How to remove mildew odor from towels？

The fastest way to remove mildew odor from towels: wash them in hot water with 1 cup of white vinegar (no detergent), then run a second cycle with ½ cup of baking soda. This two-step reset eliminates odor-causing bacteria and residue buildup that regular washing misses. Whether you have white cotton hand towels, black and white beach towels, or textured bath towels, the method works across all fabric types when applied correctly.

Quick Tip: If your towels smell musty even right after washing, the problem is almost always too much detergent — not too little. Residue buildup is the #1 hidden cause of mildew odor in towels.

Why Towels Develop That Musty Mildew Smell

Mildew odor in towels is caused by anaerobic bacteria and mold spores that thrive in damp, low-oxygen environments. Every time you use a towel, it absorbs dead skin cells, body oils, and moisture — the perfect growth medium. The problem intensifies when:

• Towels are left bunched in a hamper or on the floor for more than 30 minutes after use
• Too much laundry detergent is used, leaving a sticky residue that traps bacteria
• Towels are dried on a low-heat setting or remain damp after the dryer cycle
• The washing machine itself has mold or residue buildup inside the drum or seal
• Towels are stored folded before they are completely dry

Studies show that bath towels can harbor over 1 million bacteria per square inch after just 2–3 uses. The smell you detect is actually bacterial metabolic waste — not the dirt itself. The good news: both the odor and the bacteria are completely removable with the right method.

The Step-by-Step Method to Remove Mildew Odor from Towels

Follow these steps for a complete odor reset. This works for white cotton hand towels, patterned beach towels, and thick textured bath towels alike.

STEP 01 Vinegar Wash Add 1 cup of white vinegar to the drum. Run the hottest safe cycle. Skip detergent entirely. STEP 02 Baking Soda Wash Run a second cycle immediately with ½ cup of baking soda. Do not combine with vinegar. STEP 03 Dry Completely Dry on high heat for 45–60 min, or hang in direct sunlight. Never store while damp.

Step 1 — The Vinegar Wash

1. Load smelly towels into the washing machine — do not overfill
2. Add 1 cup of distilled white vinegar directly to the drum (not the detergent drawer)
3. Set the machine to the hottest water setting safe for your towel fabric (check the care label)
4. Run a full wash cycle — skip detergent entirely in this step

Step 2 — The Baking Soda Wash

1. Without drying the towels, run a second wash cycle immediately
2. Add ½ cup of baking soda to the drum
3. Use the same hot water setting
4. Do not add vinegar in this step — vinegar and baking soda neutralize each other if combined

Step 3 — Dry Completely and Immediately

1. Transfer towels to the dryer immediately after the cycle ends
2. Use high heat for at least 45–60 minutes — heat kills remaining bacteria
3. If air-drying, hang outside in direct sunlight; UV rays act as a natural sanitizer
4. Do not fold or store until towels are completely dry to the touch

Comparison: Which Method Works Best for Different Towel Types?

Different towel materials respond differently to odor treatments. Here's a quick guide:

Choosing the Right Towels to Prevent Future Odors

Not all towels are equally prone to mildew. The material, weave, and weight all affect how quickly a towel dries — and how quickly bacteria can colonize it.

White Cotton Hand Towels 100% cotton is breathable and absorbent, making white cotton hand towels a timeless choice. Egyptian cotton and Turkish cotton are especially valued for their long fibers, which create a more durable weave that resists bacterial buildup over time. White towels can be safely treated with oxygen bleach for deep sanitizing without color damage.

Black and White Beach Towels Beach towels face unique challenges — saltwater, sunscreen, and sand, then often stuffed damp into bags. Black and white beach towels in a cotton-polyester blend dry faster than pure cotton, reducing the window for mildew growth. Look for towels with a GSM of 400–500 for a balance of absorbency and quick-dry capability.

Textured Bath Towels Textured bath towels — including waffle-weave, jacquard, and ribbed styles — have more surface area than flat-weave towels, promoting faster evaporation and natural mildew resistance. Use only the recommended amount of detergent to keep texture loops clean. A GSM of 500–600 delivers spa-level softness while remaining easy to dry thoroughly.

7 Daily Habits That Prevent Mildew Odor from Returning

Odor removal is only half the solution. Long-term freshness depends on consistent care habits:

• Hang towels flat immediately after use — never leave them bunched or on the floor
• Use less detergent than the label recommends — roughly ½ the suggested amount is sufficient
• Wash towels every 3–4 uses (or every 1–2 uses for beach towels)
• Skip fabric softener — it coats fibers with a waxy layer that traps bacteria
• Clean your washing machine monthly with a drum-cleaning tablet or hot vinegar cycle
• Dry towels fully in one cycle — if still damp, run the dryer again
• Ensure bathroom ventilation — run the exhaust fan for at least 20 minutes after showering

FAQ About Bath Towels and Mildew Odor

Can I use bleach to remove mildew smell from towels? For white cotton towels only, chlorine bleach can be used occasionally to sanitize and brighten. However, it degrades cotton fibers over time and is unsafe for colored towels like black and white beach towels. Oxygen bleach (sodium percarbonate) is a gentler, color-safe alternative that effectively kills bacteria and eliminates odors without damaging fabric.

How often should I wash my bath towels? Most dermatologists and laundry experts recommend washing bath towels after every 3–4 uses. Beach towels and hand towels used by multiple people should be washed more frequently — after every 1–2 uses.

Why do my towels smell after washing? If towels smell immediately after washing, the most common culprits are: too much detergent leaving a residue that feeds bacteria, a dirty washing machine drum with mold in the gasket, or not drying quickly enough after the cycle ends. Running the vinegar-then-baking-soda reset resolves all three issues.

Does vinegar damage towel fibers? Distilled white vinegar at standard household concentration (5% acidity) is safe for most cotton, linen, and polyester towels when used occasionally. Avoid using vinegar on silk or wool blends. Once or twice a month as a reset treatment is sufficient and will not damage fibers.

Can mildew-smelling towels be saved, or should I replace them? In most cases, towels with mildew odor can be fully restored using the vinegar and baking soda method. However, if you see visible dark mold spots that don't wash out, or the towel smells musty after three treatment cycles, replace them. Towels typically last 1–3 years with regular washing, depending on fabric quality and care.

What is the best towel material to avoid mildew? Turkish cotton and waffle-weave textured towels are among the best choices for mildew resistance due to their open weave structure that promotes faster evaporation. Linen towels also dry quickly and naturally resist bacterial growth. Avoid ultra-thick towels (above 700 GSM) in humid environments — they retain moisture far longer.

Is it safe to wash black and white beach towels in hot water? Most black and white beach towels should be washed in warm water (40°C / 104°F) rather than hot to prevent color fading and shrinkage. Use a color-safe detergent and oxygen bleach (not chlorine bleach) if sanitizing is needed. Always check the care label before increasing wash temperature.

Quick Reference: Odor Removal at a Glance

Bottom Line: With the right vinegar-and-baking-soda reset plus smart drying habits, any towel — whether a plush textured bath towel, a crisp white cotton hand towel, or a bold black and white beach towel — can smell fresh and clean wash after wash.