How to Remove Mildew Smell from Towels
Learning how to remove mildew smell from towels starts with understanding why the odor appears in the first place.
Once you target the cause, you can get rid of the musty smell and keep towels fresh between washes.
Mildew odor usually comes from moisture trapped in fabric, combined with bacteria and mold growth in warm, damp conditions.
The good news is that most towels can be restored with a few laundry changes and better drying habits.
Why Towels Develop a Mildew Smell
Towels are highly absorbent, which makes them efficient at drying skin and equally efficient at holding onto water, soap residue, and body oils.
When towels stay damp for too long, microorganisms thrive and create the musty smell many people describe as mildew.
- Prolonged dampness: Leaving wet towels in a pile or hamper traps humidity.
- Overloaded washing machines: Towels may not rinse thoroughly when packed too tightly.
- Fabric softener buildup: Residue can coat fibers and reduce absorbency.
- Low drying power: Slow air-drying or humid rooms can keep towels from fully drying.
In some homes, the problem is not the towel itself but the laundry routine.
Changing a few steps in washing and drying often fixes the odor permanently.
Best Washing Methods to Eliminate Mildew Odor
The most effective way to remove mildew smell is to wash towels with enough agitation, hot water if the care label allows, and a deodorizing additive.
Always check the manufacturer’s instructions before using high heat or strong cleaners.
1. Wash towels separately
Towels wash best on their own because they need room to move.
Mixing them with clothing can reduce friction and leave behind lint, oils, or detergent buildup.
2. Use the hottest safe water setting
Hot water helps loosen body oils and residue that contribute to odor.
If the towel label allows it, choose a hot cycle for white or colorfast towels.
For delicate or colored towels, use warm water instead.
3. Add white vinegar during the rinse cycle
White vinegar is commonly used to help neutralize musty smells and break down residue.
Add about 1 cup to the rinse cycle only, not directly with bleach, and avoid combining it with other cleaners.
4. Use baking soda in the wash
Baking soda can help freshen fibers and reduce lingering odor.
Add about half a cup with your detergent during the wash cycle.
It is especially helpful when towels smell stale even after regular washing.
5. Avoid too much detergent
Using excess detergent can leave a film on towel fibers, trapping moisture and smell.
Follow the detergent label and adjust for load size, water hardness, and soil level.
6. Skip fabric softener
Fabric softener may make towels feel smooth at first, but it can reduce absorbency over time.
Less absorbent towels hold moisture longer, which can worsen mildew odor.
How to Deep Clean Towels That Still Smell Musty
If regular washing does not solve the problem, towels may need a deep-cleaning reset.
This is useful for towels with heavy buildup from detergent, oils, or years of repeated low-temperature washing.
- Pre-soak in hot water and vinegar: Soak towels in a basin or tub with hot water and 1 to 2 cups of white vinegar for 30 to 60 minutes.
- Follow with a baking soda wash: Run a second wash using detergent and half a cup of baking soda.
- Use an extra rinse: A second rinse cycle helps remove loosened residue.
- Dry completely right away: Move towels promptly to the dryer or hang them in strong airflow.
For persistent odor, a laundry sanitizer or oxygen-based bleach may help if the towel care label allows it.
Avoid chlorine bleach on colored towels unless the label specifically says it is safe.
How to Dry Towels Properly After Washing
Even perfectly washed towels can smell musty again if they are not dried fully.
Drying is one of the most important steps in preventing mildew smell from returning.
Machine drying tips
- Shake towels out before placing them in the dryer to open the fibers.
- Do not overfill the dryer; towels need airflow.
- Use a full drying cycle, and add extra time if towels are thick.
- Remove towels promptly when the cycle ends.
Air-drying tips
If you air-dry towels, hang them where air can move freely around both sides.
Avoid drying in a humid bathroom with poor ventilation, since that can leave towels damp for hours.
Thick bath towels may feel dry on the outside while still retaining moisture inside the weave.
If possible, finish with a short tumble-dry cycle after air-drying or place them in direct airflow from a fan.
How to Store Towels Without Reintroducing Odor
Clean towels can pick up a stale smell if stored in a damp cabinet or crowded linen closet.
Storage matters just as much as washing.
- Store towels only when fully dry.
- Avoid tightly packing shelves, which limits airflow.
- Keep towels away from leak-prone areas and damp walls.
- Rotate towels so older ones are used first.
If your bathroom is frequently humid, store backup towels in a dryer area such as a hall closet or linen cabinet with ventilation.
Scented sachets can add fragrance, but they will not fix moisture problems.
How to Prevent Mildew Smell from Returning
Prevention is easier than repeatedly stripping odors from towels.
A few simple habits can keep bath towels, hand towels, and washcloths fresh longer.
Wash towels often enough
Bath towels should usually be washed after every three to four uses, or sooner if they stay damp for long periods.
Hand towels and washcloths often need more frequent washing because they collect more moisture and residue.
Hang towels to dry between uses
Spread towels out on a towel bar or hook with enough space for air circulation.
Folding a damp towel over itself keeps moisture trapped in the center.
Keep the laundry area clean
Residue in the washing machine drum, detergent drawer, or rubber gasket can transfer odors back onto towels.
Run a maintenance wash periodically according to the washer manufacturer’s instructions.
Dry towels quickly after the wash
Do not leave towels sitting in the washer after the cycle ends.
Even a few hours in a closed, humid drum can cause a fresh musty smell.
When to Replace Towels
Most towels can be refreshed, but some eventually become too worn or damaged to hold a clean smell.
If towels stay musty after repeated deep cleaning, the fibers may have permanent buildup or structural wear.
Consider replacing towels if they have:
- Persistent mildew odor after multiple wash cycles
- Thin, frayed, or rough texture
- Reduced absorbency that makes them stay damp longer
- Visible mold spots or staining that will not wash out
High-quality cotton towels with dense loops tend to last longer, but even the best terry cloth eventually breaks down with heavy use and repeated moisture exposure.
What to Do If the Smell Keeps Coming Back
If you keep following the right laundry steps and the smell returns, the issue may be environmental rather than fabric-related.
High humidity, poor bathroom ventilation, or a washing machine that holds standing water can all contribute.
- Check for bathroom leaks or hidden dampness.
- Use a dehumidifier or exhaust fan in humid spaces.
- Inspect the washer for mold growth in seals and dispensers.
- Review detergent amount and water temperature settings.
Once the moisture source is controlled, towels are much less likely to develop a mildew smell again.