Smelly towels.................how Do I Get the Smell Out?

if you haven't already tried the vinegar, I would try that. If you are reluctant because you think it will give them a bad smell, try apple cider vinegar, red wine vinegar or rice wine vinegar. Of the 3, the apple cider vinegar should have the least vinegar-like aroma. If that doesn't work, try using 1 1/2 times the regular detergent amount and add a fabric softener (bounce is a great one). But do this after the towels have been thoroughly dried... Good Luck!!!

The best way to get the smell out is letting them soak in vinegar. You might think that they will smell like vinegar but after washing again they will NOT have any hint of smell!! Good Luck!!

I've done this several times...I just ran them through the Rinse cycle with 2-3 times more fabric softener than usual, on Gentle cycle...I hope this works for you!

Ugh! That's the worse! This has worked for me: fill the machine with hot water, add about 1/2 to 1 cup of vinegar and 1/4 to 1/2 cup of baking soda. Add the towels and let them agitate for about 3 minutes. Then, turn the washer off and let them soak in a full tub for about a half hour. Turn it back on and let it cycle. Then, re-wash with your regular detergent and immediately dry. Nice and fresh again!
(Im generous with the vinegar and baking soda because they are cheap! The more the better, right?)
Good Luck!

I have done this also...and used bleach...but not alot..just a lil...and i have tried baking soda..but im in agreeance with the others..its probably 'best' to let them ''dry''....and JUST rewash with one of these HELPFUL hints! they all work.
vinegar, baking soda, or bleach....
I just finally started washing my towels in the armor hammer detergent....has a 'nice smell'..and keep OUT all odors that try to set in BEFORE washing..when you have three kids and a sweaty husband..lol..you HAVE to have somethin for odors..!!
GOOD L:UCK....write back and let us know what you found that worked.
I always just rewash..and put extra..baking soda..and a lil bleach..but when i rewash..they almost dry..so u just bascially letting them dry and then rewashing..which is better..
hope i dind't confuse ya..
Keep us infomred on what helped!
thanks!
S.

White vinegar and baking soda..if it works for cat pee, it must work for stale towels

Mitzy was right,hang them out to dry first THEN stick them back in the wash with regular detergent. I have done this many,many times and I know how bad mildewed towels smell like and this works for me everytime.gl

Hey,
Try adding some ammonia and vinegar to your wash and then before you dry them spray them with Frebreeze. It works, I did the same thing you did and this was the only thing that helped me.

use 1/2C to a full cup of white vinegar added to normal washing. That should do it.

depending on the color of the towel i would try a cap full of bleach and if they are white i would use a 1/2 cup of bleach for sure :P i have tried liquid softener too and that worked for me :) hope this helps!

If your washing machine has a sanitary setting, you can wash them on very hot. It always works for me.

I use vinegar in the bleach and softener cups.

Have you tried vinegar? You will have to re-wash to get out the vinegar smell but vinegar is supposed to cut all odors - i use it to clean litter boxes.

I agree with Beth..vinegar always helps.

~R.~

oxi clean usually works pretty good. dont buy the look a like though, its gotta be real oxi clean.

You might try washing them in warm or hot water with some Clorox.

I have done that and all I do is DRY them first cause rewashing doesnt do any good to start off with, then rewash them using nice smelling liquid stuff, then when I put them in the dryer again I use dryer sheets..makes them smell great!

I have used plain white vinegar in my forgotten laundry. It really seems to work.

Just add it to the water the next time you wash them

Good Luck

put them in the was with a cup of white vinegar. vinegar is the best thing to get smells out with. weird yes but it works.

heres a site with a bunch of uses for vinegar

http://www.wisebread.com/254-uses-for-vinegar-and-counting

A cup of white vinagerwhen you wash them. i do this with all my clothes.