How to Eliminate Musty Smells from Towels: Proven Vinegar and Baking Soda Method

Drying off with a musty towel is never pleasant. As a parent of four active kids, I've dealt with this issue firsthand—yuck!

The culprit? Towels left crumpled in the hamper or not hung properly to dry. They stay damp too long, breeding bacteria and that stubborn musty odor.

I first tried adding extra fabric softener to washes, but that backfired. It left chemical buildup on the fibers, reducing absorbency and making the smell worse—even after laundering.

Thankfully, I've found a reliable, natural solution: a simple vinegar and baking soda wash that restores towels to fresh, like-new condition. Here's the step-by-step guide:

Click here to easily print this guide in PDF.

Ingredients

• 250 ml white vinegar
• 100 g baking soda

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Load your bath towels into the washing machine.
2. Select the hottest wash cycle allowed (check the care label for the max temperature).
3. Pour the white vinegar into the detergent compartment—no detergent or softener.
4. After the cycle ends, run a second hot cycle with the baking soda (nothing else).
5. Dry immediately in the dryer or hang in direct sunlight.

Results

Your towels will emerge soft, highly absorbent, and smelling fresh. Quick, effective, and chemical-free!

Pro tip: Ensure they're fully dry before storing to prevent odor recurrence.

This method also works wonders on other musty items like swimsuits or damp gym clothes—just verify care labels for hot water safety.

Click here to find out how.

Additional Tips

• For heavily soiled kitchen towels or napkins, repeat the vinegar cycle until the smell is gone.
• Prevent issues by deep-cleaning bath towels monthly and kitchen ones every second wash. Bonus: It enhances softness and absorbency!
• Still smelly? Mold in your machine might be the issue. Click here to clean it.
• For detergent buildup removal, check our full deep-clean guide here.

Why It Works

• White vinegar's acetic acid kills bacteria, eliminates trapped moisture, deodorizes, and softens fibers naturally.
• Baking soda neutralizes persistent odors—a classic remedy backed by generations.
• Hot water kills remaining microbes for a thorough refresh.

Try It Yourself

Have you tested this towel-saving trick? Share your results in the comments—we'd love to hear!