Remove musty smell from towels with 2 ingredients sitting in your cupboards

It's a common issue for towels to lose their softness over time, and drying them in winter can be particularly challenging, often resulting in an unpleasant damp smell. However, if you're grappling with this problem, don't discard your towels just yet.

You can actually rejuvenate them using two ingredients likely already in your cupboard. A Reddit user recently sought advice on how to refresh musty towels, asking: "At what point do you give up on them?"

The individual explained: "I have mostly 'good' towels but a handful have this awful odour once they get wet (when they first come out of the washer, and after use). That distinct mildewy, wet-sock smell. I've tried everything I can think of."

They clarified their washing machine was not the issue, as it was spotless and only the towels had a problem, while clothes and sheets were fine.

Meanwhile, the user also mentioned trying white vinegar in a rinse cycle with hot water and minimal detergent, adding: "For a long time I mainly did cold washes on everything but now I'm wondering if cold washes are somehow promoting mildew to grow."

Following the post, numerous people offered their suggestions in the comments section.

One user advised: "If this ever happens to my towels, I add some baking soda to the cycle before it starts. Not sure how much I use, but sprinkle it over the towels and run the cycle as normal."

Another suggested: "Vinegar and hot water, whatever detergent you use. May take two cycles."

While a third noted: "Add a cup of vinegar to the load but do not use it in conjunction with smell beads like downy unstoppables just use the detergent and the vinegar. Same for smelly gym clothes."

To banish musty odours from towels, begin by washing them on a hot cycle with 1 cup of white vinegar (without detergent), followed by a second hot wash using 1/2 cup of baking soda (again, no detergent required).

This method should eliminate unpleasant smells and remove built-up residue, though it's essential to dry your towels thoroughly afterwards for optimal results.

How to eliminate unpleasant odours from your towels:

Step 1:

Pour 1 cup of vinegar straight into the drum and run a hot wash without any detergent.

Step 2: Follow with an additional rinse cycle to eliminate the vinegar scent.

Step 3: Add 1/2 cup of baking soda directly into the drum and run a further hot wash with no detergent.

Step 4: Complete with an extra rinse cycle to ensure all residue is removed.

Step 5: Either tumble dry on a high heat setting or hang outside in the sunshine, making certain they're completely dry.