Quick Answer
To remove mildew smell from towels, wash them in hot water with 1 cup of white vinegar and no detergent. If the smell stays, run a second wash with half a cup of baking soda. Then dry the towels fully in direct sunlight or on high heat. Skipping the drying step is the main reason the smell comes back.
Why Do Towels Smell Like Mildew?
Mildew smell comes from bacteria and mold growing inside the towel fibers. This happens when a towel stays wet for too long.
Damp storage is the main cause. If you leave a wet towel on a hook in a closed bathroom, or bunched up in the laundry basket, it stays moist for hours. That moisture is exactly what mold needs to grow.
In cities like Karachi and Lahore, the air itself is often humid, especially during monsoon months. High humidity slows down drying, so towels stay damp longer even after you hang them up. This makes mildew smell more common here than in drier climates.
Detergent or fabric softener buildup can also trap moisture inside the fabric. Softener coats the fibers, which stops the towel from fully drying and absorbing water the way it should.
What Do You Need to Remove the Smell?
You do not need anything fancy. Most of this is already in your kitchen.
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Vinegar sold at any grocery store for a low price
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Baking soda, usually under Rs. 100 for a small pack
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Hot water, as hot as your towel's fabric allows
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A spot with direct sunlight or open air, or a dryer if you have one
None of these items cost much, and most households already keep them in the kitchen for cooking.
How Do You Wash Towels with Vinegar?
Wash your towels in hot water with 1 cup of white vinegar. Skip the detergent for this wash.
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Put the smelly towels in the washing machine.
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Add 1 cup of vinegar directly to the drum.
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Do not add detergent, bleach, or fabric softener.
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Run a full wash on the hottest setting your towel allows.
Vinegar is acidic, and that acid breaks down the mineral buildup and bacteria causing the smell. Research on laundry hygiene shows mold and bacteria are reliably killed at wash temperatures above 60°C (140°F), while water below that mark often leaves germs behind. If your machine has a hot or sanitize cycle, use it
How Do You Wash Towels with Baking Soda?
If the smell is still there after the vinegar wash, run a second wash with baking soda.
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Add half a cup of baking soda to the drum.
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Use your regular detergent this time, in the normal amount.
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Wash on hot water again.
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Run an extra rinse cycle to clear out any soda residue.
Baking soda absorbs odor instead of just covering it up. This is why it works well on towels that still smell after the first wash.
How Do You Dry Towels So the Smell Does Not Come Back?
Dry your towels completely, right after washing. Damp towels left sitting is the number one reason mildew smell returns.
Sun drying works especially well in Pakistan. Spread the towel out flat, or hang it fully open, not folded or bunched. Direct sunlight helps dry the fabric fast and also helps kill leftover bacteria.
If you use a dryer, run it on the highest heat setting your towel allows, and take the towels out as soon as the cycle ends. Leaving them in a warm, closed dryer drum after the cycle can bring the smell right back.
During load shedding or on cloudy days, hang towels somewhere with open airflow, not a closed bathroom. A ceiling fan or an open window speeds up drying a lot.
How Do You Remove Mildew Smell Without a Washing Machine?
Many homes in Pakistan wash by hand or use a semi-automatic twin tub. This method works just as well.
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Fill a tub or bucket with hot water.
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Add 1 cup of vinegar and mix it in.
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Soak the towel for 30 minutes.
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Rinse well, then wash as usual with detergent.
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Dry fully in direct sunlight.
The soaking step matters most here, since hand washing does not always reach the same water temperature as a machine.
How Do You Stop the Smell from Coming Back?
A few small habits stop the mildew smell before it starts.
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Never leave a wet towel in the laundry basket. Hang it up first.
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Do not overload the washing machine. Towels need room to move and rinse properly.
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Wash towels every 3 to 4 uses, more often in humid weather.
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Store towels only when they are fully dry.
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Run a vinegar or baking soda wash once a month to keep smells from building up.
Regular washing prevents the buildup that causes the smell in the first place, so you rarely need the full fix again.
When Should You Replace Your Towels?
Sometimes washing will not fix it, and it is time for a new towel.
Replace your towel if you notice black or green spots, a stiff or slimy feel, a smell that returns right after washing, or if the towel stopped absorbing water well. At that point, the mold has damaged the fibers, and no amount of washing will bring it back.
If you are shopping for a replacement, LivingT's bath towel collection has 100% cotton towels built for everyday use.
FAQs
Does hot water kill mildew in towels?
Yes. Water above 60°C kills most mold and bacteria in towels. Cold or warm water alone is not hot enough to fully remove the smell.
Can I use Surf Excel or Ariel instead of vinegar?
Regular detergent alone often is not enough for mildew smell. Use vinegar or baking soda first, then go back to your normal detergent for daily washing.
How often should I wash towels in humid weather?
Wash towels every 3 to 4 uses in normal weather. In humid cities or during monsoon season, wash them a bit more often since they stay damp longer.
Why do my towels smell musty even after washing?
This usually means the towel sat wet in the machine or basket too long before or after washing, or it was not dried fully.
Is sun drying better than a dryer for mildew smell?
Sun drying works very well and is free. A dryer on high heat also works, as long as you remove the towels right after the cycle ends.
Can I mix vinegar and bleach together?
No. Never mix vinegar and bleach in the same wash. The mix creates a harmful gas. Use one or the other, not both.