Problem with foisty smelling towells

jgallcash

Having some problems with our fairly new towels in that they smell fine after being washed and dried but as soon as they get damp whilst being used they are smelly.

Its a foisty/musty smell. I know that this isn't down to them being dried properly as they are always properly dried.

On researching this people seem to suggest that it could be mildew or mould and that bleaching will fix the problem. The problem is that our towels are grey and using bleach isnt really an option.

Can anyone help?

BitterAndTwisted

That's very odd if they're new. In the first instance I would put them in the machine on the hottest temperature possible with no fabric-conditioner and line-dry. If that doesn't solve it a very dilute bleach solution might work and not lift any colour

jgallcash

They are about 2 months old but in fairness do get used regularly so perhaps I over played the new part.

BitterAndTwisted

I suppose it all depends on how many times you have laundered them them and how. Perhaps you haven't removed all of the finishes on the fabric since you've had them. A really hot wash should generally sort that or perhaps they've not been absolutely bone-dry when you put them away.

valk_scot

Do you have a heated towel rail in the bathroom? If you don't dry towels out properly between use they do retain a lot of water and get foosty. Best to hang them up on the nearest radiator or over the bannisters after use and get them properly dry.

Ben84

What temperature do you wash things at? A lot of people are washing often at pretty low temperatures, 30 or 40 now, but I think it's a bad idea. The machine tends to develop problem mould inside and things come out smelling ok but go stale rapidly once they get a bit damp or worn for one day. You really need most washes to be fairly hot to keep the machine clean, plus higher temperatures usually give better results for the items you're washing too.

I cleaned the machine and switched back to 60 and have found things are much cleaner and need washing far less often because of it. Low temperature washing was just a vicious cycle, I was washing more and more just to keep ahead of the staleness and probably using far more electric than I am now, not to mention my time and all the extra water and powder.

Living_proof

I think this is a problem with constant wetting and drying of towels and I can remember my mother in law's rather misty bathroom was a typical culprit. When towels are folded up wet they do dry slowly with a fusty smell, and this happened long before a 30 degree wash came about. I find the solution is to change them more often as once they get fusty a good hot wash is the only thing which will get rid.

jess1974

I am using a washing machine that someone gave me when mine broke, the 60 degree cycles do not work, so i have to wash everything at 40, my towels also smell musty as soon as they get used, my husband is really complaining about them but i cannot afford a new machine right now.....

mardatha

What about vinegar as conditioner? Do they still smell if you use that for the last rinse?

FairyPrincessk

Vinegar. I have long thick hair and the towel I wrap my hair in tends to end up fairly soaked. While it will dry, it takes it while and in the mean time, mildew spores will start to form and create a smell. After that it will come back easily until you kill them. I find that a hot 60+ wash with a bit of vinegar in the rinse does wonders. The towels won't smell later, and no problems with bleaching. You might be having this problem if your newer towels are thicker than your old ones, but its easy to fix.

unself

I always put towels on an extra long 60 degree wash cycle, with no fabric conditioner. It keeps them fresher longer.