How Do You Get Rid of Mildew Smell in Towels: What to Try First and When to Stop
How Do You Get Rid of Mildew Smell in Towels: What to Try First and When to Stop
You stood in front of the dryer for ten minutes waiting for it to finish, then realized you needed those clothes dry twenty minutes ago. The dryer is not the problem. Your method is.
How Do You Get Rid of Mildew Smell in Towels: What to Try First and When to Stop is a common question for anyone dealing with laundry and fabric care. The short answer is that it depends on the fabric, the specific problem, and how quickly you act. Below, we break down what works, what does not, and what you should avoid.
The Quick Answer
For most situations, the best approach is to act fast, use the right water temperature, and choose a product that matches the fabric. OxiClean Versatile Stain Remover Powder is a solid choice for this type of task. The one thing to know: Less effective in cold water, so dissolve the powder in hot water first before adding to a cold wash. Beyond product choice, the method matters as much as the cleaner.
Why This Stain Is Hard to Remove
mold is a living organism that sends spores deep into fabric fibers, and the pigment it leaves behind is notoriously difficult to remove
white vinegar soak followed by oxygen bleach wash
Take the garment outside and brush off any visible mold spores with a soft brush. Do this outdoors so spores do not spread inside. Soak the garment in a mixture of 1 cup white vinegar and 2 cups water for 30 minutes. For colored fabrics, wash with oxygen bleach (sodium percarbonate) in the hottest water the care label allows. For white fabrics, you can use chlorine bleach if the care label permits. Air dry in sunlight if possible, as UV light kills mold spores.
An Alternative Approach
baking soda paste, or borax solution for deep-set mold
What to Avoid
Do not put moldy clothes in the dryer until the stain and smell are completely gone. Heat can set any remaining pigment. Avoid mixing vinegar and chlorine bleach, as this creates toxic fumes.
Our Pick
If you want one product to keep on hand, OxiClean Versatile Stain Remover Powder covers most bases. It is widely available and performs well across a range of situations. The one downside: Less effective in cold water, so dissolve the powder in hot water first before adding to a cold wash.
The Bottom Line
What ruins clothes is not usually one big mistake. It is a series of small ones. Washing everything on the same cycle. Using too much detergent. Skipping the stain check before the dryer. Fix the small habits and the big problems mostly stop happening.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it safe to how to get rid of mildew smell towels?
Mildew causes most laundry odors. Add one cup of white vinegar to the wash, use the hottest water the fabric allows, and air dry in sunlight if possible. Clean your washing machine monthly to prevent recurrence.
Why does how to get rid of smell of mildew happen?
Mildew causes most laundry odors. Add one cup of white vinegar to the wash, use the hottest water the fabric allows, and air dry in sunlight if possible. Clean your washing machine monthly to prevent recurrence.
Should you how to get rid of a mildew smell before washing?
Mildew causes most laundry odors. Add one cup of white vinegar to the wash, use the hottest water the fabric allows, and air dry in sunlight if possible. Clean your washing machine monthly to prevent recurrence.
What happens if you best way to get rid of mildew smell?
Mildew causes most laundry odors. Add one cup of white vinegar to the wash, use the hottest water the fabric allows, and air dry in sunlight if possible. Clean your washing machine monthly to prevent recurrence.
How long does it take to how to get rid of the smell of mildew?
Mildew causes most laundry odors. Add one cup of white vinegar to the wash, use the hottest water the fabric allows, and air dry in sunlight if possible. Clean your washing machine monthly to prevent recurrence.
Do you need to how do you get rid of the smell of mildew?
Mildew causes most laundry odors. Add one cup of white vinegar to the wash, use the hottest water the fabric allows, and air dry in sunlight if possible. Clean your washing machine monthly to prevent recurrence.
What causes towels smell like mildew?
Mildew causes most laundry odors. Add one cup of white vinegar to the wash, use the hottest water the fabric allows, and air dry in sunlight if possible. Clean your washing machine monthly to prevent recurrence.
