Learn how to clean and refresh your smelly towels in an all-natural way with virtually no extra effort (your washing machine will do all the heavy lifting for you!)
I joke with Dave that our family doesn’t need a dog because I sweep up all the crumbs and my sense of smell is just about as strong as a dog’s!
OK, not really — but if you ask anyone who knows me, they will tell you I can smell almost anything almost anywhere! 🙂
When it comes to smells, my nose is one of the most sensitive around… which is why I often opt for unscented products whenever possible. I also rarely wear perfume, and I only burn candles during the holidays (and only a few select scents).
Anyway… one of the worst smells for me (even worse than a blowout diaper after eating asparagus) is the dank, musty, mildewy scent of SMELLY TOWELS or stinky washcloths!
Seriously, I can’t handle it.
As someone who prides herself on being frugal and resourceful, I have to admit that I’ve actually thrown out perfectly good towels and washcloths simply because I couldn’t remove that stinky towel smell.
The Cause of Your Smelly Towels:
Before we get too far into this post, I just want to share a little more about what causes that horrible stinky towel smell (because it might not be what you think!)
According to my research, the moldy, mildewy, gross smell wafting from your towels is a result of residue from detergents and fabric softeners that have not been thoroughly rinsed out.
Since towels are SO absorbant, washing machines can have trouble fully rinsing out detergents and fabric softeners (which is why I don’t use detergent or fabric softener — more on this later though!)
This residue, combined with damp conditions in your bathroom, creates a breeding ground for bacteria.
When bacteria inhabit your towels, they emit waste… this waste is what you smell. (source — it’s long but fascinating)
Yup, pretty nasty, huh?
I’ve learned a lot about cleaning and disinfecting over the last 10 years, and just a couple of years ago, I shared my simple method for how to clean stinky towels.
I haven’t had to throw out a single towel since then… woohoo!
However, my previous stinky towel cleaning method uses bleach.
Now, I don’t have anything against using bleach, BUT, I made a commitment to use “natural” cosmetics and personal care products this year… and that has started spilling over into my cleaning products too.
Plus, if I’m really honest, my sourdough is going much better now that I’m not using bleach on my towels (more on this in another post!)
While I’m not opposed to cleaning with bleach (especially not to get that nasty stinky towel smell out), I decided to do a little research to see if I could come up with an all-natural way to keep our towels smelling clean and fresh.
Well, guess what?
I found an all-natural method that really works for smelly towels!
If you struggle with stinky, smelly towels but want to try something all-natural before resorting to bleach or other harsh chemicals, I’ve got just the recipe for you.
Bonus points that it’s SUPER simple and really frugal!
How to Clean Smelly Towels (The All-Natural Way)
Learn how to clean and refresh your smelly towels in an all-natural way with virtually no extra effort (your washing machine will do all the heavy lifting for you!)
Materials
- Smelly Towels
- Hot Water
- White Vinegar
- Baking Soda
Instructions
- Load washing machine with smelly towels (don't cram it too full).
- Add 1 c. white vinegar to the detergent slot (do NOT use any regular laundry detergent or bleach).
- Wash on the hottest setting (either "normal" or "heavy-duty" cycle).
- Leave wet towels in the washing machine, add 1/2 c. baking soda right in with the towels, and wash again on the hottest setting.
- Immediately hang towels to dry in the sun, or dry fully in a hot dryer.
- Repeat with additional towels.
Notes
This process essentially "strips" the towels of built-up residue that creates a breeding ground for mold and mildew to thrive.
It should only be done "as necessary" since it is hard on the fabric.
Also, the same simple all-natural method can be used for grungy (and stinky) sheets, pillowcases, cloth napkins, and even cloth diapers.
For daily and weekly washing, use hot water with a small amount of detergent or laundry balls.
Recommended Products
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After you put in the work to refresh your towels and remove the smell, you certainly don’t want to end up with smelly towels in another month again.
In order to keep your towels smelling fresh and clean, there are a few things you can (and should) do.
10 Tips to Stop Smelly Towel Odors from Returning:
- Hang damp towels immediately after using and let them dry FULLY before putting them into a hamper.
- Run a fan in your bathroom (or open a window) to allow more air ventilation.
- Change out towels regularly (I change hand towels and washcloths daily; bath towels every 3 days).
- Don’t fill the washing machine too full — the towels need room to move.
- Wash towels with very hot water.
- Wash towels on the “normal” or “heavy” setting.
- Don’t use too much detergent (we don’t use any detergent!)
- Never use fabric softener (we use wool dryer balls instead).
- Don’t let damp towels sit in the washing machine.
- Line dry towels in the sun if possible, or dry completely on in a hot dryer.
Related Resources:
How I Prevent and Eliminate Stinky Towels (with bleach – not all-natural)
Why I Created a Laundry Routine and how it simplifies my life
101 Uses for Vinegar (laundry is one of them!)
How I Wash all our Laundry WITHOUT Detergent (hello Laundry Balls!)
10 Life-Changing Tips when You’re Overwhelmed With Laundry
My 7 Laundry Don’ts (these will change the way you think about laundry forever!)
Whew — that’s a lot of laundry talk for one day!
Based on your emails and comments, I know laundry is one thing we all struggle with — it’s never-ending after all!
I might not be able to answer every one of your pressing laundry questions, but I’ve totally got you covered when it comes to gross smelly towels. 🙂
If you struggle with stinky, smelly towels, try this all-natural cleaning method and let me know how it works!
Evelyn says
Works like a charm!
Thank you!
Andrea says
yay — happy to hear your sucess story!
Doreen Palmer says
When using this method to get the smell out of your towels after using vinegar and then baking soda do you then wash them?
Andrea says
I do not wash them again right away, but if you feel like you can smell vinegar (I doubt you would) or if you just want to make sure they are extra clean, you can certainly run them through the hot cycle again!
Ellen Burgan says
I gave your method a try and it worked perfectly! Thank you so much for saving me having to purchase a whole new closet full of towels.
Andrea says
yay — this is a huge success! Thanks so much for sharing, Ellen!
Nicole says
I have found this to be very effective with the smell but now my towels are quite rough/crunchy feeling. Any tips for a way to soften the fibers without using fabric softener or a dryer sheet? Especially when drying them outside helps even more I think than the dryer on the smell. Either way, love this post!
Andrea says
Hi Nicole, Yes, line drying towels will give them the crunchy feeling. If you simply dry them in the dryer (Without a dryer sheet) they should soften up. This is what I always do and our towels are super soft!
MomofTwoPreciousGirls says
My front load washing machine specifically states to never use vinegar in the machine so we can’t use this method. It can wear away the hoses and void the warranty. We have done super hot soak in the tub with borax and then wash them in the machine with no detergent if they get stinky or that gray tinge. Our detergent is actually a natural detergent that has baking soda as one of the ingredients.
Andrea says
glad you know this about your machine! Ours says vinegar is OK, but our machine is for sure 11 years old (maybe older!)
JoDi says
Woohoo! Dates are back! Thanks!
After reading this post and all the comments, I feel like I need to boil, borax, and give the vinegar and baking soda treatment to everything I can get in the washing machine! LOL I usually put a scoop of baking soda in the wash and use vinegar in the rinse cycle, but I have to try running them in separate cycles and see if it works even better!
Andrea says
haha I know! I’m planning to boil some of our washcloths this week too!
Beth says
I also boil dishcloths, washcloths, and occasionally towels. The water is gross but the clean stuff smells…clean!! Simple and Frugal!!
Andrea says
yes, so simple and frugal — love it!
ALLISON says
I only use half the detergent called for and always put 1/2 cup baking soda in the wash with my towels. I also always use vinegar as a fabric softener in the rinse cycle. Never had a problem with smelly towels thank God.
Andrea says
sounds like a great system! Thanks for sharing 🙂
Kathy Sisler says
When my kids were teenagers, (20 years ago) stinky towels were a chronic problem. I ditched the fabric softener and dryer sheets and started putting 1/4 cup of white vinegar in the fabric softener dispenser. Problem solved, and I haven’t used any fabric softener since. I only use half the recommended amount of detergent, and don’t have a problem with things getting clean. I like the idea of laundry balls, and plan to give that a try.
Thanks for all of your great tips!
Andrea says
yes, I’ve always read NEVER to use fabric softener or dryer sheets with towels. Not only does it affect how absorbant the towels are, but it can also create a buildup of residue that bacteria love (and that’s where the smell comes from!)
Bonnie'sMama says
I boil my dish rags and wash cloths (separately) occasionally. Put them in a pot of water on the stove and boil them a couple minutes. The water ends up shockingly gross, even though I usually boil them after they’ve been through the washer. I wash them in the washer like normal afterwards, and they smell so much better.
Andrea says
wow — I totally want to try this now 🙂
Margaret says
I have NEVER had stinky towels, and the preventative uses only 2 of these steps. I make sure the towels and washcloths are bone dry before they go in the hamper, and I never, ever, use fabric softener or dryer sheets.
I wash in cold water, using Shaklee unscented laundry powder–it’s about the only one I’m not allergic to–and line dry outside when the weather allows. If it doesn’t they get cooked in a hot dryer. I have hard water, and no water softener.
Sometimes in the summer when it’s very humid I will sun a towel mid-week. Otherwise I change the hand and bath towel on Friday and the washcloth after my shower in the morning. I spread everything out on towel bars rather than hooks. The heat vent is right under the towel bar, so there’s no issue in the wintertime.
This will not, as I said, remove the existing stink, but it will prevent it.
Andrea says
I think the “make sure the towels are on dry before they go in the hamper” is key here!
Pat Rubingh says
Another way in which we’re alike, Andrea (i.e. leading singing with children in church, love of singing…) – I could have written your first three paragraphs about myself and smells. 😉
Thanks for sharing these laundry tips as well as all your many other helpful ideas.
Andrea says
you’re welcome for the tips — I definitely can not handle stinky towels!!!
Ashley says
My “tip 11” if all else fails would be to add a water softener to the load (borax, calgon). From years of using cloth diapers, this build up is often a result of (even mildly) hard water which makes it harder for the fibers to release the detergent. I have pretty hard water so I add 1 cap of calgon or 1/2 cup borax to my diaper loads. I’ve never had a problem with my towels though, so the 10 tips (especially #7!) are solid!
Andrea says
oh sweet — thanks for adding a #11. This is helpful!
We don’t have hard water so I don’t think of this!
Kathy says
I knit my dishcloths and they also get stinky. I have an old ice cream bucket that I put a large scoop of baking soda and a big glug of vinegar in. I add enough water to keep smelly dishrags covered until I dump the whole bucketful in my washer. Was interested to see I have been doing it the right way! I enjoy your posts!
Andrea says
This is awesome — I love that you have such a great routine down! Thanks for sharing what works for you (it’s very helpful because many others read the comments too)
Of course, my method isn’t necessarily the ONLY “right way”, but it has worked well for me 🙂
Chris says
I did something similar to this a few years ago. I’m glad to find out it is hard on the clothing because I more recently just watched something about stripping clothing and thought it would be good to do. Now, I’m having second thoughts.
Andrea says
yes, this definitely isn’t something you want to do every week — BUT I do think there’s value in doing it occasionally. So if you haven’t done it in a few years, you’re probably OK to do it again!
Alicia says
This is crazy because I literally JUST stripped a bunch of our laundry this weekend! The method I found is different , and definitely not all natural, but it was so effective ! The end result was fascinating and gross! I added 1/4 cup borax, 1/4 cup Arm and Hammer laundry wash , and 1 scoop of powder tide detergent. Let it soak in a bathtub or washing machine for 4-6 hours, stirring every hour. By the end, the water is seriously brown it’s so dirty! It’s so gross and oddly satisfying! Then wash the laundry in hot water only, and dry like normal. I did ALL my towels, my white sheets (which were clean, looked white, and STILL came out with super dirty water!) and exercise clothes. Everything smells amazing and looks almost new now. Its awesome!
Andrea says
That’s awesome — I’ve been wanting to do this with our white bedroom sheets, but I just haven’t gotten around to it yet — it will be another blog post when I do!
Do you use hot or cold water? I feel like it would eventually get cold by the end… right?
Jen says
Are you using any products in step 5?
Andrea says
Hi Jen,
I just updated the post to make it more clear. Thanks for the heads-up!
Step 5 should have been grouped with step 5 (leave items in the washer, add 1/2 c. baking soda… and then wash again in hot water).
Hopefully that makes more sense now 🙂
Jen says
Thanks!
Bridget says
This was always an issue with cloth diapers and I had to “strip” them every so often!
Andrea says
yes — this is somewhat of the same process (I even read that it can be used on cloth diapers!)
JJ says
The quality content on your blog from what you research and problem-solve to provide solutions is so helpful–thank you!!!
Andrea says
Thanks so much 🙂
LoriB says
Well now I know why I don’t struggle with stinky towels. Towels and sheets are my hot water laundry loads.
So nice to see dates again. Thanks so much for that change. It feels like all (well almost all) is right with the world again.
Andrea says
you’re right — washing in HOT water (and drying FULLY) are the 2 best ways to prevent stinky/smelly towels!