Laundry smell... on clothes...

Question

Lately I have had a smell out of my towels and clothes, that smell musty and old, after I have washed and dried them. I use baking soda in every load, and vinegar for towels along with laundry detergent for odors, what else can I try to get that nasty smell out?? Its awful, when your fresh out of the shower, grab a clean towel, and it smells!! Help!!!

Trish Mull · Answer

I tried all that you have & this is the only thing that works! = 1/4 C alcohol (90%)- soak - wash as usual - it will remove that awful smell- front loaders are nice in many ways but this is one of the less desirable results -

Margita · Answer

Do you have a front loading washer? I had this problem and figured out it was the detergents I was using. You know they actually sell cleaner for front loading washers to get that smell out. Seemed like a scam to me. Sell 'HE' detergent and then a cleaner to get the smell out. Being from Germany we had front loading machines forever and never had this problem. I researched to see what laundry detergent was made by a german company and found PUREX. I started to use it and I have clean and fresh smelling laundry again. I also started to add the little freshener crystals with the laundry and they keep your towels and sheets smelling fresh for days and days. And a bonus, it is a lot cheaper than the other brands :)

Nancy Holbrook · Answer

If you have a front loader machine, never fully close the  door when not in use.  That will allow it to completely dry and you won't have that musty smell in the washer...

Tammie S · Answer

My mom has a similar problem with her kitchen towels. We've decided it's food smell/oils from wiping the counters. Bath towels may be body oils...? I was thinking that using the 'stripping' method that you use for baby cloth diapers may work...google diaper stripping...

Sandra C · Answer

1 use one cup of ammonia with the wash and it works for me

Jan bright · Answer

2nd rinse works for me.

Lana Booher · Answer

I started using washing soda, he detergent,hot water & 2 rinses,for softening I use vinegar & add a few drops essential oil, makes everything smell fresh !

Becky P · Answer

I have fallen in love with the blue Downy Unstoppables, if nothing else works. (the pink & purple don't leave as strong a scent)

Kat Tellez · Answer

If it's just one particular load of laundry it may be oil that isn't coming out. I would soak those towels in some rubbing alcohol and ammonia to break them down. If it's affecting everything you are washing, then it is probably the washer. Does your washer itself smell? Sometimes they can get clogged and grow mildew. If so, google how to clean your particular washer (there are different methods depending on what type you have). I found mine had a clogged drain hose, and water was still in the machine causing mildew. Replaced the hose, ran a vinegar and baking soda cycle (no clothes) and it's good as new.

Maggievanfossan · Answer

If towels don't completely dry before folding and putting them away they become musty. Or if damp towels sit in a pile before washing they get musty. I add 2 tablespoons to my laundry load, wash towels on hot water. Works every time.

Patricia Linn · Answer

I was told by an appliance repairman friend as a precaution to be sure to 1. Leave the door open after each use to air out and dry out. 2. Always use HE detergent. NO POWDERS! It can ruin the transmission and drum . 3. Run an empty load about every 2 weeks with just bleach and HOT water. We have 3 front loaders in our campground and these things have worked for us!

Sandy Straker · Answer

My front loader instructions state to use the cleaner/bleach only cycle, every 30 days.

KatieAnn · Answer

I have a front loader too. Only have had this problem with bath towels. Now I add Borax each time I wash towels it is also great to put in with underware. It's the good old 20 Mule Team Borax. The box says detergent booster, removes stains and neutralizes odors.

C Logsdon · Answer

Tide makes a deodorizer for front loaders. I use borax periodically, and it seems to help.

Athena Spanios-Tickner · Answer

OMG ladies.... Thank You so much for the response....
I don't have a front loader, but as the initial comments and tips came in, I tried them....
I just have to be careful because I live in the south now, and I have a darn septic tank, and have to be careful with what I use.

Besides the baking soda and vinegar ... I did try alcohol and ammonia... and washing them separately... I used to put in baking soda, vinegar as the water was filling, and after the first cycle added detergent (Gain)... then I have an option for a second rinse, which I always opted for.

So, now, I have used hot water on the towels.. in just alcohol and ammonia... gone through the whole cycle, and rewashed the same load with detergent.... They are in the dryer now... and the musty smell isn't as prevalent.

I just wish they smelled nice and flowery... vice musty..
I will try the Downey ...

This nasty smell has just been recent, and I just couldn't understand where it all of a sudden came from in the last couple of months..

Next, I will do like I do the dishwasher and coffee pot... just run it through, without nothing in it, and use ammonia, see if it clears whatever may be lurking in the lines... clogged water line or something to that effect.

But.... all the tips helped!!!!
Thank You so much ladies!! You gals are awesome!!!
Love HomeTalk!!!

Helen · Answer

Go online and get a product called 'Smelly Washer' and use according to instructions. By using a smaller amount of detergent should keep from getting this again. As far as the clothes and towels are concerned, I have used Borax in the washer along with your detergent to get the smell out.

MARIANN · Answer

I had a lot of trouble with smells. I started mixing the soap 1:1 with vinegar. Makes a lot of difference in the oder.

Debbie Stanley · Answer

Athena, I want to thank you for asking about this. I was having a similar problem and I do have a front loader. All these tips have helped me. I had done some of them, but since I bought my washer used, I did not have the manufacturer's info. and now I have some good advice on how to take care of it. Thanks again!

Marlene · Answer

Don't use Downy Unstoppables they are poison and you will not be able to enter any scent free areas such as hospitals, doctor's offices, some schools, etc... Research hydrogen peroxide 3% for the amount to use to clean the washer. I also found that squirting some lemon juice into the dryer on the clothes and then drying them as usual helps to naturally deodorize

Becky P · Answer

never heard that @Marlene about the Downey. Maybe just in Canada?

Allison Ulm Strovas · Answer

I have this problem if I've left the load in the washer too long after it's been washed or if something sits damp in the dirty clothes hamper. What works for me is both of these: a scoop of Oxyclean powder OR a scoop of 20 Mule Team Borax powder (which I get at Target for about $3 or so-much cheaper than Oxyclean). Whichever one I'm using, I usually run the cycle on hot water, put in my normal detergent and fabric softener, and after the washer fills, I let it soak for 1-2 hours if I have the time. This gets that smell out every time. Good luck!!

Gail Salminen · Answer

@Athena Spanios-Tickner you are right this is frustrating. I have used the scented downey and it works great along with using a bleach cycle in the washer without any clothes in it. As for downey, I worked with people with sensitivities to scents, there for didn't use scented lotions or perfume, and they had no problem with it and also had no problem with entering doctors offices or hospitals, and I am there frequently with my mother.

Melanie T · Answer

Don't use BOTH vinegar and baking soda in the same wash.  If you think about it, vinegar is acidic and baking soda is basic.  They are opposites and that is why they react so crazily when they are combined.  But the 'leftovers' from that reaction are neutral.  Soaps are generally basic--so baking soda would be your weapon of choice here.  Can you put them out in the sun for a day?  Or the rain and then the sun?

Woodbridge Environmental Tiptophouse.com · Answer

It appears that everyone is looking at the washing machine for this issue. IT also can be the dryer causing this problem. If the dryer vent is clogged it prevents the dryer from completely drying the clothes. It will also make the clothes smell if its a propane or natural gas unit as well. The heat is really the exhaust of the gas being burnt and if the air flow is not correct the combustion odor will make the clothes and towels smell funky. Check the vent system and see if that helps. Or try to line dry a load or two and see if the odor is gone. If it is, then look into the dryer a bit more.

Marlene · Answer

http://www.naturalnews.com/034617_fabric_softeners_toxic_chemicals_laundry.html You can check out this website for the dangers of fabric softeners. My son and I are very sensitive to these scented items so I know how they affect people.

P · Answer

Clean your washer once a week with a bleach cycle and hot water or use a washing machine cleaner. To remove the odor from the clothing/towels, I reduce the load size and use bleach on the towels and color safe product on the clothing. By keeping the washer clean once a week, I don't have to redo the laundry. You can also leave the door to your units stay open between uses to let them air dry.

Ellen Whitehead · Answer

Get some cheap lavender water at a dollar store. As you put your wet clothes in the dryer, spray them with a few spritzes of the lavender water. A natural way to make them smell good! I put all the clothes in the dryer, then reach in and then spray 2 or 3 times.

Helen · Answer

For front loading machines the 'Smelly Washer' product purchased online is the one to use. Along with using about a fourth of the detergent that you would use in a top loading washing machine. I use the Smelly Washer but I also wipe the rubber in the front at least once a week to clean out the drip track and wipe off the door. Good luck.

LeAnn Shultz · Answer

I know it is rare for people to do this now but, if you have an area, try hanging the towels in the sun to dry, you can even leave them out over night and let the morning sun dry them. The dew and natural sunlight helps to brighten clothes and aides in odor removal. Do the final rinse on your towels with vinegar, no softener and then hang them outside.

Irismccloud · Answer

Do you have well water?  It might be that something has changed with your water that is causing the problem.  Minerals in the water could be to blame.  Just another thought.  Iris

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Laundry smell... on clothes...

Cleaning Your HE Washer with Household Products

Homemade Laundry Soap - $28 per year

Suggested Project Book