Do your towels begin to stink a few days after laundering? Are they not absorbing water like they used to? SOS! Someone help! Get a CPR instructor to breathe some new life into the towels. 😉 No CPR instructor needed here… just some ingredients from the pantry: vinegar and baking soda.

Why do towels stink and lose their absorbing power?

The culprits are most likely: conventional laundry detergent and fabric softener. Conventional laundry detergents cause build up in towels (and clothes) which leads to smelly and mildewy laundry. Fabric softener leaves a filmy coating which makes towels “water-proof” and lose their absorbency. Also, using too much laundry detergent or fabric softener can be a problem [more is not always better, unless we are discussing kawa, memories, or cuddles]. Try a natural laundry detergent and use vinegar in the fabric softener dispenser regularly to keep towels and other laundry clean and smelling fresh.

The towels were not fully dry before being put away. Any small amount of moisture on towels will be a bacteria-festival if they are folded and put away before being dried completely. Bacteria-festival leads to mildew, which leads to smelly towels. The problem could also be from leaving the towels in the washer for a few days because you forgot about them and now they smell…

The washing machine needs to be cleaned. Yes you need to clean the thing that cleans your things! Especially if you are using conventional laundry detergent and fabric softeners as they leave build-up on clothing and the washing machine.

Run an empty load with 1/2 cup of baking soda in hot water and vinegar in the fabric softener dispenser.

If the washing machine is really caked on with build-up, get ready to work on those arm muscles! Wet a sponge with hot water and put about a teaspoon of baking soda on it, then begin to scrub the inside of the washing machine. Add more water and baking soda when needed. Finally, run a quick rinse cycle with vinegar.

How to Refresh Stinky Non-Absorbing Towels

Collect all those stench-ridden bath and kitchen towels and throw them into the washing machine.

For the first cycle, set the washer to hot water and only add 1 cup of vinegar. Vinegar will cut through that detergent/fabric softener build up. Leave the towels in the washing machine.

Then run a second cycle, set the washer to hot water and only add 1/2 cup of baking soda. Baking soda will remove odors, dirt, and grease.

Transfer the towels to the dryer or line dry them in the sun until they are completely dry. Enjoy fresh smelling towels that have gained back their absorbing power!

Psst… some extra tips

I do not use the method every time I wash towels, only when I notice they start to have a smell. (Which does not happen often since switching to a natural homemade laundry detergent).

If completing this method and towels are still smelly, you may need to repeat it again. Break up with that build-up, it’s super clingy and doesn’t want to let go of your toxic relationship. </3

Please, please, please do not use bleach on towels or at all? Is that too optimistic? It breaks down the fibres in towels and clothing, which makes them wear out faster. Not to mention… it’s a dangerous toxin. Please?

Happy Towel-Refreshing 🙂

Do your towels stink? What method do you use to keep them fresh and clean?