How to get rid of damp smells from towels

There are few things more unpleasant that drying yourself with a damp-smelling towel, even after it has just been washed. The persistent smell is usually due to a number of factors: detergent remains, excessive fabric softener, poor spinning or drying. Moreover, frequent use on the beach or swimming pool, environmental moisture or lack of ventilation can mean towels don’t dry properly, thus favouring the appearance of bad smells and even affecting how hygienic they are.

Luckily, restoring the fresh, clean smell of your towels is easier than you think. This article explains how to effectively get rid of damp smells from towels step by step, using simple, natural and fabric-friendly methods. Let’s get going then!

How to wash towels to get rid of damp smells?

If your towels smell damp even after washing them, it’s time to take a look at your washing routine. Knowing how to wash towels properly to get rid of damp smells is the first step to keeping them fresh, soft and to lengthen their life.

1. Wash them properly: less is more

The first thing is to make sure we wash our towels properly. Use half the usual amount of detergent (no more and no less) and avoid using fabric softener in excess, since it leaves a layer on the fibres that keeps the moisture in and prevents them from drying out properly. Choose a good spin cycle to get rid of water as this is essential to prevent bad smells. Moreover, there are some habits that make a difference too. Do not overload the washing machine (towels need space to rinse properly) and wash your towels separately, without mixing them with heavily soiled or sweaty clothes.

2. Deep clean them with vinegar and baking powder

One of the most effective and natural ways to get rid of bad smells is to deep clean them with ingredients that you are most likely to have around the home. For the first wash, put the towels in the washing machine with hot water and add a cup of white vinegar (which works as a natural fabric softener and gets rid of any residues) to the detergent drawer. Choose a long wash cycle. For the second wash, start another cycle without taking the towels out, but adding half a cup of baking powder directly in the drum. Choose a gentle wash with hot water, without adding any vinegar or fabric softener. The baking powder neutralises smells and cleans the fibres deep down. 

How to get rid of bad smells from towels?

As we have seen, washing towels properly is important. But drying and airing them properly is just as important as washing them properly. 

• Sunlight. The sun is a natural drying agent and disinfectant, and therefore it is an excellent choice to get rid of damp from towels. Hang them outside on the washing line in a sunny place after washing them. This helps to evaporate the moisture and get rid of unwanted smells. If you do not have a balcony or terrace, you can hang them out to dry near a window inside your home.
• Ventilation. The bathroom is one of the places where towels usually build up damp. To reduce this problem, make sure you ventilate the bathroom well. Open the windows after showering to allow fresh air to flow through, and use an extractor fan whenever possible. Moreover, you should avoid leaving damp towels in the bathroom for long. You should change them regularly to keep a dry atmosphere.

There are also other devices you can resort to in order to get rid of bad smells from towels:

• Dehumidifier. If you live in a particularly humid area or have recurring problems of damp on your towels, investing in a dehumidifier is advisable. These devices remove excess humidity from the air and can help if you are looking for a way to remove bad smells from towels. Place the dehumidifier in the room where you store your towels and choose the right setting in accordance with the manufacturer's recommendations for the best results.
• Anti-humidity products. There are products available on the market specifically designed to absorb the damp from towels. You can use disposable wipes or bags with silica gel or active carbon to help keep excess humidity at bay. Place one of these products in the cupboard or drawer where you keep your towels: it will help to keep them dry and fresh. They are very useful if you are trying to find out how to remove bad smells from towels without changing your usual washing routine - they work, honestly!
   

How to wash towels to make them smell nice?

A fresh, clean smell evokes pleasant sensations, so much so that the smell of recently washed towels (particularly when coming out of the shower) is a very pleasant experience for our senses. If you are wondering how to wash towels to make them smell nice, we have given you some tips throughout this article. Let's make a quick summary:

1. Use less detergent. Remember to use no more than half the usual amount because any excess doesn’t rinse out properly, but builds up on the fibres and causes unpleasant smells.

2. Wash them in hot water. The label will be a guide, but water at 60ºC or over is recommended, since temperatures like that kill off bacteria and get rid of the residue that causes bad smells. Wash them frequently (every 3 or 4 uses) without mixing them in with other dirty or sweaty clothes, since they absorb smells from other garments which are hard to get rid of.

3. Dry them properly. Never put damp towels away. If you use a tumble dryer, make sure it completes the drying cycle. If you dry them outside, do it in a sunny, airy place.

Knowing how to get rid of damp smells from towels is a matter of good habits: less detergent, higher temperature, proper drying and regular washing. With those simple steps, your towels will not only be clean, but drying yourself with them will be a much more pleasant experience for your senses.