Why Towels Smell Musty

The musty smell in towels is caused by bacteria and mildew that grow in damp fabric. The main causes: towels left damp for too long before washing, fabric softener buildup (creates a film that traps moisture and bacteria), and washing in cold water that does not kill bacteria effectively. Regular detergent washes often do not fully eliminate the bacteria — they just mask the smell temporarily.

The Two-Wash Treatment

  1. 1

    Wash 1: Hot wash with white vinegar only

    Load the smelly towels. Pour 1 cup (250ml) of white vinegar directly into the drum or the fabric softener compartment. Use no detergent. Wash on the hottest setting available (60°C or higher). The acidic vinegar kills mildew and bacteria and strips detergent and fabric softener buildup from the fibres. Do not dry yet — go straight to the second wash.

  2. 2

    Wash 2: Hot wash with baking soda only

    Immediately run a second hot wash. Add half a cup (125ml) of baking soda directly to the drum. No detergent. Baking soda neutralises any remaining odours and the vinegar residue. The combination of the two washes is far more effective than either alone.

  3. 3

    Tumble dry on high heat immediately

    Do not leave damp towels sitting in the machine — this re-introduces the mildew problem immediately. Transfer to the dryer and tumble dry on high heat until completely dry. High heat kills remaining bacteria and fully dries the fabric. If air drying: hang in direct sunlight and ensure towels are completely dry before folding.

Preventing the Smell from Returning

  • Hang towels to dry fully between uses — spread on the rail rather than bunched
  • Wash every 3–4 uses, not less frequently
  • Stop using fabric softener on towels (it reduces absorbency and causes buildup)
  • Wash on 60°C+ to kill bacteria — cold washes leave bacteria alive
  • Do not leave wet towels in the machine or on the floor

Frequently Asked Questions

Fabric softener coats towel fibres with a waxy film that makes them feel softer but reduces absorbency and traps moisture. This moisture-retaining film becomes an ideal environment for mildew and bacteria growth between washes. Over time, softener buildup is one of the primary causes of the musty towel smell. The vinegar wash strips this buildup effectively — and your towels will actually become more absorbent without softener.
Yes — for white towels, a hot wash with half a cup of chlorine bleach is highly effective at killing mildew and removing odour. Do not use chlorine bleach on coloured towels as it will bleach the colour. Oxygen bleach (Napisan, Vanish Oxi) is colour-safe and also effective at killing bacteria — add to a hot wash cycle. The vinegar and baking soda method is gentler and works well on both white and coloured towels without bleach.