How to Get Rid of Mildew Smell in Towels

A clean towel should not smell sour the moment it gets wet. If yours does, the solution is usually a careful rewash and faster drying—not extra fragrance or repeated high-heat cycles.

Quick Answer

To get rid of mildew smell in towels, separate the affected towels, wash a reasonably sized load with the correct amount of detergent, choose the warmest water allowed by the care label, and dry everything completely right away. Skip fabric softener during the reset because residue can reduce absorbency and hold odor. If towels remain musty after one or two proper washes, inspect them for visible growth or fiber damage and consider replacement.

Start with a clean, uncrowded rewash

Do not mix the musty towels with clean clothes. Check the labels, remove any items that require delicate care, and leave enough room for the towels to move. A tightly packed drum makes it harder for wash water and detergent to reach every surface.

Use the detergent amount recommended for your machine and load size. More is not necessarily better: excess product can remain after rinsing. If you want a lower-hazard cleaning product, the EPA Safer Choice program explains how certified products are evaluated.

After the cycle, smell a towel while it is still damp. If it is improved but not clean-smelling, repeat a normal wash rather than masking it with scent beads. Never combine bleach, vinegar, ammonia, or other cleaning chemicals.

Avoid the dryer mistake that sets you back

Move the load to the dryer promptly. Select the heat level allowed by the label, give the towels enough drum space to tumble, and run the cycle until seams and folded edges are fully dry. A scorching setting does not compensate for poor washing; it can wear elastic, fade color, and make residue or odor harder to address.

The CDC's household cleaning guidance emphasizes following product labels and using cleaners safely. At home, also leave the washer door or lid open between uses when the manufacturer allows it, and clean dispensers and seals according to the appliance manual.

Know when a towel is finished

Retire a towel if it has visible mold spots that remain after washing, a persistent odor after two careful cycles, unraveling edges, or thinning areas that no longer absorb well. Do not keep experimenting with stronger chemical mixtures. Replacement is usually the safer, simpler decision when the fabric itself is deteriorating.

For towels that are structurally sound but were repeatedly washed in an overloaded home machine, a larger washer may provide the room needed for a more complete cycle. Review our self-serve options or find an open store on the locations page.

Reset a household linen set near Old National

If the whole bathroom-linen rotation needs attention, wash-and-fold service can remove the sorting, washing, drying, and folding from your day. Bring care-label information and point out the odor when you drop off the load; staff can tell you what can reasonably be processed.

WashLuxe Old National is at 5539 Old National Hwy, Suite A, Atlanta, GA 30349. Typical hours are about 7 AM to 2 AM, with last wash around 1 AM, but confirm current hours before a late visit. For questions, use contact us or call the commonly listed number, (404) 590-8054.

The best long-term prevention is simple: hang towels open after every use, wash before odor develops, and never leave a finished load sitting damp.

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