Drying towels between uses
Short answer: Spread the towel fully out instead of hanging it folded on a hook. A folded towel never dries completely and starts to smell after two days, because the damp stays trapped between the layers.
Why folded does not work
A towel on a hook touches itself on both sides of the fold. There is no air in between, and the damp stays put. That is exactly where bacteria grow and the smell starts. Even a good towel can begin to smell quickly if it hangs wrongly after every bath.
How to hang it properly
Spread the towel over a rail so the whole surface is in contact with air. A towel rail gives more room than a hook and makes it easier to turn both sides outward. Smooth it out by hand so there are no folds or squeezed areas where moisture can linger.
Choose a rail over a hook
Hooks are easy to fit, but they gather the fabric in one spot. A rail lets the towel hang flat and spread out. If you only have room for hooks, use two and hang the towel wide between them, or drape it over a door frame so air reaches both sides.
Give the room some air
The towel will not dry if the air in the room is saturated with moisture. Open the window or leave the door open after a bath so the damp air can escape. Just a few minutes of draught makes a noticeable difference to how fast the towel dries and how fresh it smells next morning.
How often it should be washed
Wash the towel every third or fourth use if it dries fully in between. If it does not, it should be washed after every use or every other use. The better it dries, the less often you need to wash, and the longer it lasts. Drying and washing are closely linked.
Keep several towels in rotation
With two or three towels in rotation, each one has time to dry completely before it is used again. It is a simple way to avoid smell, because a towel is never used while still damp. See our bamboo towels and find sizes that suit your bathroom.
Do not leave wet towels lying
A wet towel in a laundry basket or on the floor starts to smell quickly. Hang it up straight away, even if you plan to wash it afterwards. If a towel stays damp for many hours, the smell can be harder to get out again. The basket should only be for dry things.
How to rescue a smelling towel
If a towel already has a sour smell, you can wash it at sixty degrees with a cup of vinegar in the softener drawer. Let it dry completely afterwards. If that does not help, the towel may be worn out and it is time for a new one. See also Turiform when you choose.
Small habits that make the difference
Spread the towel out every time, air the room after a bath, and keep enough towels to swap between. These are three small habits that take seconds a day but keep your towels fresh for years. The same goes for bamboo bedding, which also likes to air before the bed is made.
Frequently asked questions
Why do towels smell sour
Because they never dry completely. The damp gives bacteria good conditions, and they cause the sour smell. Air is the solution, not more soap or fabric softener.
Does airing the bathroom help
Yes, a lot. Open the window or leave the door open after a bath so the damp air can escape. The towel then dries faster, and the smell finds it harder to settle.
Can you rescue a towel that smells
Wash at sixty degrees with a cup of vinegar in the softener drawer and make sure it dries fully afterwards. If that does not help, the towel may be worn out and need replacing.
