Mold, mildew and damage family: remove growth, accept damage
How to get musty towels out
No spots, but a sour smell when wet: bacteria and buildup.
Do this first
Hot wash with a cup of white vinegar, no detergent
Fresh stain
- Hot wash with a cup of white vinegar, no detergent
- Then a hot wash with detergent and baking soda
- Dry fully
Dried or old
- Laundry stripping
- Fabric care
- Dry towels fully between uses; clean the washer gasket.
- Time
- 2 washes
- How to tell
- Look: nothing; Feel: stiff; Smell: musty when damp
Where this fix comes from
We check every fix against these published guides. We do not run a test lab of our own.
Before you start
- Test on a hidden seam first.
- Never mix cleaners.
- Keep it out of the dryer until the stain is gone.