How to Get Rid of Musty Smell in Towels for Good

Why Towels Smell Musty in the First Place

Understanding the cause of musty towels makes it much easier to fix the problem and keep it from returning.

Common Causes of Musty Towel Odors

• Leaving towels damp too long: Towels tossed in a hamper or left bunched on the floor stay wet and allow odor-causing buildup to grow.
• Not drying fully: Towels that never get completely dry between uses can develop a stubborn musty smell.
• Too much detergent or softener: Extra soap and liquid softener can leave residue that traps odors instead of removing them.
• Overloaded washer: A packed washer prevents towels from getting fully rinsed and spun out.
• Low washing temperatures: Always washing on cold can allow buildup to accumulate over time.
• Humid bathroom or laundry room: High humidity slows drying and encourages musty smells.

Most musty towel problems come from a combination of moisture, residue, and not enough air circulation. The steps below address all three.

How to Strip Musty Smell from Towels: Step-by-Step

To truly get rid of a musty smell in towels, you need to remove the buildup that is causing the odor. This process uses common pantry ingredients and hot water to reset your towels.

Step 1: Sort and Inspect Your Towels

• Gather all towels that smell musty or sour, including bath towels, hand towels, and washcloths.
• Check care labels for washing temperature limits and drying instructions.
• Separate light and dark colors to avoid color transfer during hot washes.
• Inspect for fraying or damage; very worn towels may never smell fully fresh again and might be better used as cleaning rags.

Step 2: First Wash Cycle with Hot Water and White Vinegar

This first cycle helps dissolve residue and neutralize odors.

• Place towels in the washer. Do not overload; the drum should be no more than about two-thirds full.
• Set the machine to the hottest water temperature that is safe for your towels according to the care label.
• Do not add detergent or fabric softener.
• Add 1 to 2 cups of plain white distilled vinegar directly to the drum or to the fabric softener compartment.
• Run a full wash cycle, including rinse and spin.

Vinegar helps break down detergent residue and neutralize stubborn odors without leaving a strong scent once the towels are fully dry.

Step 3: Second Wash Cycle with Hot Water and Baking Soda

This second cycle helps lift remaining smells and freshen the fibers.

• Leave the same towels in the washer.
• Keep the setting on the hottest safe water temperature.
• Sprinkle about 1/2 cup of baking soda directly into the drum.
• Do not add detergent or fabric softener.
• Run another full wash cycle, including rinse and spin.

Baking soda is a gentle deodorizer that helps neutralize lingering musty smells without coating the fabric.

Step 4: Dry Towels Completely

Fully drying the towels after these cleaning cycles is crucial. Any leftover moisture can bring the musty smell right back.

• Transfer towels immediately from the washer to the dryer.
• Shake each towel out before placing it in the dryer to help air circulate.
• Dry on medium to high heat, depending on the care label.
• Pause the cycle once or twice to untangle towels so they dry evenly.
• Make sure towels are completely dry before removing them. They should feel fully dry and warm, with no cool or damp spots.

If you prefer to air-dry, hang towels outdoors in direct sunlight if possible. Sunlight helps freshen and naturally deodorize fabrics. Ensure towels are thoroughly dry before folding or storing.

Step 5: Repeat if Necessary

For very stubborn odors that have built up over a long time, you may need to repeat the vinegar and baking soda process once more.

• If towels still smell musty after drying, run another hot wash with 1 cup of white vinegar only.
• Follow with a regular wash using a small amount of detergent (no softener), then dry completely again.

Once the musty smell is gone, you can move to a regular maintenance routine to keep towels fresh.

Everyday Washing Habits to Keep Towels Fresh

After you have restored your towels, consistent washing habits will help prevent musty smells from returning.

Use the Right Amount of Detergent

It is easy to assume more detergent means cleaner towels, but the opposite is often true.

• Follow the measuring instructions on your detergent, but use the lower end of the recommended amount for towels.
• If you have a high-efficiency washer, be sure to use a detergent designed for that type of machine.
• Watch for signs of residue, such as towels feeling stiff, scratchy, or less absorbent. If you notice this, cut back on detergent.

Avoid Fabric Softeners on Towels

Liquid softeners and many dryer sheets can coat towel fibers, trapping odors and reducing absorbency.

• Skip liquid softener in the wash when cleaning towels.
• If you like softer towels, you can occasionally add a half cup of white vinegar to the rinse cycle instead of softener.
• Use dryer balls if you want to reduce static and help towels dry more evenly.

Choose the Right Wash Settings

Water temperature and cycle choice make a big difference.

• Wash towels in warm or hot water when the care label allows. This helps break down body oils and residue.
• Use a regular or heavy-duty cycle rather than a quick wash for heavily used bath towels.
• Use an extra rinse if your washer has that option, especially if you notice any soapy feel after washing.

How to Dry Towels to Prevent Musty Smells

Even perfectly washed towels can start to smell if they do not dry properly. Drying is just as important as washing when it comes to odor control.

Best Practices for Machine Drying

• Clean the lint trap before every load to improve air flow.
• Do not overload the dryer; towels need room to tumble freely.
• Use medium or medium-high heat, following the care label.
• Allow the cycle to finish completely; avoid pulling towels out while still slightly damp.
• If your dryer has a sensor setting, use it and confirm towels are fully dry at the end.

Air-Drying Towels the Right Way

If you air-dry towels, focus on air flow and sunlight when possible.

• Hang towels so they are fully open, not folded over several times.
• Leave space between towels on the line or rack for air to circulate.
• Place the drying rack in a well-ventilated area or near a fan.
• Use outdoor sunlight when you can; it helps naturally freshen and deodorize.
• Make sure towels are completely dry before folding and putting away.

Daily Habits That Stop Musty Towels Before They Start

Small daily changes in how you use and store towels can make a big difference in how they smell.

After Each Shower or Use

• Hang towels immediately after use instead of leaving them in a pile.
• Spread the towel out fully on a bar or hook so air can reach as much surface as possible.
• Open the bathroom door or window after showers to reduce humidity.
• Run the bathroom fan for at least 15 to 20 minutes to help towels dry faster.

How Often to Wash Towels

Regular washing keeps odors from building up in the first place.

• Wash bath towels every three to four uses.
• Wash hand towels and washcloths more often, about every one to three days.
• Wash gym or pool towels after each use, especially if they sit damp in a bag.

Smart Towel Storage

Where and how you store towels matters.

• Store clean towels in a dry, well-ventilated closet or cabinet.
• Avoid packing them tightly on shelves; leave a little space for air.
• Do not store towels in a damp basement or near a humid laundry area.
• If a bathroom tends to stay humid, keep extra clean towels in a hallway linen closet instead.

Fixing Musty Smells in Specific Towel Situations

Sometimes the musty smell shows up in particular situations, like after workouts or in guest bathrooms. Here is how to handle those cases.

Smelly Gym or Beach Towels

• Do not leave damp towels rolled up in a gym bag or trunk.
• Hang them to dry as soon as you get home, even if you will wash them later.
• Wash gym and beach towels on hot when possible, with a full wash cycle.
• If they already smell musty, use the vinegar and baking soda method before returning to regular washing.

Musty Guest Towels That Sit Unused

• Towels stored for a long time can absorb moisture and odors from the air.
• Wash and fully dry guest towels every few months, even if they were not used.
• Place a small open container of baking soda on a shelf in the linen closet to help absorb moisture.
• Make sure the closet is dry and not against a damp exterior wall, if possible.

When the Washer or Dryer Is the Problem

Sometimes towels smell musty because the washer or dryer itself needs attention.

• If towels smell musty right after washing, clean the washer drum and gasket according to the manual.
• Run an empty hot cycle with white vinegar or a washer-cleaning product to remove buildup.
• Leave the washer door or lid open between loads to let it dry out.
• Check the dryer vent and duct for lint buildup that could reduce drying efficiency.

When to Replace Towels

Even with great care, towels do not last forever. Over time, fibers break down and may hold onto odors more easily.

Consider replacing towels when you notice:

• Persistent musty smell that returns quickly after washing and drying correctly
• Thin, worn spots or fraying edges
• Rough, scratchy texture that does not improve with proper washing
• Significantly reduced absorbency

Retire old bath towels to the cleaning supply bin for tasks like washing floors, cars, or outdoor furniture. Then start fresh with new towels and maintain them using the habits in this guide so they stay odor-free much longer.

Quick Reference: How to Get Rid of Musty Smell in Towels

Use this simple checklist whenever you notice your towels starting to smell off.

Rescue Routine

1. Wash towels in hot water with 1 to 2 cups of white vinegar, no detergent.
2. Wash again in hot water with 1/2 cup of baking soda, no detergent.
3. Dry completely on medium to high heat or in full sun.
4. Repeat once if odors are very stubborn.

Prevention Routine

• Hang towels fully open after each use and ventilate the bathroom.
• Wash bath towels every three to four uses in warm or hot water.
• Use less detergent and skip liquid fabric softener.
• Dry towels completely before folding or storing.
• Keep storage areas dry and not overly packed.

With these simple steps, you can get rid of musty smell in towels and enjoy soft, fresh, and clean linens every day.