How to remove the smell of damp from towels

Don’t know how to remove the smell of damp from your towels? Get rid of it and stop them from smelling!

Their intensive use at the beach or pool, the climate or poor ventilation prevent towels from drying properly. Damp towels aren’t just uncomfortable to use, they also generate unpleasant odours and favour the growth of bacteria and fungi. Luckily, there are some simple and effective techniques to keep them fresh and dry. We give you some useful tips to help you to solve this problem.

• Washing: it’s important to make sure that towels are washed properly. Use the right amount of detergent and avoid using too much softener since the latter can leave residues that make drying difficult. Additionally, select the correct washing programme, and the spin in particular, to remove excess water.
• Sunlight: the sun is a natural drying and disinfection agent, so it is an excellent solution for removing damp from towels. After washing the towels, hang them outdoors on a drying rack or washing line in a sunny place. This will help the moisture to evaporate and remove any unwanted smells. If you don’t have a balcony or terrace, you can hang them up near a sunny window inside your home.
• Dehumidifier: if you live in a particularly humid area or you have recurring problems with your towels being damp, investing in a dehumidifier is advisable. These devices remove the excess moisture from the air and can help to speed up the drying process of your towels. Place the dehumidifier in the room where you store your towels and adjust it according to the manufacturer’s instructions to get the best results.
• Ventilation: the bathroom is one of the places where towels usually accumulate the most moisture. To reduce this problem, make sure your bathroom has suitable ventilation. Open the windows after showering to allow fresh air to circulate and use an extractor fan if possible. In addition, avoid leaving damp towels in the bathroom for a long period of time and change them regularly to keep the environment dryer.
• Anti-damp products: there are products on the market that are specifically designed to absorb the damp from towels. You can use wipes or disposable bags of silica gel or bags of activated charcoal to help to remove excess moisture. Place one of these products in the cupboard or drawer where you keep your towels to prevent the build-up of damp.