I tested three ways to revive smelly towels - one left them smelling properly clean

Why Towels Turn Musty

Towels are designed to absorb moisture, but when they stay damp for extended periods—left in the washing machine, piled up after a shower, or hung in a poorly ventilated space—moisture becomes trapped in the fibres. This creates an environment where bacteria can thrive, producing the unpleasant musty scent that often persists even after washing.

Fabric softeners can occasionally make the problem worse. As reported by Cambridge Evening News, Daily Post, Teessidelive, and Surrey Advertiser, these products create a coating on the fibres that diminishes their ability to absorb water. The Daily Express noted the same effect, describing it as a contributing factor to towel odour.

The Three Methods Tested

An author whose report was carried by all five outlets—Cambridge Evening News, Daily Post, Daily Express, Teessidelive, and Surrey Advertiser—tested three approaches to eliminate the musty smell: using baking soda, stopping fabric conditioner, and using white vinegar. Each method was described as simple and accessible.

Baking Soda

For the first test, roughly half a cup of baking soda was added to the washing machine drum along with the towels, and a standard warm cycle was run without any additional detergent or fabric softener. This allowed the author to assess the effect of baking soda alone.

The towels emerged noticeably fresher and smelled considerably cleaner than before. However, a faint trace of mustiness remained, particularly once the towels had dried. The method performed moderately well, according to the sources, but it fell short of entirely removing the smell.

Stopping Fabric Conditioner

The second approach involved ceasing the use of fabric conditioner entirely for about one month. The author admitted in the reports that while fabric conditioner is not ideal for towels, it is often used out of habit because of its fragrance. The coating it leaves on fibres can reduce absorbency, and the test aimed to see whether removal alone would solve the odour problem.

After a month without fabric conditioner, the towels were still less absorbent and somewhat musty. The method did not achieve the desired result, as reported by all five outlets.

White Vinegar

The third test involved adding about half a cup of white vinegar to the washing machine's fabric softener compartment and washing the towels as usual, without any fabric conditioner. The vinegar's acidity was noted as a factor in breaking down deposits within the fabric.

The result was markedly different. After drying, the musty odour had disappeared, the towels did not smell of vinegar, and they felt fresher and less coated. All five sources—Cambridge Evening News, Daily Post, Daily Express, Teessidelive, and Surrey Advertiser—reported this as the most significant improvement.

Which Method Won?

The white vinegar method emerged as the clear winner. The acidity in the vinegar helped break down the residue coating the towel fibres, restoring their absorbency and eliminating the odour at its source. According to the reports, the vinegar left no lingering scent and the towels felt genuinely clean.

The baking soda method, while helpful in reducing the mustiness, could not completely remove it. Stopping fabric conditioner alone proved insufficient, as the towels remained musty and less absorbent even after a month without it.

Practical Takeaways

For anyone dealing with musty towels, the experiment suggests that white vinegar offers an effective and inexpensive solution. Simply adding it to the fabric softener compartment during a regular wash can make a noticeable difference. The findings were consistent across the five outlets that covered the story, all of which described the vinegar test as the standout method.