Towels

stef240377

Hi, can anyone help? I have searched through previous threads but nothing quite compares to what im going to say.

In the past few weeks i have noticed any towels i wash are not coming out smelling clean, everything else in the load is fine though. I mentioned this to MIL and she said she is having same problems. I have totally cleaned out washing machine, used OS washing products i.e soda crystals and vinegar and the smells still there. Again this morning gave everything that came out the machine the sniff test as OH was worried it would all smell of vinegar and the only thing to honk again is the towel.

It is not as though they are old towels as they were all bought new when we redecorated, they have not been allowed to fester in the bottom of the basket as we empty it daily and none have ben found stashed under the kids beds.

MIL is seeing it as an excuse to get FIL to buy her some more but im loath to do that as i have only had them since June?

The omly difference in drying techniques are that MIL has a drier to bung them into if weather is not ok where as we put them on the airer by heating, again with mine everything else dries ok and doesnt smell including my super king size bedding which is put on folded up so as to fit.

Im starting to despair, so any ideas will be greatfully received and tried out.

Quasar

This is where bleach is invaluable. I have had the same problem when there was some mould in my bathroom and everything started to smell accordingly.

I add a few drops of bleach if concentrated, or half a tablespoon if it's not, to the last rinse (but I admit I handwash when I do that) and swish the towels or garments in the water for about 1 minute. Even vivid colours can be treated like that because the bleach is very diluted but takes away all smell.

Alternatively you can add a bit of bicarbonate of soda, depending on the quantity you are rinsing. I still prefer bleach though for this sort of job.

I imagine that a few drops of bleach added to the last rinse in thw WM would do just as well.

frugallass

are you using white (clear) vinegar? I had the same problem recently, only the towels had that 'foisty' smell (like a dishcloth that's been left)

I washed the towels as normal but instead of fabric conditioner in the drawer I filled it with white vinegar. Towels were dried on an airer inside the house. Problem was solved immediately.

wendy+5

Using fabric softener on towels reduces their absorbancy. Could that have anything to do with it?

stef240377

Yes it was the white vinegar i used but will give the bi carb a go next time i wash them through as they are currently on the line drying. Only bought the bi carb to put in OH trainers.

sandybeaches

I have had this problem in the past and found that if I put them through a very hot towels only wash they come out absolutely fine. I usually wash them at 60 degrees and I do use softner but only a little.

Hope this helps

michbright

I used to have this problem with my cloth nappies for my daughter and discovered the problem is a build up of soap in the fibres.

Towels are just as absorbent and therefore soak up any soap that's in the washing. I would suggest you try runing them through a wash cycle after they've been washed to 'strip' them of any soap residues. You may be surprised to see soap suds in the washing machine during this cycle.

That should usually fix the problem.

I wash my towels using half the recommended amount of washing powder/liquid for this very reason - something I started with the nappies and have extended to towels.

Hope this helps.

jennet1

I have a tip to cut the cost of dryer sheets and fabric softener for that matter, and make your washing smell nice(i know OP said didnt have a tumble drier, but some others might find this helpful) Get an old washcloth or old small towel. Pour a good amount of your favorite fabric softener on it and spread it around. Not so much that it drips but a good amount. Hang to dry. When dry, you may use this as you would any dryer sheet in the dryer w/ your wet clothing. It’s good for about 20 loads. When it no longer smells good or softens, you can wash it and do it again. I have 2 on hand so while one is washing, I can use the other one. Also, do NOT use fabric softener on your towels. It decreases the absorbency by coating the fibers.