorbent – and essentially leaves them unable to do their job.