moldy-smelling towels

[craftypam]

I have found that when I use surf detergent; that doesn't happen. I rarely have to rewash them and they do not smell after sitting in the washing machine.

[shubh]

Before you start washing the towels, it is good to have them soak in hot water for about 10 minutes with up to 2 tbs. of baking soda added to the water. Once the 10 minutes are up, drain the water from the soak and start the load with hot water. Add a normal amount of detergent to the wash and let it run normally until the rinse cycle. Put the towels in the dryer for about 30 minutes or until they are halfway dry. Hang your towels out to finish drying on a wooden rack or clothesline. This process should take only 3 to 4 hours as the towels should be no more than damp when you retrieve them from the dryer. The fresh air will help to completely erase any extra traces of sour scent from your towels.

[Mrs K]

I also had that problem. It seemed after a certain time my towels would smell moldy when wet. The smell would fade as the towel dried but still.. yuk!
I periodically do the vinegar method (as previously described) and it works wonders. I do it every two months or so and my towels have not developped the foul smell again.
No vinegary smell, the rinse cycle will get rid of everything.
I also use vinegar in the rinse cycle in place of fabric softener. It softens and rids of soap residue but without the harsh industrial strenght perfume!

[bumplett]

don't feel too bad, we've all forgotten our laundry every now & then -

[imagine]

I have forgotten towels to and had the same thing happen.

I just washed them in the super hot water. On our machine it is called Sanitizing cycle. It heats that water to 140 degrees.

If you don't have this cycle you can turn up your water heater temporarily to the very hot (unsafe for kids level because it is over 120 degrees so be very careful cause you or the kids could get burned if you used hot water from any faucet during this time or touched the water coming into the in the washer) Turing up your water heater would put hotter water into your wash. Like I said just be careful if you turn up your water heater and remember to turn it back down when you are finished.

[conniefay]

Thanks to me forgetting some towels in the washer for 2 days, they smell mildewy after several washes. It is nauseating (then again I am pregnant...) I know using fabric softener coats the towels and they will not be as absorbent, so obviously that is not an option. Any other ideas? I was going to try vinegar in the rinse but I don't want them to smell like vinegar. Thanks!

LAVENDER. put about 1/4 cup lavender oil deluted wth some other smell goods you like. tangerine oil works too. and as a plus, lavender oil and tangerine oil also make stretch marks stop itching!

[IntlMom]

don't be afraid of fabric softener - when I dry them in the dryer, I use the sheets all the time. Absorbancy has never been an issue for me.

[Michelle]

don't be afraid of fabric softener - when I dry them in the dryer, I use the sheets all the time. Absorbancy has never been an issue for me.

Me either...I was wondering if I was the only one.

[michael b]

Try washing them in vinegar at the start of the cycle along with your regular soap. I do this and it really works. They won't smell of vinegar. I use 1 cup of vinegar with my commercial size washer.

Also, when I do use vinegar in the rinse cycle as a fabric softener, they have never smelled of vinegar.

Actually, try WHITE vinegar and be liberal with it. I would shoot for 3 cups or more.

[mndtrp]

I can only smell the vinegar immediately after the wash, and I imagine that's just the little bit left in the dispenser. There definitely is no smell after going through the dryer.