How to Eliminate Mildew Smell in Towels: Step-by-Step Cleaning and Prevention Guide
There’s a certain comfort in wrapping yourself in a soft, clean towel after a shower. But when that towel carries a sour, musty odor, it’s not just unpleasant — it’s a sign of mildew, and it may be undermining your home’s hygiene more than you think.
The mildew smell in towels is more than just a nuisance. It’s a red flag that mold and bacteria may be present in your laundry, your storage space, or even your home’s air. As specialists in odor removal, mold remediation, and home restoration, RestorationMaster often encounters cases where what begins with a persistent towel odor leads to larger indoor air quality or moisture control concerns.
In this comprehensive guide, we explain why towels start to smell like mildew, how to completely eliminate the odor, and how to keep your towels — and home — fresh and mildew-free long term.
What Causes the Musty Smell in Towels?
The smell you’re noticing isn’t just “old water.” It’s the byproduct of mildew, a form of fungus that thrives in moist, dark, and poorly ventilated environments. Towels are especially vulnerable because they absorb water, trap body oils and skin cells, and often don’t dry quickly enough — creating the perfect environment for microbial growth.
Common causes of mildew smell in towels include:
- Leaving wet towels in a laundry hamper or on the floor
- Not allowing towels to dry fully before folding or storing
- Using too much detergent or fabric softener, which builds up over time
- Forgetting towels in the washer for extended periods
- Storing towels in humid or poorly ventilated spaces, such as a bathroom closet
If the odor is lingering even after washing, your towels aren’t just dirty — they’re saturated with bacteria and mold spores that regular detergent cannot remove.
Why Standard Washing Isn’t Enough
It’s a common misconception that simply washing towels in hot water with detergent will eliminate mildew. In fact, many modern detergents — especially liquid formulas — are designed for low-suds cleaning and may not fully break down the layers of buildup in heavily used towels.
Moreover, fabric softeners coat towel fibers with a waxy residue that locks in moisture and odor-causing bacteria, making the smell worse over time.
To solve the problem at its source, you need to neutralize the bacteria and break down the residue. That’s where this method comes in.
How to Remove Mildew Smell from Towels: Proven Method
This process uses ingredients you likely already have in your home, but it’s not a shortcut — it’s a deep clean that removes the root cause of mildew, not just the symptoms.
Step 1: Wash with Vinegar to Break Down Residue
- Place your affected towels in the washing machine.
- Do not add detergent or fabric softener.
- Add 1 cup of distilled white vinegar directly into the drum.
- Set the machine to a full cycle using the hottest water setting your towels can tolerate (check labels).
Why it works: White vinegar is a natural antimicrobial and deodorizer. It helps dissolve detergent residue, body oils, and mildew spores embedded deep in the fibers.
Step 2: Wash Again with Baking Soda to Deodorize
- Without removing the towels, run another wash cycle.
- This time, add ½ cup of baking soda — again, without detergent.
- Use hot water and a full wash cycle.
Why it works: Baking soda neutralizes odors, lifts remaining stains, and breaks down lingering organic material that contributes to the smell.
Step 3: Dry Towels Immediately and Thoroughly
- Once the second wash is complete, transfer towels to the dryer immediately.
- Dry using high heat, or if weather permits, hang them in direct sunlight, which naturally kills bacteria and mold.
- Ensure towels are completely dry before storing or folding.
Tip: Never leave damp towels in the washing machine or in a pile — even for a few hours. Bacteria can begin multiplying again in as little as 6–12 hours.
What to Do if the Smell Persists
If you’ve followed the deep-cleaning method using vinegar and baking soda and your towels still carry that unpleasant mildew smell, don’t worry — some towels require more than one round of treatment, especially those that are older, heavily used, or made from thicker materials like Egyptian cotton or terry cloth.
Here are several steps to take if the odor remains after the first attempt:
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Repeat the deep-cleaning cycle: Run your towels through another hot water wash — first with vinegar, then with baking soda — to break down any remaining bacteria, detergent residue, or mold spores embedded deep in the fibers. A second cycle often finishes the job when the first pass makes noticeable but incomplete progress.
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Incorporate additional cleaning agents: If the odor lingers even after a second treatment, add Borax or an oxygen-based bleach (such as OxiClean) to the wash. These products are highly effective at removing organic buildup and can reach deeper into the fabric without compromising towel integrity. Unlike chlorine bleach, which can weaken or discolor fabrics, oxygen bleach cleans without damaging fibers or releasing harmful fumes.
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Avoid chlorine bleach: While it’s often thought of as a go-to mold killer, chlorine bleach doesn’t always eliminate mildew odors effectively and can degrade towel fibers over time. Overuse can lead to thinning, fraying, or yellowing, especially on white or light-colored towels.
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Wash towels separately from other laundry: Cross-contamination is a real concern when dealing with mildew. Always wash affected towels by themselves to avoid transferring bacteria and mold spores to your other laundry. This also allows the towels more space in the drum for better agitation and rinsing.
How to Prevent Mildew Smell from Returning
Eliminating the odor is only half the battle. The real key to keeping towels fresh and odor-free lies in consistent preventative care. Towels are one of the most frequently used textiles in any household, and how they’re handled between washes has a significant impact on their longevity and cleanliness.
1. Let Towels Dry Completely Between Uses
Dampness is the single most important factor that encourages mildew growth. To minimize moisture buildup:
- Always hang towels flat over a rod rather than on hooks, which create creases where moisture gets trapped.
- If possible, hang towels in an area with good air circulation — near an open window or under a vent fan.
- In humid climates or bathrooms with poor ventilation, consider using a dehumidifier, heated towel rack, or leaving the bathroom door open after showering to help reduce ambient moisture.
2. Wash Towels Regularly — But Mindfully
While over-washing can wear down towels, under-washing allows bacteria to build up. Striking the right balance is essential:
- Wash towels after every 3 to 4 uses to remove body oils, soap residue, and skin cells that fuel bacterial growth.
- Use the appropriate amount of detergent — more detergent doesn’t mean cleaner towels. In fact, excess soap can cause buildup that locks in odor.
- Replace fabric softeners with distilled white vinegar during the rinse cycle. Vinegar naturally softens fabric and breaks down residues without the waxy coating that traditional softeners leave behind.
3. Store in a Dry, Ventilated Space
Even freshly laundered towels can develop mildew if stored improperly. To keep towels fresh long after washing:
- Ensure they are completely dry before folding or placing them in a closet.
- Avoid storing towels in bathrooms or damp basements unless there is reliable ventilation or humidity control.
- Add moisture-absorbing products — such as silica gel packets, activated charcoal, or baking soda sachets — to linen cabinets, especially in humid regions.
A proactive storage strategy is essential to preserving the results of your cleaning efforts.
When to Replace Your Towels
Even with proper care and the best restoration methods, towels don’t last forever. Over time, repeated exposure to moisture, heat, detergents, and body oils begins to degrade fabric quality.
It may be time to replace your towels if:
- The mildew smell persists after multiple deep cleaning attempts
- They feel stiff, slimy, or rough to the touch
- You notice visible signs of mold or discoloration, especially dark spotting
- They no longer absorb water effectively
In general, high-quality bath towels last between two to three years with consistent use and care. After that, their fibers become less efficient at wicking away moisture and more prone to retaining bacteria and odors.
Replacing them regularly isn’t just about freshness — it’s also about hygiene.
Final Thoughts: Why Clean Towels Start with a Clean Home
A lingering mildew smell in towels can signal more than just a laundry issue — it may be an early sign of excessive indoor humidity, poor ventilation, or even hidden mold within your home. And while deep cleaning can solve most towel odor problems, the underlying conditions that cause mildew must also be addressed to prevent reoccurrence.
At RestorationMaster, we help homeowners and property managers uncover and resolve the root causes of mold, odor, and moisture damage. Whether the issue is localized to your laundry room or spreading throughout your home, our certified restoration professionals provide comprehensive solutions including:
- Mold inspection and remediation
- Water damage cleanup and drying
- Odor removal using advanced deodorization techniques
- Moisture control assessments and air quality support
If you’ve noticed that musty smell extending beyond your towels — in your walls, carpets, cabinets, or HVAC system — it’s time to go beyond surface cleaning.
Contact RestorationMaster today to schedule a professional consultation. We’ll help restore not only your towels but the comfort and cleanliness of your entire home.