smelly bath towls !

missindecisive

Hello, can anyone tell me how to really freshen up my bath towls ? Even after washing a couple of them are still a bit pongy. My mum says its bacteria on them that hasn't washed out as I only washed at 40c.
Is there anything I can add to the wash or will a higher temperature do it? thankyou

Own_My_Own

The first thing I would do is put them on a hot wash.

My towels are always washed on at least a 60 wash.

Does your machine have a 90 wash ?

asparagus1968

if they are smelly do a hot wash now and again, and put some clear vinegar in the conditioner drawer

parkgirl

I always wash towels in a hot wash. I worry about bacteria

meritaten

mum is right! I was always taught to wash bath towels on a boil wash. I don't always do that as I use biological washing powder, and at 60 it seems to wash them to my satisfaction.
Sheets and towels were always boil washed when I was younger - because of the sweat and bacteria. and they were washed separately - which I still do today! It makes me shudder when I see younger generations shove sheets towels and clothes all in together on a cooler wash! I cant help it - I think its disgusting!

Lilyplonk

One of the problems with today's towels is that there's very often embroidery / applique / metallic threads among the decorative borders ............. such a shame as it makes it damn near impossible to 'boil wash' them.

There's much to be said for good old-fashioned 'plain towels' !

missindecisive

ok..thanks everyone

Horace

As I tend to do things on a cooler wash these days my mum gave me a bottle of Dettol stuff that goes in the conditioner drawer on the washing machine to kill all the bugs in the washing. I cannot use biological powder because I am allergic to it so use non-biological powder. I only use a lid-ful and that is sufficient and my towels and sheets coming out smelling wonderful.

lostinrates

Doesn't bio powder become less effective at 60 degrees? Aren't the enzymes in it denaturing before then?


I think the other thing to consider is how long you are using towels for and how often you are washing them. Its difficult in a small household, but I use towels for about three/ 4 days. We build up enough washing for then to be washed in a load by then.

A hot wash ( with non bio) is what we do, not every time, but regularly. Some things just sometimes need hotter washes or, pre soaking if not using non bio or wanting to stick to cooker washes i think( knickers, shirts and towels among them)

babyshoes

That damp smell is indeed caused by bacteria which will be killed by a 60 degree or hotter wash, a hot tumble-dry or a hot iron. (These last 2 will kill the bacteria but may not remove the smell completely...)

Vinegar or other anti bacterial agents will also help, but the simplest solution is just a hot wash, then get them out to dry in a warm place ASAP - hanging around damp will make the bacteria reappear.

If you don't have an outdoor space, a radiator or just a room with the heating on will be fine - ours go on the bannister and on top of the doors as we live in a flat and didn't have a tumble drier until quite recently. It can be an issue in the autumn and spring when it's a little chilly but not cold enough to put the heating on - that's when using the tumble drier is good, even if only for part of the drying process.

vanoonoo

I agree with most of the other comments and especially regarding getting them dry as quickly as possible x