How to Stop Bath Towels From Smelling
Bath towels start to smell when water remains in the fibers for long periods of time, which facilitates mold and bacteria growth. Over time, the mold (called mildew when on fabrics) grows and flourishes in the moist towel. In addition to its bad smell, mildew can also cause skin irritations. By taking a few simple steps, you can stop your towels from smelling like mildew for as long as possible until it is time to wash them. Does this Spark an idea?
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Instructions
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Hang the towel to dry in front of an open window after each use. If possible, install a towel hanger on the wall above your bathroom window. It can be a simple double-hook knob hanger (see "Resources" for an example). You can also just set a fan in the bathroom to blow air over the towel in between uses.
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Hang the towels in your bedroom instead of in the bathroom in between uses. The towels absorb and retain more moisture when they are in the bathroom while other people are showering. Don't toss the towel into a chair. Be sure to hang the towel up to dry near a window.
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Spritz your towel with an odor-neutralizing spray after each use. Odor neutralizers absorb into the fibers of the towel and kill the odor-causing bacteria.
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Place a mixture of three parts water, one part distilled white vinegar in a spray bottle. Lightly spray the towel with the solution every two to three days. After a few hours, the vinegar smell will go away and kill the mildew smell in the process.
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Tips & Warnings
If your towels smell strongly of mildew, you have to wash them with vinegar to get rid of the smell. Fill the washing machine with hot water, then add two cups of vinegar (no detergent) to the water. Run the load through a short cycle. Re-wash the towels once more with regular detergent (preferably one that contains an odor-neutralizing agent).
Consider running a dehumidifier in the bathroom when not in use to help remove the moisture from the towels more quickly.
