If your reusable towels suddenly smell musty, mildewy, or just… funky 😩 don’t panic. This is super common, and 99% of the time they’re totally salvageable!!
Most smells happen for one simple reason: your towels stayed damp too long (in a pile, a hamper, or the washer overnight). Damp fabric + time = bacteria + mildew.
Why do reusable towels smell?
Here are the most common situations:
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Musty smell: towels aren’t fully drying between uses or before laundry day
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Mildew smell: towels sat wet too long (usually overnight or longer)
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“Forgot in washer” smell: the classic… we’ve all done it 😭
Fast ways to fix the smell
Option 1: Vinegar Soak (best for musty smell + buildup)
Soak towels in warm water + 1 cup white vinegar for 30–60 minutes. Then wash normally and dry fully.
Option 2: Baking Soda Wash (best for washer-forget smell)
Wash towels with ½ cup baking soda added directly into the washer drum. Dry fully.
Option 3: Vinegar Rinse (best for mildew/persistent funk)
Wash towels normally, then add ½–1 cup vinegar during the rinse cycle (or in the fabric softener compartment). Dry fully.
Emergency method (for really stubborn smells):
Do a baking soda wash first, then do a second wash with vinegar in the rinse cycle.
How to prevent it (without making life harder)
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Don’t leave damp towels in a pile, let them air out before tossing in a basket
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Hang towels to dry between uses (oven handle, sink edge, hook, etc.)
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Don’t overload the washer (they need room to rinse clean)
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Use less detergent than you think (too much can trap smells)
What not to do
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Don’t use fabric softener or dryer sheets (they coat the fibers and trap odors)
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Don’t store towels damp in a closed container or bin
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Don’t rely on bleach regularly (it can wear down fabric over time)
If you’ve ever forgotten a load of towels in the washer… welcome to the club 😂💛
The good news is reusable towels are super easy to refresh, and once your routine is set, you won’t even think about it.
💖 Porsha