How to keep towels free of odour
Short answer: Smells in towels come from moisture that stays in the fabric. Hang them unfolded over a rail, and that solves most cases without you needing to wash more often.
The smell comes from moisture
A towel that smells musty is rarely dirty in the usual sense. The smell develops when the fabric stays damp for hours, most often in the middle of a folded towel or in a bathroom without ventilation. So the answer is rarely to wash more, but to make sure the towel dries completely every time.
Unfolded rather than folded
A towel hung double never dries completely in the middle. That is where the smell starts. Hang it at full width over a rail so air can reach both sides. A hook is handy, but it bunches the fabric into a lump that holds moisture. See bamboo towels.
Ventilation in the bathroom
Without ventilation, no towel dries properly, however it hangs. Open the window or leave the door open after a shower so the damp air can escape. If you have an extractor fan, let it run for a while after showering. The faster the air dries, the faster the towels dry.
Fabric softener holds on to smells
The film from fabric softener traps odours instead of releasing them in the wash. It also makes the towel less absorbent, so it takes longer to dry. Skip softener on towels altogether. If you have used it before, wash them a couple of times without. Read more about washing and care.
Get the detergent dose right
Too much detergent stays in the fibres and traps odour in the same way as softener. Towels are rarely very dirty, so they need less soap than you might think. Dose according to the load and choose an extra rinse. That way the residue comes out completely and the towel smells neutral afterwards.
A hot wash resets it
A wash at 60 degrees now and then removes the smell that has settled in the fibres. It is especially useful if a towel has stayed damp for too long. Do not do it every time, as high heat wears the fibres over time. Always check the care label first. See home and homewear in bamboo.
A towel for each person
If several people share one towel, it never dries, because it is used again before it has had time to dry. Give each person their own towel and their own place to hang it. The same goes for hand towels, which should be changed more often when many people use them. See bamboo bedding.
Do not put them in the basket wet
A wet towel in the laundry basket starts to smell within hours and can pass the smell on to other clothes. Hang it up and let it dry before it goes in the basket. The same applies to gym towels, which should not be left in your bag. Take them out as soon as you get home.
In short
Towel smells are about moisture. Hang towels unfolded, air out the bathroom and give each person their own. Skip the softener, go easy on the detergent and never put a wet towel in the basket. A wash at 60 degrees now and then resets any smell that still manages to settle in.
Frequently asked questions
Why do my towels smell?
Because they do not dry completely between uses. Hang them unfolded over a rail and make sure the bathroom is aired out after showering.
Does washing more often help?
Rarely. The problem is drying, not frequency. A towel that dries completely each time can be used several times before it needs washing.
Can a hot wash remove the smell?
Yes. A wash at 60 degrees now and then resets the smell that has settled in the fibres. Do not do it every time, though, as high heat causes wear.
See our range of bamboo towels.
