help! my bath towels smell soured!

**Hannahs mom** · 01-23-2008, 08:10 AM

Is there any help for them? I vaguely remember something I've read about vinegar and water . . . any suggestions? We only use them once and then put them in the laundry basket. Even after they are washed and dried they stink!!!

Does anyone else ever have this problem?

**Holly** · 01-23-2008, 08:40 AM

I put a tablespoon of baking soda in with the clothes. it seems to work very well.
My DS works in the sewers and it cuts th esewer smell from his work clothes
Vineagar is good for the rinse cycle.

**Laurie in Bradenton** · 01-23-2008, 08:53 AM

I have this problem in the summer because we don't use the air and the house gets warm. So I use hot water (white towels) a cup of baking soda and some bleach . They come out smelling clean and bright.

Laurie in Bradenton

**mommy4ever** · 01-23-2008, 10:14 AM

Hang them to dry before putting them in the laundry basket, sitting damp in that basket will bring on souring.

We use our towels more than once as long as they are hung they are fresh for 3 or 4 uses. Then I wash them again.

**shortcake** · 01-23-2008, 10:44 AM

I would wash them once in hot water with baking soda. I don't measure just dump it in and add soap. Once the washer is filled up with water add the towel and turn the washer off for a couple of hours so they get a good soak. Turn the washer back on and proceed as usual. They should be ok after this. I do it often with our face clothes. If they go in the hamper wet they will stay stinky if I don't do this.

**[email protected]** · 01-23-2008, 10:51 AM

We use our towels more than once as long as they are hung they are fresh for 3 or 4 uses. Then I wash them again.

We do the same. ;-)

**Samigirl** · 01-23-2008, 10:54 AM

I do the same thing, only with vinegar.

**ginger21** · 01-23-2008, 11:33 AM

i do the same too! it's has good results!

**Hannahs mom** · 01-23-2008, 12:40 PM

Thanks - I'll try your ideas tonight!

**qtkitty** · 01-23-2008, 04:32 PM

If i have funky smelling towels i put a little borax in the wash and wash them on hot/cold.. it has worked every time for me to get the Phew smell out no matter how bad its been.

**Jamauk** · 01-23-2008, 04:40 PM

Also, you didn't mention anything else smelling, but I read once that if you begin to notice all of your laundry with an "off smell" sometimes it actually comes from your washer! Especially if you don't have a stainless steel drum.

About once a month, I run the wash machine empty on hot and I put about 1-2 cups of bleach in it. It keeps my wash machine fresh (and therefore, my laundry, fresh).

HTH.

**MirandaK** · 01-23-2008, 05:22 PM

One of my cats has taken to peeing on the bathmat, or anything near the bathmat like towels. Fortunately, I had just started putting baking soda in my was a week earlier (thanks FV!!!). I have just been doing the same thing and no icky cat pee smell.

I put my laundry soap in the measuring cup then I put in enough baking soda to cover the top of the liquid soap. (does that make sense?) Anyway, stuff comes out smelling clean.

**qtkitty** · 01-23-2008, 05:38 PM

MirandaK~ i used to have a cat that did that too !! what is it about bath mats and cats peeing on them??

**julieb** · 01-23-2008, 06:14 PM

We also use our towels more than once and use vinegar with our regular soap to wash. They have always come out fresh smelling.

**Libby** · 01-23-2008, 06:52 PM

I add 2 cups of white vinegar to the wash water BEFORE I add soap and towels. Let it swish around for 5 mins, turn off let sit for 30 mins (how long is up to you) and then continue washing. I also use the Downey ball full of vinegar...its great for deodorizing towels/sheets.

I use my towels 3-4 times/wk as well before putting into the washer and always make sure they're bone dry before tossing them in the basket waiting to be washed. Dont need a mould factory there!