We’ve all experienced it—reaching for a fresh towel after a shower only to be greeted by that unmistakable musty smell. What’s frustrating is that these towels often just came out of the wash. So why do clean towels smell so funky? The culprit might be something you’re doing every laundry day without even realizing it. Several common habits can turn your fluffy, fresh-smelling towels into mildewy messes, but one stands out as the primary offender: using fabric softener on your towels.
Using fabric softener creates a moisture-trapping barrier
That bottle of fabric softener sitting next to your detergent might seem like an essential part of your laundry routine, but it’s actually one of the worst things you can use on towels. Fabric softeners contain chemicals and oils that coat towel fibers with a waxy residue. This coating is designed to make fabrics feel softer, but on towels, it creates a waterproof barrier that prevents proper absorption. When your towels can’t absorb water efficiently, moisture gets trapped within the fibers instead of evaporating, creating the perfect breeding ground for bacteria and mildew—those microscopic culprits responsible for that musty smell.
The problem compounds with each wash if you continue using fabric softener. Over time, the waxy coating builds up, making your towels increasingly less absorbent and more prone to developing odors. This is why towels that once dried you effectively now seem to just push water around your body. If you want to keep your towels soft without the problematic coating, consider using wool dryer balls instead. These natural alternatives help reduce static and soften fabrics without leaving behind residue that can trap moisture and cause odors.
Overusing laundry detergent creates residue buildup
It seems logical that using more detergent would get your towels cleaner, but the opposite is actually true. Using too much laundry detergent leaves behind a residue that doesn’t rinse away completely, especially in high-efficiency washing machines that use less water. This residue builds up on towel fibers over time, creating a sticky film that traps odor-causing bacteria. Even worse, this residue becomes food for mildew, allowing it to thrive even after washing. The result? Towels that smell fresh when they first come out of the dryer but develop that distinctive musty odor as soon as they get damp again.
To avoid this problem, measure your detergent carefully according to the manufacturer’s instructions—or even use slightly less than recommended. Your washing machine likely needs much less detergent than you think, especially if you have soft water. For towels that already have detergent buildup, try washing them with just distilled white vinegar (no detergent) on a hot cycle to strip away the residue. This simple fix can restore your towels’ absorbency and eliminate that persistent musty smell. Remember to check your detergent cap—those lines are there for a reason!
Leaving wet towels bunched up after use
We’ve all done it—used a towel and then tossed it onto the floor or over the side of the bathtub in a crumpled heap. This seemingly innocent habit creates the perfect environment for mildew growth. When towels are bunched up, air can’t circulate through the fibers, preventing moisture from evaporating. Bacteria and mildew thrive in these damp, dark conditions, multiplying rapidly and producing that characteristic musty odor. Even worse, once these microorganisms establish themselves in your towels, they can survive the washing machine if not properly addressed.
The solution is simple: hang your towels flat to dry after each use. Spread them out across a towel bar rather than using hooks, which can cause towels to bunch and trap moisture. If you don’t have enough towel bars, consider investing in an expandable towel drying rack that can accommodate multiple towels. This simple change in habit ensures that your towels dry completely between uses, preventing the growth of odor-causing microorganisms. As a bonus, your towels will need less frequent washing, extending their lifespan and saving you time and money on laundry.
Letting wet laundry sit in the washing machine
We’ve all been there—you start a load of towels, get distracted, and completely forget about them until hours (or even a day) later. Unfortunately, leaving wet towels sitting in the washing machine is a recipe for mustiness. The dark, damp environment inside a closed washing machine is ideal for mildew growth. Within just a few hours, bacteria can begin multiplying on your freshly washed towels, undoing all the cleaning you just did. By the time you remember them, your towels have already developed that telltale sour smell that can be difficult to remove.
To prevent this problem, set a timer on your phone when you start a load of laundry, so you remember to transfer it to the dryer promptly. Some newer washing machines even have features that automatically tumble the load periodically if left sitting, helping to prevent mustiness. If you do forget and discover your towels have developed an odor, rewash them immediately with a cup of white vinegar added to the rinse cycle to kill bacteria and neutralize odors. Then make sure to dry them thoroughly on high heat to eliminate any remaining moisture that could harbor mildew.
Washing towels in a dirty machine
Your washing machine might look clean, but inside, it could be harboring all sorts of unpleasant things. Detergent residue, fabric softener, and mineral deposits from hard water can build up in the drum, gaskets, and hoses of your machine over time. This buildup creates a biofilm where bacteria can thrive, transferring to everything you wash—including your towels. Even if you follow all the other best practices for preventing musty towels, washing them in a dirty machine can reintroduce odor-causing bacteria, leaving you wondering why your towels still smell musty despite your best efforts.
To solve this problem, make cleaning your washing machine a regular part of your household maintenance routine. Once a month, run an empty hot water cycle with washing machine cleaner or two cups of white vinegar to remove buildup. For front-loading machines, pay special attention to the rubber gasket around the door, wiping it down with a solution of water and vinegar to remove mold and mildew. Don’t forget to leave the door open when the machine isn’t in use to allow moisture to evaporate, preventing mildew growth. A clean machine means cleaner, fresher-smelling towels.
Not washing towels frequently enough
How often do you wash your bath towels? If your answer is “when they start to smell” or “once every few weeks,” you might have found the source of your musty towel problem. Towels collect dead skin cells, body oils, and moisture with each use, creating a buffet for odor-causing bacteria. During humid summer months, the problem becomes even worse as towels take longer to dry between uses. The longer you go between washings, the more these unwanted elements build up, eventually leading to that unmistakable musty smell that seems impossible to remove.
The general rule is to wash bath towels after three to four uses, assuming they’re hung properly to dry between uses. If you live in a humid climate or have a poorly ventilated bathroom, you might need to wash them even more frequently. Having multiple sets of bath towels makes it easier to maintain this washing schedule without running out. When washing, use the hottest water temperature recommended on the care label to effectively kill bacteria. Remember, regular washing prevents buildup that can lead to persistent odors and extends the life of your towels.
Not drying towels completely
Pulling towels from the dryer while they’re still slightly damp might seem harmless, especially when you’re in a hurry. However, this seemingly innocent habit is a major contributor to musty-smelling towels. Even slight dampness can provide enough moisture for mildew to grow, particularly when towels are immediately folded and stored in a closed linen closet. Without proper airflow, that remaining moisture gets trapped, creating ideal conditions for bacteria and mildew to multiply. Before you know it, you’re reaching for a towel that smells worse than before you washed it.
To avoid this issue, make sure your towels are completely dry before removing them from the dryer. Use the high heat setting, which not only dries towels more effectively but also helps kill any remaining bacteria. If you line-dry your towels, make sure they’re exposed to direct sunlight and good air circulation, and bring them in only when they’re absolutely dry. For extra assurance, you can add wool dryer balls to your dryer to help separate towel fibers, allowing hot air to circulate more efficiently and reducing drying time. Remember, thorough drying is essential for odor-free towels.
Storing towels in a damp bathroom
Your bathroom is naturally one of the most humid rooms in your home. Steam from hot showers and baths can linger for hours, especially in poorly ventilated spaces. When you store your clean towels in this damp environment, they absorb the excess moisture from the air, creating conditions where mildew can thrive. Even towels that were perfectly dry when put away can develop a musty smell over time if stored in a humid bathroom. This problem is particularly common in bathrooms without windows or effective ventilation systems, where moisture has nowhere to go.
The solution is to store your clean towels outside the bathroom if possible, in a dry linen closet or bedroom drawer. If you must keep towels in the bathroom, install a bathroom exhaust fan if you don’t already have one, and run it during and after showers to reduce humidity. Using a dehumidifier in particularly damp bathrooms can also help. Another option is to store towels in open baskets rather than closed cabinets, allowing for better air circulation. Whatever storage solution you choose, the key is keeping your clean towels in a dry environment to prevent them from developing that dreaded musty smell.
Breaking these common habits can transform your towel experience from musty to magnificent. The key is addressing moisture at every stage—from proper washing and drying to correct storage and regular machine maintenance. By making these simple changes to your towel care routine, you’ll enjoy fresh-smelling, absorbent towels every time. Remember, preventing musty odors is much easier than trying to remove them once they’ve developed.
