How to Strip Mildew Smell from Towels

Mildew is a stubborn invader that thrives on the porous fibers of your towels. Once that sour, locker-room scent sets into your linens, a standard detergent cycle will rarely touch it, as the smell is usually caused by trapped bacteria, fabric softener residue, and mineral deposits that prevent soap from rinsing away properly. Done well, this process strips the buildup entirely, leaving your towels absorbent and neutral-smelling again. You are essentially deep-cleaning the cotton fibers to reset their integrity. Avoid the temptation to just add more laundry soap; it only creates more scum for mildew to cling to in the future.

1. Space Them Out First. Separate your towels from your regular clothing. Load them into the machine without overcrowding, as they need plenty of room to tumble and flush out the water.
2. Vinegar Dissolves the Buildup. Run the machine on the hottest water setting available. Add one cup of white distilled vinegar to the drum instead of detergent or fabric softener.
3. Neutralize with Baking Soda. Leave the towels in the washer once the first cycle completes. Add half a cup of baking soda directly onto the towels and run a second hot water cycle.
4. Move Them Now. Move the towels to the dryer the moment the cycle finishes. Letting them sit wet in the machine for even an hour can restart the mildew growth.
5. Dry Them Completely. Dry the towels on the highest heat setting your dryer allows. Ensure they are completely, bone-dry before folding them, as any leftover moisture acts as a breeding ground.
6. Lock in the Freshness. Switch to using a half-dose of detergent moving forward and eliminate liquid fabric softener. Keep your bathroom ventilated by running the exhaust fan after every shower.