How To Get Mildew Smell Out Of Towels? Cleaning Tips And Drying Methods

If towels smell like mildew, the first step is to wash them in hot water without detergent, using one cup of distilled white vinegar to break down residue. Follow this with a second wash using half a cup of baking soda to neutralize the odor and soften fibers.

This two-step process is one of the best ways of getting mildew smell out of towels. Standard detergent cycles don’t fully remove bacteria and buildup, which is why odor lingers. For heavier cases, it may help to soak towels in a vinegar-and-water solution for an hour before washing.

Once finished, dry the towels completely in sunlight or a hot dryer cycle. With consistent deep cleaning every few months, you can prevent recurrence and ensure your custom rally towels or other varieties remain fresh, clean, and free from that stubborn mildew smell.

Borax is an effective solution for removing mildew odor because it softens hard water and acts as a natural deodorizer. To use it safely, add half a cup of borax directly to your washing machine drum along with your regular detergent.

By doing this, you remove mildew smell from towels while preventing odor from recurring. Borax also has antifungal properties that help make it suitable for tackling mildew towels. However, always check your towels fabric care instructions, as borax can be harsh on delicate fibers like:

• Bamboo
• Microfiber

For routine loads, combine borax with hot water for maximum effectiveness. Though borax works well, we recommend that you rotate it with vinegar or baking soda occasionally. Our own tests have revealed that excessive borax use can lead to fabric wear.

Golf towels are used for cleaning and drying clubs, so they often remain damp for long periods and develop a mildew smell. Borax can restore softness and remove moldy odors even when they are very stubborn.

If your towels smell like mildew after washing, there could be several factors to blame for it. One of the most common mistakes is using too much detergent, leaving residue that traps odor-causing bacteria in fibers of towels, plush fleece blankets, and more.

Here are some other potential culprits:

• Fabric softeners: These tend to coat towels and prevent them from rinsing clean.
• Moisture retention: Towels left damp in the washer or dryer quickly develop a towel mildew smell.

Environmental factors like high humidity or poor ventilation can also contribute, particularly if towels are left folded and stored before drying fully. Even hard water can worsen the issue by leaving behind mineral deposits that hold bacteria.

Research shows that pleasant-smelling clothing and towels are associated with cleanliness and attractiveness, so you will want to avoid mildew smells. Do so by using the correct amount of detergent, washing with hot water, skipping softeners, and drying thoroughly.

What Causes Towel Mildew Odor?

The main cause of mildew smell in towels is bacteria buildup due to moisture retention. Towels are often left damp for long periods after showers or workouts, creating the ideal environment for the growth of microbes.

Here are a couple of other causes:

• Improper drying: If you leave towels in the washing machine overnight, for instance, it further accelerates mildew on towels.
• Hard water: Minerals trap detergent residue in fabric, giving bacteria more surfaces to cling to.

Over time, this combination leads to towel mildew smell that regular washing simply won’t fix. To prevent it, always hang towels to dry after use, wash them frequently in hot water, and avoid leaving them crumpled in hampers.

For added freshness, consider investing in high-quality towels that resist bacteria buildup. Our custom bathroom towels and other varieties offer durability and softness as well as high-quality personalized designs.

You should take mildew on towels seriously as it signals bacterial and fungal growth. While a mild odor is unpleasant but manageable, visible black mold on towels or persistent smells could actually pose health risks.

Exposure can cause issues like:

• Irritated skin
• Allergic reactions
• Worsening of asthma symptoms

The question of the danger of mildew on towels depends on severity but, generally speaking, it is unwise to ignore it. Towels are used directly on your skin, so keeping them clean is vital for hygiene.

How cooling towels work, for example, revolves around keeping them damp, but it is important to dry them out afterwards to avoid mildew. A growing problem in a towel can be salvaged using vinegar, baking soda, or borax treatments. However, if stains remain or fibers weaken, it might be best to replace them.

How To Get Mold Out Of Towels Safely?

Learning how to remove mildew from towels requires choosing the right cleaning method. For light cases, you can soak towels in hot water mixed with vinegar or baking soda before putting them in the washing machine for a full cycle.

For more severe mold growth, a borax solution is often effective. Here are some tips:

• Always wash towels on the hottest cycle the fabric allows, as heat kills bacteria and spores.
• Avoid simply masking odor with fabric softener, as it worsens with buildup.
• For households sensitive to chemicals, try natural solutions like vinegar and tea tree oil.

If mold on a towel appears as black spots or the fibers weaken, we recommend replacement as the safest option. Remember, whether you can wash mold out of towels depends on severity. Studies have proved that certain mold species are human pathogens that can cause respiratory issues, so don’t ignore it.

Vinegar, baking soda, and borax are three of the most effective remedies for removing mildew smell from towels. Each solution can be used individually, but for stubborn mildew towel smells, alternating between them achieves the best results.

Let’s look at each in a little detail:

• Vinegar: This can break down detergent residue and kill bacteria.
• Baking soda: Known to neutralize odors and restore softness.
• Borax: This enhances detergent performance and prevents odor from recurring.

One good approach might be to wash with vinegar first before following with a second cycle that contains baking soda. Borax can be added to regular loads as a booster. These natural solutions are safer for fabrics than using harsh bleach, and they are eco-friendly solutions.

When used regularly, these can prevent buildup in towels and garments like a Gildan Adult Heavy Blend 8 Oz. 50/50 Hooded Sweatshirt.

Can You Wash Towels With Vinegar And Baking Soda At The Same Time?

Generally speaking, it isn’t ideal to combine vinegar and baking soda in the same wash cycle because they neutralize each other. Instead, use them in two separate washes for best results. Let’s look at a simple step-by-step:

1. Wash towels in hot water with one cup of vinegar to dissolve residue and kill bacteria.
2. Run a second wash using half a cup of baking soda to deodorize and soften fibers.

This two-step process is considered by many to be the best way to get mildew smell out of towels. If you’re short on time, a single cycle with either vinegar or baking soda still helps, but both together maximize freshness.

Avoid adding detergent or fabric softener during these treatments. Scientific studies have shown that baking soda can inhibit and kill bacteria, so put your faith in its effectiveness.

For those who prefer to avoid harsh chemicals, there are effective ways to get mildew smell out of towels without bleach. Vinegar is a natural disinfectant that dissolves residue, while baking soda neutralizes odor.

Let’s look at a couple more things that can help:

• Essential oils: Tea tree and eucalyptus can both be added to the wash for antibacterial benefits and a pleasant scent.
• Borax: Another eco-friendly option, this enhances cleaning power.

Always dry thoroughly - preferably in sunlight - to further eliminate spores. This process shows how to get mold out of towels without bleach while preserving fabric integrity. If you are choosing towels as one of the top types of promotional products with logos, make sure you provide care instructions for laundry routines.

Front-loading washers are efficient but more prone to mildew buildup due to their airtight seals. This can cause towels to smell musty even after washing. We recommend running a cleaning cycle with hot water and vinegar to tackle this before washing your towels.

Once this is done, wash your towels on the hottest setting with vinegar or borax to remove mildew smell from towels. Experts say mildew spores can exacerbate asthma or other respiratory issues, so it is important to take this seriously. Follow up with a second rinse with baking soda to further neutralize the mildew.

Here are some important tips for front loader washers:

• Clean the rubber gasket regularly, as it often harbors bacteria.
• Leave the washer door open after use to improve airflow and prevent mold growth.

By maintaining both your washer and your towels, you’ll prevent towels smelling like mildew after washing and ensure every load comes out fresh.

Prevention is the best long-term solution for avoiding mildew smell in towels. Let’s look at some tips to prevent tells from smelling musty:

• Drying: Always hang towels to dry immediately after use instead of tossing them into hampers while damp.
• Regular washing: Wash towels every 3-4 uses in hot water, avoiding excessive detergent or fabric softeners.
• Storage: Fold towels only when completely dry and place them in a ventilated space.
• Humidity control: Dehumidifiers in laundry areas are very helpful.
• Anti-mildew towels: Investing in these can reduce problems as these fabrics resist bacterial growth.

Work with us to create high-quality custom gym towels and other varieties, designed with durability and odor-resistance in mind. This will help you maintain freshness and comfort over time with consistent care.

How To Properly Dry Towels To Avoid Mildew?

The drying process is crucial for preventing mildew on towels. Always ensure towels are fully dry before storing them. Sun drying is one of the most effective methods, as UV rays naturally kill bacteria and remove odors.

If you must air dry indoors, hang towels in a well-ventilated area with plenty of airflow. Machine drying is also effective, but avoid overloading the dryer as this can lead to moisture being trapped in fibers. Fluffing towels during the cycle helps ensure even drying.

In a humid climate, use a dehumidifier or a heated drying rack to speed up the process. Proper drying eliminates the risk of mildew towel smell but also extends towel lifespan. Researchers have found that mildew can damage fabric, so good drying helps keep fibers intact.

With carefully drying practices, your towels stay fresh, hygienic, and pleasantly soft.