Musty Smell on Laundered Towels and Wash Cloths

RE: Musty Smell on Laundered Towels and Wash Cloths Post By Betty (Guest Post) (08/22/2008) I can't agree with the posts I've read simply because I have been getting this awful, musty odor on brand new dish cloths. I hang them to dry after using. I never had this problem until we remodeled our kitchen and now have granite countertops and a stainless steel sink. I'm wondering if it's coming from a chemical in either of these or from something they're putting in the fabric itself. It's definitely disgusting. Report Spam or Abuse RE: Musty Smell on Laundered Towels and Wash Cloths Post By Charlie (Guest Post) (08/21/2008) I noticed the same problem with laundry smelling sour. I narrowed it down to Tide laundry detergent. It only does that when I use Tide. Report Spam or Abuse RE: Musty Smell on Laundered Towels and Wash Cloths Post By Anne Cooper (Guest Post) (08/21/2008) Had this problem with certain items, not always towels though. I find a good "boil wash" does the trick... providing the item in question can handle the heat! Report Spam or Abuse RE: Musty Smell on Laundered Towels and Wash Cloths Post By Jellybean (Guest Post) (08/10/2008) It's the liquid detergent. You must use POWDER HE detergent. We use only powder on towels and liquid on the rest. I have started to notice that the regular clothing is smelling, so I switched it all over to POWDER and the smell faded after one wash and is gone after the second. I figured this out on a diapering forum. The liquid detergent sticks to the fibers of the vlothing and is oily and never really washes out all the way. Try setting the washer for an extra rinse as well and use 20 mule team for a while with the powder detergent until the smell is gone. Report Spam or Abuse RE: Musty Smell on Laundered Towels and Wash Cloths Post By BJ (Guest Post) (08/03/2008) Switching to granulated detergent is the key. You don't have to buy special cleaners for your washer, just stop using liquid detergent. The musty stink is gone! Report Spam or Abuse RE: Musty Smell on Laundered Towels and Wash Cloths Post By C.A. (Guest Post) (08/02/2008) I have tried the sanitize cycle with extra hot water. I have tried adding vinegar to the wash load. I have tried drying the towels on a rack in the sun, and I have opted to just keep buying new towels, as the smell WILL NOT go away and STAY AWAY. I cleaned the washer as directed (with bleach) and cleaned the rubber gasket in the front, and the towels STILL SMELL! They DON'T smell UNTIL they get wet (even just wiping damp hands on them once brings out the musty smell). I also always keep the washer door open. I use liquid Tide for HE washers, and I cut down on the amount of soap I use also. Nothing seems to be working. I can't find a powder for HE machines. Anyone know of one? I THINK I saw a Tide powder for HE, but not sure. I use scented dryer sheets, also. Problem still there. Report Spam or Abuse RE: Musty Smell on Laundered Towels and Wash Cloths Post By SusieFoo (Guest Post) (07/24/2008) I've tried bleach, oxy clean, extra hot water, etc and nothing gets the smells out. I will try the vinegar though. I have a brand new machine that does extra hot (sanatize). I even tried my mom's natural shaklee washing liquid and it didn't help at all. I don't think its anything we put in with the towels that causes the odor its just the dampness that causes it. I think the only way to prevent odor is to wash immediately after using...(yeah like that's convenient....) Report Spam or Abuse RE: Musty Smell on Laundered Towels and Wash Cloths Post By Lisa (Guest Post) (06/16/2008) I have this problem and it only started as recently as this spring. Never had it happen before. My machines are front loaders and can see where they could get a buildup in the washers black rubber. Have washed this out before. Also have used Borax added to my detergent. Used tide with bleach alternative and my usual purex. Always take extra time to dry the towels cause thought maybe that was the reason to? Also thought maybe my detergent reservoir needed to be cleaned must find the book on my Kenmore elite and find out how to take the thing out to clean it. Never have and I remember when we bought it the guy saying something about taking it out and cleaning it. Anyone know how? Thought perhaps because we live on an acreage that it was the well water? But we usually shock our well every sunday so shouldn't be that?? Am so tired of everybody smelling like an old stinky sock after a nice tub or shower am tempted to buy all new towels. But think I might try the purewash from smellywasher.com? Does anyone know if it does work? I sure hope so. I have been buying new towels and finally have enough new big ones in the house for my family of 5 and company when we get some. And now when we shower we all smell nasty. Do not want to have to replace all towels and facecloths they are to darned much money. Worth trying the purewash. Will let you all know if it works. Report Spam or Abuse RE: Musty Smell on Laundered Towels and Wash Cloths Post By grammie (Guest Post) (04/07/2008) One easy ingredient--20 MULE TEAM BORAX. It's a natural laundry booster. Can be used instead of bleach for whitening also. Just add 1/2 to your water. It deodorizes very well. It also softens hard water. Will also check urine odor in laundry. Have used this daily for years in all my laundry. Vinegar is also a mighty good cleaner as well! Fabric softener decreases absorption in your towels. Try washing your towels several times without the fabric softener (which I believe is made from animal fat?) It may be holding in those odors. Report Spam or Abuse RE: Musty Smell on Laundered Towels and Wash Cloths Post By Paul Flynn (Guest Post) (03/08/2008) I sell a completely natural washing machine cleaner at www.smellywasher.com / The reason that washers get odor is almost invariably because of overuse of detergent and fabric softeners. They will build up on the inside of the plastic outer tub and are a food source for fungus to grow on. Bleach will make the fungus invisible but won't remove it. This fungus is a health issue and won't come back if the washer is cleaned and detergent habits are changed. All the testimonials on my site are real. I have received more than a few emails from customers who state that their health problems or the children's health problems were cured after cleaning their washers. These problems include respiratory problems, colds, allergies and skin rashes. UNLESS YOU HAVE A MORE EXTREME CASE all that is normally needed to remove the fungus buildup is just one tablespoon of cleaner added to the hottest setting and no clothing. Allow the washer to finish the cycle. You may also re-agitate or soak for longer treatments. If you go to the blog page at smellywasher.com there is more information on the odor problem, use of smellywasher cleaner and also other advice on appliances. We are so confident that this will take care of your odor problem that we have a money back guarantee on smellywasher cleaner. THERE IS ENOUGH IN ONE ORDER FOR 24 TREATMENTS. Paul Flynn/smellywasher.com/ 952-465-6444 Report Spam or Abuse RE: Musty Smell on Laundered Towels and Wash Cloths Post By cyd (Guest Post) (03/05/2008) I live in Florida, and the problem is huge. I wash in vinegar, and they still come from the washer smelling musty. Report Spam or Abuse RE: Musty Smell on Laundered Towels and Wash Cloths Post By Lois Hunziker (Guest Post) (01/09/2008) I am a 60 year old farm wife, mother of 4 and grandmother to 10. Have done TONS of laundry over the years and have made all the mistakes mentioned, however, it's only in the last few years that I've had the problem of stinky washcloths that I can't remedy. Even purchasing white ones that I can bleach doesn't help--can't even get the smells or stains out soaking them in scalding hot bleach water. I wonder if they are using different materials or chemicals when they manufacture the towels and washcloths today. Report Spam or Abuse RE: Musty Smell on Laundered Towels and Wash Cloths Post By (Guest Post) (10/13/2007) I had the same problem. My wife and I had his and her towels. Same quality and materials. Mine stunk and hers didn't. I know men stink but this is ridiculous. I tried using her body wash instead of my irish springs. Presto. No more stinky towels. :) Report Spam or Abuse RE: Musty Smell on Laundered Towels and Wash Cloths Post By Buck (Guest Post) (10/01/2007) Bacteria is in the towels and the washer detergent does not fully kill the bacteria which causes the towels to smell. The cure is this; place damp towels in micro wave for 30-45 seconds prior to placing in washer also clean the washer out once a week with bleach or amonia to kill the bacteria in the machine, if possible wash the towels in hot or luke warm water and add a cup of lemon juice to the rinse cycle, my wife sometimes boils the towels twice a month or so, if you think about it the towels and the washer collects all the bacteria of everyone in the household continually and the cycle is never broken, even the depository that is used to cleanse our filth has to be sanitized, also wash out the dryer from time to time it wouldn't hurt, if the heat is hot enough you don't have to worry about it. Its a lot of work for fresh towels but it is worth it. Report Spam or Abuse RE: Musty Smell on Laundered Towels and Wash Cloths Post by cyntracer (1) | (09/24/2007) Contact I have the same problem with a mildew odor from waiting too long to wash wet towels (or clothes). I found that when I dry clothes and they are still slightly damp (unknown to me) and I wait a day or two to fold them (leaving them in the dryer) that can cause the sour smell also. Hot summer days are worse, but cold days can do it too. I did read some great solutions for those times when one of those smelly towels surface. Also, I found that if I leave the door to the washer open, allowing it to dry between uses, helps. Report Spam or Abuse RE: Musty Smell on Laundered Towels and Wash Cloths Post By c (Guest Post) (09/19/2007) I had this problem off and on for years and never realized it was because I was putting wet towels into my hamper. All you need to do is wash the towels a good 4 times in a row. I omitted the detergent 2 of the times and only used a small amount the other times. This should rid the towels of the musty smell and in the future, let them air dry better. My towels now smell fresh and I wash them as I normally would and don't let them sit too long between washes. Report Spam or Abuse RE: Musty Smell on Laundered Towels and Wash Cloths Post By Martha (Guest Post) (08/13/2007) Can you put vinegar and baking soda in a front loader? Report Spam or Abuse RE: Musty Smell on Laundered Towels and Wash Cloths Post by SBoisvert (1) | (08/13/2007) Contact My wash machine is brand new and my wash clothes still smell musty. BUT these are all great ideas! I will try the vinegar tonight. If this doesn't work I am thinking about getting rid of them all and buying new ones. Report Spam or Abuse RE: Musty Smell on Laundered Towels and Wash Cloths Post By Shelly (Guest Post) (07/20/2007) I have this same problem. It is worse in the summer. I have gotten all new towels and the smell has come back. I will try the vinegar, and baking soda. Bleach doesn't help it. I do use the liquid laundry detergent, so I don't know if the powdered detergent would be a solution. Report Spam or Abuse RE: Musty Smell on Laundered Towels and Wash Cloths Post by Stevew114 (1) | (04/11/2007) Contact I have a friend who repairs washers and dryers for a living, so I asked him why my washer smells bad sometimes. His answer surprised me. He said that liquid washing detergent causes that smell, that it "builds up" in the washer or whatever. He told me to switch to granulated detergent, and it would go away. I didn't believe him, but I did it anyway, and I was shocked when it did take the smell away. Using granulated detergent has its own issues, like getting all the soap to desolve, but as advertised the smell is gone. Report Spam or Abuse RE: Musty Smell on Laundered Towels and Wash Cloths Post By Hmm (Guest Post) (03/27/2007) is your husband named Scott??? Report Spam or Abuse RE: Musty Smell on Laundered Towels and Wash Cloths Post by airdoc (3) | (12/10/2006) Contact Musty smells from towels and clothing are caused by a mold that collects on the inside of your washer that is absorbed by the clothing. When a customer complains of a washer odor or mildew smell I tell them to order a product called "purewash" off the internet @ smellywasher.com. First you must clean your washer and then let the clothing soak in just a tablespoon of the solution. Follow their directions and the odor WILL NOT come back! They have a no questions asked money back guarantee if you're not satisfied. Report Spam or Abuse RE: Musty Smell on Laundered Towels and Wash Cloths Post By Krystea (Guest Post) (10/30/2006) Hey Rif, goodluck with those washclothes. :) Report Spam or Abuse RE: Musty Smell on Laundered Towels and Wash Cloths Post By Judith (Guest Post) (10/19/2006) Thank you so much for all the ideas. I will begin tomorrow. thanks again to all. Report Spam or Abuse RE: Musty Smell on Laundered Towels and Wash Cloths Post By sam west (Guest Post) (10/19/2006) what you need to do, is run your washer with 1 cup of vinegar on hot water, then after its done run it with 1 cup bleach, this should clean out the hoses and the pipes. I have the same problem and so does a lot of families. the hoses and pipes need to be cleaned out. no matter how much softner i use it still smells musty! i hate that. Report Spam or Abuse RE: Musty Smell on Laundered Towels and Wash Cloths Post By ad (Guest Post) (08/18/2006) Our towels and clothes started to smell because our washing machine had gotten clogged where water and softener flow through. Make sure all parts of your washer are clean and not clogged. Running the machine with steaming hot water and some bleach can also wash out your machine and may help. Report Spam or Abuse RE: Musty Smell on Laundered Towels and Wash Cloths Post By Carolyn (Guest Post) (07/21/2006) I gave up fabric softeners years ago because of allergies. I throw 1/2 cup of vinegar into every rinse load, I've never had any residual smell from it, and the clothes come out very soft. I also use a ball of foil in the dryer to help with static, along with 1/2 of a softener sheet if I feel like it. This has saved me a fortune over the years. Vinegar will kill almost any "off" odor in the home. Report Spam or Abuse RE: Musty Smell on Laundered Towels and Wash Cloths Post By Catherine (Guest Post) (07/07/2006) I add 1/2 cup of baking soda to my towels and just about everything else I wash. You can get a five pound tub of baking soda of less than $6.00 at Sams Club. Report Spam or Abuse RE: Musty Smell on Laundered Towels and Wash Cloths Post By Jan (Guest Post) (07/07/2006) I had this problem and couldnt clear it from the towels with anything till I tried boiling water on the stove and adding it to hot water in the washer. I have a very large pot I fill and bring to a boil, then add to washer with the soap and some borax added.This is all that worked for me. Report Spam or Abuse RE: Musty Smell on Laundered Towels and Wash Cloths Post by NellieMary (44) | (07/07/2006) Profile | Contact Could it be that they are not put into the dryer immediately when they have finished washing? If they set awhile before drying they can pick up a slight odor. Adding some PineSol in wash water could help but drying them immediately and not letting them set is a good idea. Just a thought. Good luck. Report Spam or Abuse RE: Musty Smell on Laundered Towels and Wash Cloths Post by susanmajp (755) | (07/07/2006) Profile | Contact I just read an article on sour smelling towels. It said that the culprit was overloading the washer and/or dryer. The towels didn't have room to circulate freely, and thus were left with a slight odor. While I don't really do this when I wash other loads, for some reason, I always feel that I can toss in one more towel or a couple of washcloths. The article made me stop and reassess the way I wash my towels. Report Spam or Abuse RE: Musty Smell on Laundered Towels and Wash Cloths Post by cailifouhnofthemist (28) | (07/06/2006) Profile | Contact use bleach in your towel load, also fabric softener in the rinse load, i also double rinse my wash, (just reset to the rinse cycle), sometimes still get musty smell in the older ones but not often. i change my face cloth every day, hang it up to dry after use seems to help as well Report Spam or Abuse RE: Musty Smell on Laundered Towels and Wash Cloths Post By Carol in PA (Guest Post) (07/06/2006) I add baking soda to my washer for towels in the summer. Also, I wash towels more often in the summer to prevent them from getting that musty smell to begin with. Report Spam or Abuse RE: Musty Smell on Laundered Towels and Wash Cloths Post By Dianne (Guest Post) (07/06/2006) All you need to do is wash them with a little bleach and they will smell great !! Report Spam or Abuse RE: Musty Smell on Laundered Towels and Wash Cloths Post By (Guest Post) (07/06/2006) just add some white vinegar to your rinse cycle...it will take care of it. and no, your towels will not smell like vinegar.1 cup the first time. any time there after you can use 1/2 cup to remove these odors from all of your laundry. Report Spam or Abuse RE: Musty Smell on Laundered Towels and Wash Cloths Post By Angelina (Guest Post) (07/02/2006) I leave my washer door open to dry out after doing the laundry. This may help prevent the musty odor. Report Spam or Abuse RE: Musty Smell on Laundered Towels and Wash Cloths Post by kattankerous (54) | (07/02/2006) Contact Yeh, Buff is right. The sun will help so much! Do what she suggested and let us know if it helps or not. I know I had to 'clean' my washer because it kept leaving a funky smell on clothes. I used a strong chlorine bleach in an empty wash and it cleaned the backside of the drum as it washed. Somehow lint, etc. builds up and it sours. I had used vinegar, etc. hoping it would help, but the heat and humidity would just make it have that smell again . And you wouldn't smell it but after the clothes or towels got damp. You can also clean your washer with a bottle of peroxide with the vinegar and baking soda... it will fizz up but its okay. Let it wash. Let us know how it goes~ Report Spam or Abuse RE: Musty Smell on Laundered Towels and Wash Cloths Post by buffalogal95 (12) | (07/01/2006) Profile | Contact Have you tried soaking them overnight in white vinegar? I would then wash them and add about 1/2 to 1 cup baking soda to the wash, using vinegar (again) in the rinse cycle, in place of fabric softener. I would also suggest hanging them outside to dry if you can. The sun and fresh air might help also. Hope this helps. Report Spam or Abuse