How to Get Mildew Smell Out of Towels and Keep Them Fresh

Have you ever pulled a towel out of the dryer expecting it to smell clean, only to notice a sour, musty odor? The problem often comes from trapped moisture, detergent residue, or odor-causing microorganisms that remain in the towel fibers or washing machine.

The good news is that you can usually remove the smell with a thorough wash, the right amount of detergent, and complete drying. If the odor persists, you may need to clean your washing machine or use a fabric-safe laundry additive.

This guide explains how to get mildew smell out of towels, why towels develop musty odors, and which laundry habits help keep them fresh between washes.

Quick Answer: How to Get Mildew Smell Out of Towels

To remove mildew smell from towels, wash them separately using the hottest water temperature allowed by their care labels and an appropriate amount of laundry detergent. If the odor persists, try a fabric-compatible odor-removal treatment, such as an oxygen-based laundry product, following its label directions. Dry the towels completely before storing them.

For the best results:

1. Separate the smelly towels from other laundry.

2. Check the care labels for washing and drying instructions.

3. Wash with detergent without overloading the washer.

4. Use a suitable odor-removal product if necessary.

5. Dry the towels thoroughly in a dryer or a well-ventilated area.

6. Clean the washing machine if freshly washed towels continue to smell.

Important: Never mix vinegar with chlorine bleach or other cleaning products unless their labels explicitly confirm that doing so is safe. The safest approach is to use one treatment at a time and follow the product instructions.

Why Do Towels Smell Musty?

Towels absorb water, sweat, body oils, and residue from soaps and personal care products. When they remain damp for too long, these materials can contribute to unpleasant odors.

Understanding the cause helps you choose the right solution instead of repeatedly washing the same towel without fixing the problem.

1. Towels Stay Wet for Too Long

This is one of the most common reasons towels develop a musty smell.

A towel left in a damp bathroom, bunched up on a hook, or sitting in a laundry hamper may not dry properly. The lingering moisture creates conditions that encourage odor-causing microorganisms to grow.

What to do: Spread the towel out after every use so air can circulate through the fabric. Avoid placing damp towels in a closed hamper.

2. Towels Sit in the Washing Machine

Leaving wet towels in the washer after a cycle ends can cause them to develop a sour or mildew-like odor.

Even if the towels were washed correctly, remaining moisture and warmth can allow unpleasant smells to develop.

What to do: Transfer towels to the dryer or drying rack promptly after the wash cycle finishes. If they already smell musty, wash them again before drying.

3. Too Much Detergent Leaves Residue

Using more detergent than necessary does not automatically make towels cleaner. Excess product can remain in thick towel fibers, particularly when the washer is overloaded or the rinse cycle is inadequate.

Residue can trap body oils and other materials that contribute to unpleasant smells.

What to do: Measure detergent according to the product directions and your washer's load size. Avoid adding extra detergent simply because the towels smell bad.

4. Fabric Softener Reduces Absorbency

Liquid fabric softeners and some dryer sheets can leave a coating on towel fibers. Over time, that buildup may reduce absorbency and contribute to a less-fresh smell.

What to do: Reduce or skip fabric softener when washing towels, especially if they feel waxy, stiff, or less absorbent than usual.

5. The Washing Machine Needs Cleaning

A washer can develop residue and odors in its drum, detergent dispenser, drain area, or rubber door gasket. These smells can transfer to clean laundry.

Front-loading machines may be particularly prone to odor issues when moisture remains around the door seal.

What to do: Run the manufacturer's recommended washer-cleaning cycle and clean removable parts according to the owner's manual.

6. Towels Are Stored Before They Are Completely Dry

A towel may feel dry on the outside while retaining moisture in thicker sections or folded layers. Storing it in a closed cabinet too soon can allow a musty odor to return.

What to do: Check the center, edges, and thicker seams before folding towels. Make sure they are completely dry and store them in a clean, ventilated space.

How to Wash Smelly Towels: Step-by-Step Instructions

If you want to know how to wash smelly towels without damaging the fabric, start with a regular wash and adjust your approach based on the results.

Step 1: Separate the Towels

Wash the affected towels separately from delicate clothing and items that require different washing conditions.

Avoid cramming too many towels into the washer. Thick cotton towels need enough room for water and detergent to circulate through the fabric.

For a heavily loaded machine, divide the towels into smaller loads.

Step 2: Check the Care Labels

Read the towel labels before selecting a wash temperature.

Cotton towels may tolerate warmer water, while microfiber towels, decorative towels, and certain blended fabrics may require cooler settings.

Choose the hottest temperature recommended for the specific fabric rather than automatically using the hottest setting available.

Step 3: Wash With the Correct Amount of Detergent

Add a suitable laundry detergent according to the package instructions and your machine's requirements.

Use a normal or appropriate heavy-duty cycle, depending on the washer and towel care instructions. Avoid unnecessary extra detergent, and select an additional rinse if residue is a recurring problem and your machine supports it.

After washing, check whether the musty odor has disappeared.

Step 4: Try an Odor-Removal Treatment if Needed

If the towels still smell musty after a proper wash, consider an additional treatment.

Option A: Oxygen-based laundry additive

An oxygen-based laundry product may help remove persistent odors and organic residue. Check whether it is suitable for your towel color and fabric, then follow the label's instructions for soaking or washing.

Option B: White vinegar

Some laundry guides recommend distilled white vinegar as a separate odor-removal treatment. However, vinegar is not suitable for every fabric or washing machine, and appliance manufacturers may advise against adding it directly to the washer.

If you choose to use vinegar, check the washer manufacturer's guidance and the towel care labels first. Never combine vinegar with chlorine bleach.

Option C: A laundry detergent designed for odors

A detergent formulated to address persistent laundry odors may be a convenient alternative. Use the recommended quantity and follow the product instructions.

Do not combine several treatments in one wash unless the manufacturers explicitly confirm that they are compatible.

Step 5: Dry the Towels Completely

Drying is essential to successful musty towel smell removal.

Move the towels to the dryer promptly after washing, using the temperature recommended on their care labels. Avoid overloading the dryer, as crowded towels may take longer to dry evenly.

If you prefer air-drying, hang the towels fully open in a well-ventilated area. Outdoor drying can also help when weather conditions allow.

Before folding, check that the thickest sections are completely dry.

Step 6: Check the Results Before Storing

Once the towels are dry, smell them before placing them in a cabinet or linen closet.

If the musty odor remains, do not cover it with fragrance sprays or store the towels with fresh laundry. Repeat an appropriate cleaning treatment and investigate whether the washing machine is contributing to the problem.

Does Vinegar or Baking Soda Remove Mildew Smell From Towels?

Both products are popular home laundry remedies, but they are not interchangeable, and neither is guaranteed to solve every odor problem.

Should You Use Vinegar and Baking Soda Together?

It is generally more practical to use a compatible product according to its directions rather than combining household ingredients indiscriminately. Vinegar and baking soda react with each other, reducing the effectiveness of their individual properties.

If you try one treatment and the smell remains, rinse or wash as directed before trying another compatible treatment.

Never mix chlorine bleach with vinegar, ammonia, or other incompatible cleaners. Dangerous gases or reactions may result.

How to Make Towels Smell Fresh for Longer

Removing an existing smell is only half the job. Consistent towel care helps prevent the odor from returning.

Hang Towels So They Can Dry

After showering, spread your towel across a towel bar or another suitable drying rack. Avoid leaving it folded over a small hook where the inner layers remain damp.

If several people share a bathroom, make sure each towel has enough space to dry.

Wash Towels After Three to Four Uses

For most bath towels, washing after about three to four uses is a reasonable starting point, provided the towel dries completely between uses.

Wash towels sooner if they develop an odor, remain damp, become visibly dirty, or are used during strenuous activity.

For college students managing shared bathrooms or dorm laundry, a regular weekly laundry routine can make towel care easier.

Do Not Leave Towels in a Closed Hamper While Wet

A closed laundry basket can trap moisture and odor, especially in a humid room.

Let wet towels dry before placing them in the hamper when practical. If a towel has become musty, wash it rather than leaving it in the basket until laundry day.

Avoid Excessive Detergent and Softener

Use the recommended detergent amount and avoid repeatedly adding softener to compensate for rough towels.

If towels feel coated or have lost absorbency, review your detergent use and consider a suitable residue-removal wash.

Clean Your Washer Regularly

Follow your washing machine manufacturer's instructions for cleaning the drum, gasket, detergent dispenser, and other accessible parts.

Leave the door or lid open between loads when the manufacturer recommends it and the area is safe. This allows the interior to dry and can help reduce lingering odors.

Store Towels in a Dry, Ventilated Space

Keep clean towels away from damp bathroom floors, leaking pipes, and poorly ventilated storage areas.

Do not place freshly washed towels in a closet until they are fully dry. If the closet itself smells musty, address the moisture or ventilation problem before storing linens there.

Why Do My Towels Smell Musty Even After Washing?

If towels smell bad immediately after washing or shortly after coming out of the dryer, the problem may not be the towels alone.

Use the following table to identify the likely cause and next step.

What If the Smell Returns After Drying?

If the odor comes back as soon as the towel becomes damp, a normal wash may not have removed all the odor-causing residue.

Try the following:

1. Rewash the towel using the appropriate water temperature and detergent.

2. Use a compatible odor-removal additive if necessary.

3. Clean the washing machine, especially accessible seals and dispensers.

4. Dry the towel completely before storing it.

5. Replace the towel if it remains persistently odorous, damaged, or visibly contaminated despite appropriate cleaning.

If you see substantial mold growth or the towel has been contaminated by sewage or another hazardous substance, ordinary laundry treatment may not be sufficient. Follow appropriate safety guidance and consider discarding the item.

Common Mistakes to Avoid When Removing Musty Towel Smells

Small laundry habits can make a difference in how well towels clean and dry.

Avoid these common mistakes:

• Adding more detergent than necessary: Excess product can leave residue instead of improving cleaning.

• Overloading the washer: Towels need room for effective washing and rinsing.

• Using fabric softener for every load: Buildup may reduce towel absorbency.

• Leaving damp towels in the washer: Transfer laundry promptly when the cycle ends.

• Drying towels only partially: Remaining moisture can allow odors to return.

• Masking odors with fragrance: A stronger scent does not mean the underlying problem has been removed.

• Mixing cleaning products: Vinegar, chlorine bleach, ammonia, and other incompatible products can create dangerous reactions.

• Ignoring the washing machine: Persistent odor may come from the appliance rather than the towel.

When Should You Replace a Smelly Towel?

Most towels with ordinary musty odors are worth washing again before you consider replacing them.

However, replacement may be sensible when a towel has persistent odors that return immediately after proper washing, has deteriorated fibers, remains poorly absorbent, or shows contamination that cannot be safely removed.

Visible mold, extensive staining, and prolonged exposure to contaminated water also warrant closer attention.

If you are unsure whether a towel can be cleaned safely, follow the care instructions and relevant contamination guidance rather than repeatedly treating it with increasingly strong chemicals.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you get mildew smell out of towels quickly?

Wash the towels with an appropriate amount of detergent at the hottest temperature permitted by their care labels. If the smell persists, use a compatible odor-removal treatment and dry them completely before storing them.

Why do my towels smell musty even when they are clean?

Towels can retain odor-causing residue, and washing machines can transfer unpleasant smells to clean laundry. Damp towels that dry slowly may also develop musty odors. Check your detergent quantity, washer cleanliness, and drying routine.

Does white vinegar remove mildew smell from towels?

White vinegar is a commonly suggested laundry remedy that may help with certain odors and residue. However, its suitability depends on the fabric and washing machine. Check the manufacturer's guidance, and never mix vinegar with chlorine bleach.

Does baking soda help with musty towel smells?

Baking soda may help with some laundry odors, but it is not a guaranteed solution for persistent mildew smells. Proper washing, appropriate detergent use, and complete drying remain important.

Should I wash smelly towels in hot or cold water?

Use the hottest water temperature recommended on the towel's care label. Some towels tolerate hot water, while others require cooler settings to protect their fibers, colors, or construction.

Can fabric softener make towels smell bad?

Fabric softener can leave residue on towel fibers, which may affect absorbency and contribute to buildup. Reducing or skipping it may help if towels feel coated or do not rinse cleanly.

How often should I wash bath towels?

Most bath towels can be washed after three to four uses if they dry completely between uses. Wash them sooner if they smell musty, remain damp, or become visibly dirty.

Why do towels smell bad after coming out of the dryer?

Possible causes include residue left in the fabric, a musty washing machine, an overloaded washer or dryer, or incomplete drying. Rewash the towels if necessary and make sure the machine and storage area are clean.

Can I put musty towels in the dryer without rewashing them?

If the towel already smells musty, drying it alone may not remove the underlying cause. Rewash it first and dry it thoroughly. Heat should not be used as a substitute for cleaning, especially when visible mold or hazardous contamination is present.

How can college students keep dorm towels fresh?

Hang towels fully open after each shower, wash them regularly, avoid leaving damp towels in closed hampers, and keep clean towels dry. A consistent weekly laundry routine can help students avoid unpleasant odors and last-minute laundry loads.

Keep Your Towels Fresh With Better Laundry Habits

The most effective way to remove a musty towel smell is to clean the fabric properly, address any detergent or washer residue, and make sure the towel dries completely. If the odor returns, investigate the washing machine and storage conditions instead of repeatedly masking the smell.

For busy students, families, and Charleston residents, maintaining fresh towels can be easier with a consistent laundry routine.

College Laundry offers convenient wash and fold laundry services for people who want help keeping everyday laundry clean and manageable. If laundry keeps piling up between classes, work, and other responsibilities, explore our laundry service options to find a routine that works for you.