A community of 30,000 US Transcriptionist serving Medical Transcription Industry
smelly towels
Posted: Jun 16, 2011
Does anyone have any ideas on how to get the musty smell out of towels? These are not old soggy towels. I've had then for a couple of months and have tried soaking my washer with a bleach solution, vinegar, baking soda. Washing the towels in boiling water (pouring pots into the machine), hot water, dilute bleach, vinegar, baking soda, hanging them outside in the scorching sun, but when I towel off after a shower I can still smell musty smell.
I had thrown out all my towels and got this new set, and the same thing... I don't allow my towels to set crumpled up wet. As soon as I am done with a towel I hang it up. My bathroom has a big sunny window that I open up after anyone showers to dry up the walls and especially the stinky towels. (and for the cat to sit on the sill!)
My son and his family are coming for a long weekend and I feel like going to get brand new towels rather than have them use the musty stinky towels! I've been air drying to avoid the stink on me!
Anyone have any ideas? I'd appreciate any insight also, as to what may be causing this. It is only the towels, not any other laundry too.
Thanks a lot.
;
I had this same problem - and it was the - sm
[ In Reply To ..]Washing machine lint trap. I didn't realize the washer had a lint trap so I never cleaned it. I too had the funky towels (smelled like onions even after several washes ewwww). I googled the problem and found this site. After cleaning my lint traps and running a load of hot water with vinegar just for good measure, my towels now smell clean and fresh every time. Good luck!
BE SURE TO UNPLUG YOUR MACHINE BEFORE CLEANING THE TRAP!!! Here is the site with some instructions.
http://www.ehow.com/how_2083872_clean-washing-machine-lint-trap.html
washing machine lint trap - cr
[ In Reply To ..]Where is it usually located in the washing machine?
Mine was located - sm
[ In Reply To ..]Under the lip of the agitator and I had another in the little bendy drain pipe. Google your washing machine brand to see where yours is located. I googled Roper Model #12345678 lint trap location and was able to find my user manual that showed where it was located.
I looked it up online. My model does not have a lint trap. - Any other ideas?
[ In Reply To ..]This was a good idea though. Albatross.
Smelly Dog and Stinky Towels - Odors R Us
[ In Reply To ..]How about OxyClean or Borax or lemon juice added to your wash cycle? OxyClean is hard on color and the lemon juice might stain white towels, though. The smell of the dye clashes with your laundry detergent? Add salt to a cold wash cycle; dry the towels in the dryer.
Is it possible that you have a "sinus infection"? That might explain the musty smell and why the odor is more noticeable after a steamy shower.
I hope your towels pass the whiff test before your guests arrive!
I was having the same problem and could not work out what was (sm) - anon
[ In Reply To ..]happening, like you I had tried everything. Finally I was talking with a friend of mine who had had the same problems and she made the statement that it could be something with my washing machine. I had a repairman to come in and sure enough the machine was holding water which was causing the smell. By the time I actually did call the repairman I noticed that when I would open the lid on my machine or start a wash that there would be this terrible smell and again, it is because the water was standing under the drum or behind the drum which was becoming almost stagnant. I got rid of that machine, purchased another one (used) and so far no problems, everything smells fresh now thankfully.
Good luck!
Do you have a front loader? s/m - MIMT
[ In Reply To ..]This same thing happened to me and another friend. We both have front loaders. What we found out after using bleach cycles, etc, is that after you are done washing, don't close the door, leave it open. Ever since I started leaving the door open, I have not had the problem. I do have a lint trap as well, but that wasn't the problem.
More Info - Albatross
[ In Reply To ..]I have a top loading machine. This problem is only with towels. None of my other clothes have the smell. That's why I threw the old ones out, thinking they mildewed or "rotted". The machine isn't holding water, I had checked for that. I leave the lid up when the machine to dry out or when it isn't in use (always have because I have an aversion to moldy smells...) It happens to my kitchen towels as well. Could it be soap or lotion residue?
My neighbor and I were smelling towels this afternoon, found that the colors and printed ones are smellier than the solids. We washed them in her machine, no difference. Perhaps because our area is humid? or the AC leaves the house humid? That doesn't explain why other items of cloth are not smelly. My shirts and clothes always smell wonderful, especially after they are line dried in the super heat. I love my clothesline!
My mom's theory is that towels today are made with a blend of material and after normal use hold smells... She suggested 100% cotton. I checked the labels today and they ARE a blend, but I don't think even blends would continue to smell after hot washes and various chemicals.
I am really at a loss. I may as well just throw these ones out too and try 100% cotton. Maybe I'll go vintage...
I appreciate the ideas and help. I've learned a lot. If anyone has any other ideas, I'd appreciate it still! I'll check back later this afternoon (evening...) Sorry this is novel-like. It's a mystery tho and needs to be solved!
I'm curious now - Send an update
[ In Reply To ..]And let us know how it turns out. I'm curious as to what the problem and solution will be! 
I was wondering if they were 100% cotton - Old part-timer
[ In Reply To ..]That was the only think I could think of that wasn't covered. I couldn't imagine a cotton towel holding a musty odor after all the things you tried!
I know synthetics can hold odors, so maybe invest in some 100% cotton towels.
Keep us updated! I'll be curious to find if that's the solution.
Smelly Towels - Albatross
[ In Reply To ..]I don't know what the problem is, but last night went out and got 100% Egyptian cotton towels (blew my grocery month for the month lol!) in a sand color, no whites, no darks, no stripes or printed patterns. I'll see what happens. I'm kind of scared to wash them at all. Might just start taking my towels to mom's or a laundromat!
I put the old (new) towels in the garage for the miscellanous uses; car washing, dog baths, big spills and other smelly jobs. It's a shame and such a waste. I wish I could get that smell out.
THEY ARE a blend by the way. Its still a mystery to me though. With all I've tried, even a blend should have come unstinky! DH thinks I need a new machine, even though this one is only about 4 years. I am going to write a letter to the manufacturer to see if they have any ideas also. This machine by the way, has auto soap dispenser and auto fabric softener dispensers, but I sniffed both compartments and they smell, well like soap and softener.
We pulled both the washer and dryer outside and they got a good cleaning and baked in the sun for a few hours too.
Again, thanks for the input and IF I ever figure it out I'll post it.
Similar Messages:
Smelly Puppy. Mixed Breed.Jun 12, 2011
Went to shower yesterday and people had new pet puppy, mixed undetermined breed. It smelled so bad. They said puppy was bathed and they didn't know what to do about the odor. Someone said it was maybe the breed. Anyone ever heard of a breed of a dog just giving off an unpleasant odor? ...