Musty towel smells are a common problem, often caused by lingering moisture allowing mildew to grow in damp, poorly ventilated conditions. While regular washing, thorough drying, and sunlight exposure can help prevent and remove odors, many people still struggle with that lingering smell. According to cleaning expert Mary Futher, known as Madame Sweat on social media, the issue might be how you’re washing your towels.
Madame Sweat, known for her cleaning and hygiene tips, has previously shared advice on laundry, such as how long clothes can stay in the washing machine before they start to smell. Now, she’s tackling the musty towel problem head-on.
In a viral video, she explains that the key to eliminating mildew smells is not just using detergent, but changing the alkalinity of the water. “There is a kitchen ingredient you can use, but most people use it wrong. The key to getting rid of that mildew is to change the alkalinity of your water combined with the detergent,” she states.
The simple solution? Adding baking soda to your washing machine before adding your clothes. “So the first key is put one cup of baking soda. Yes. Then add in the clothes. Don’t pour the baking soda on top of the clothes. That’s the key. It would help if you made sure that water is very alkaline. Then you put the detergent in so you boost the efficacy of the detergent. Then you take those towels out, dry them, smell them. No more mildew,” she explains.
This inexpensive trick, using baking soda readily available for just a few pounds on Amazon, has garnered praise from TikTok users who were amazed by its effectiveness. While some users suggested vinegar as an alternative, the consensus is that preventing mildew through proper storage and ventilation is key to keeping towels fresh and odor-free.
Remember, a little baking soda can go a long way in making your towels smell fresh and clean. Just remember to add it to the washing machine before your clothes to effectively change the water’s pH and eliminate that musty odor for good.
