Musty Smelling Towels

[jkomoros]

Help! How do I get rid of musty smelling towels? I have been in The Villages for five years with no problem in my cottage. Now that I am in a designer home with a Roman shower, I am having increasing problems with musty towels. I am washing them the same, drying them separately and extra long. Some days I only get a day's use out of them before they start smelling musty. Someone suggested bleach, but they are colored towels. The guy from Munn's was in for their 6 month check, and I was hoping there was something set incorrectly that would help, but everything is fine there. Help!!

[gomoho]

I remember reading the musty smell comes from a build up of either detergent or fabric softener in the towels. I think the remedy had something to do with baking soda and vinegar. Might want to google it - sure you'll find a remedy.

[bespoke]

Try washing with one cup of white vinegar on hot cycle in your washing machine. Then repeat with 1/2 cup baking soda.

Good luck!

[applesoffh]

Never use fabric softener on towels. They leave a deposit which cannot be removed and the towels become less absorbent. As for the musty smell, keep the shower fan on for at least 20 minutes after turning the shower off. In addition, if you have the room in the bathroom, have a ceiling fan installed (that runs via remote control) and run it on low, which is what I had to do to alleviate the same problem. The air flow in the bathroom is awful, even though I have a window.

[kittygilchrist]

4 Ways to Remove Mildew Smell from Towels - wikiHow (http://www.wikihow.com/Remove-Mildew-Smell-from-Towels)

[senior citizen]

Help! How do I get rid of musty smelling towels? I have been in The Villages for five years with no problem in my cottage. Now that I am in a designer home with a Roman shower, I am having increasing problems with musty towels. I am washing them the same, drying them separately and extra long. Some days I only get a day's use out of them before they start smelling musty. Someone suggested bleach, but they are colored towels. The guy from Munn's was in for their 6 month check, and I was hoping there was something set incorrectly that would help, but everything is fine there. Help!!



4 Ways to Remove Mildew Smell from Towels - wikiHow (http://www.wikihow.com/Remove-Mildew-Smell-from-Towels)

4 WAYS TO REMOVE MILDEW SMELL FROM TOWELS

THIS IS AN EXCELLENT PICTORIAL TOUR OF VARIOUS METHODS OF DEALING WITH YOUR PROBLEM.

PLEASE KEEP SCROLLING DOWN AS IT IS VERY LONG........SCROLL ALL THE WAY TO THE BOTTOM, PAST ADVERTS.
PAST THE GUY BY THE WASHING MACHINE. AT THE BOTTOM IS A SHORT ARTICLE ON EXACTLY WHAT TO DO AND WHAT NOT TO DO. ALSO, WE ALL KNOW ALREADY NOT TO MIX THE VARIOUS CLEANING PRODUCTS.
GOOD LUCK !

[D&Lsunfun]

it may be the washing machine, about every 2 months our washers has a sour smell, i use the machine cleaner cycle with bleach and hot water and good to go.

[BobandMarilyn]

We used Borax for a while, but the funk came back. Are having good success with oxygen bleach (safe for colors).

[gomoho]

I am curious if those experiencing the musty towel smells are using front loaders or traditional machines?

[jkomoros]

I am curious if those experiencing the musty towel smells are using front loaders or traditional machines?

Top loader for me. And this is a new machine for us, with new agitator. Never thought about that. Will be interested what others say. In the meantime, thanks to all for your links and ideas!

[DJJohnson]

I have found that the new HE washers leave my clothes and towels smelling a little funny. Usually have to use the second rinse cycle. Doesn't matter if it is front or top load. These are the new washers without the normal center agitator.

[raynan]

I have a front-load and clean around the inside of the door gasket frequently with Lysol or Clorox wipes. On laundry day I also run an empty load after everything is done with just bleach and extra rinse on sanitize cycle. I do the anti-bacterial cycle in the empty dishwasher with vinegar also periodically. I used to work for GE.

[mac]

Check out a product called "washer fan" on-line. Designed to dry the tub of front loaders. I have one and it works. Drys out left over water in tub and door surround and thus prevents mold.

[Bonanza]

We have a new front load washer. After every wash, I wipe the inside of the door off completely. I've always used Tide powder and won't any more because I find some powder residue on the door and rubber gasket; it doesn't seem to disolve completely even though I wash with warm water.

Unless I'm using bleach for a white load once every few white washings, I fill the bleach dispenser with vinegar for every wash. After every wash, I never close the door completely until the washer is dry. Otherwise, I have found, the damp washer can hold a musty smell.

Another biggie . . . After each load, pull the large rubber gasket (on the bottom) out so you can see if there is any debris, pet hair, etc, clogging the tiny openings. I believe all washers are the same in this respect. We have pets, so there is always hair there and it does prevent the flow of the water into the washer (that you can't see). I use a damp sponge to wipe the hair and other stuff out; it removes more easily that by using my hand.

There are some good suggestions here. I'm sure if you try some of the recommended posts you will get rid of the smell.

[CFrance]

Do you normally use fabric softener on your towels? We have a designer with a Roman shower too, but we've never had the musty-towel problem. We don't use fabric softener on towels or sheets.

We also have a new agitator-less top loader, water efficient, and I always use the second rinse because I don't think the washing machine uses enough water to get the clothes rinsed properly, even with HE detergent.

[kittygilchrist]

I have a front-load and clean around the inside of the door gasket frequently with Lysol or Clorox wipes. On laundry day I also run an empty load after everything is done with just bleach and extra rinse on sanitize cycle. I do the anti-bacterial cycle in the empty dishwasher with vinegar also periodically. I used to work for GE.

wow. that's impressive. thanks for the tips. I hope you share them as often as you think of them.
Kitty

[vlm790]

I have a front load machine and always use recommended amount of liquid detergent. Have same smelly towel problem. Washed all my towels in super hot water with cup of vinegar. Rinsed in clear water twice then washed with baking soda. Never use fabric softener but problem came back. Did same vinegar/baking soda routine and now I do a couple sprays of febreeze for fabric directly on wet towels when going into the dryer. Problem has not been back yet. Fingers crossed!

[CFrance]

We have a new front load washer. After every wash, I wipe the inside of the door off completely. I've always used Tide powder and won't any more because I find some powder residue on the door and rubber gasket; it doesn't seem to disolve completely even though I wash with warm water.

Unless I'm using bleach for a white load once every few white washings, I fill the bleach dispenser with vinegar for every wash. After every wash, I never close the door completely until the washer is dry. Otherwise, I have found, the damp washer can hold a musty smell.

Another biggie . . . After each load, pull the large rubber gasket (on the bottom) out so you can see if there is any debris, pet hair, etc, clogging the tiny openings. I believe all washers are the same in this respect. We have pets, so there is always hair there and it does prevent the flow of the water into the washer (that you can't see). I use a damp sponge to wipe the hair and other stuff out; it removes more easily that by using my hand.

There are some good suggestions here. I'm sure if you try some of the recommended posts you will get rid of the smell.

Bonanza, can you say exactly where this large rubber gasket is located?

[gomoho]

So the front loaders are saving on water and you can wash a million pair of jeans or towels in one load, but what a pain in the butt the rest of the time. If you had to do it again - would you buy a front loader or a traditional machine??? Sorry for the hijack but curious.

[CFrance]

So the front loaders are saving on water and you can wash a million pair of jeans or towels in one load, but what a pain in the butt the rest of the time. If you had to do it again - would you buy a front loader or a traditional machine??? Sorry for the hijack but curious.

There was another thread on this a year or so ago. I detest my agitator-less top loader as compared with how well my front loader in MI got my clothes clean. It doesn't use enough water to get the clothes clean. I have to use tons of stain pre-treat and much hotter water. I can't wait till it breaks. I'll be going back to a front loader.

Others, however, love theirs.

[Bonanza]

Bonanza, can you say exactly where this large rubber gasket is located?

I used the term "gasket," and perhaps that is confusing.
From what I read, you have a top loader so you don't have that problem.
However, even when I had a top load washer, I would leave the lid open for the washer to air dry.

Anyway, in a front loader, when you open the door, there is a large flexible rubber "thing"
that seals the door when the washer door is closed.
That is what I was calling a gasket.
The rubber piece is flexible and if you pull it sort of up and out a little,
it is like a flap. Check in that area to see if there is anything clogging the tiny holes which let water flow through.
Anything that accumulates there (lint, pet hair, etc.) is what I wipe out with a sponge.

If I am not clear, ask me again!

[Bonanza]

Originally Posted by gomoho View Post

So the front loaders are saving on water and you can wash a million pair of jeans or towels in one load, but what a pain in the butt the rest of the time. If you had to do it again - would you buy a front loader or a traditional machine??? Sorry for the hijack but curious.

There was another thread on this a year or so ago. I detest my agitator-less top loader as compared with how well my front loader in MI got my clothes clean. It doesn't use enough water to get the clothes clean. I have to use tons of stain pre-treat and much hotter water. I can't wait till it breaks. I'll be going back to a front loader.

Others, however, love theirs.

Well -- it's the old story . . .
If you ask ten people, you will get ten opinions!

When we moved here I thought it was time for me to get 'modernized'
and buy one of the new front loaders, which I did.

To make it short and sweet -- I don't like it!
I don't like the fact that I can't use Tide powder, because I find some residue.
Larger items (sheets, blankets, etc.) get rolled up.
I question how can they be clean if that's what happens in the washing process???
Again -- this is me, not the washer!

Just as a point of information, my pair is a quality set -- a Whilpool Duet set on pedestals.
The problem isn't with the washer per se; it's me!
I just don't like it and would sell it in a heartbeat!

[CFrance]

Originally Posted by gomoho View Post

So the front loaders are saving on water and you can wash a million pair of jeans or towels in one load, but what a pain in the butt the rest of the time. If you had to do it again - would you buy a front loader or a traditional machine??? Sorry for the hijack but curious.



Well -- it's the old story . . .
If you ask ten people, you will get ten opinions!

When we moved here I thought it was time for me to get 'modernized'
and buy one of the new front loaders, which I did.

To make it short and sweet -- I don't like it!
I don't like the fact that I can't use Tide powder, because I find some residue.
Larger items (sheets, blankets, etc.) get rolled up.
I question how can they be clean if that's what happens in the washing process???
Again -- this is me, not the washer!

Just as a point of information, my pair is a quality set -- a Whilpool Duet set on pedestals.
The problem isn't with the washer per se; it's me!
I just don't like it and would sell it in a heartbeat!

You are correct about the ten people and ten opinions. We should trade sets! Mine are Kenmore Elite (made by Whirlpool, I believe). When I do a king-size sheet, even though I put other items in with it and make sure the agitator thingy at the bottom of the drum is exposed (as per the manual), it will frequently look like a frisbee top when the washer's done, totally covering the agitator and curled all around the sides.

And nothing gets as clean as it did with my front loader. I've read that it weighs the clothes and decides how much (make that "little") water to use. I've thought about throwing a ten-pound weight in there with the clothes so it'll use more water!

I thought you were referring to a gasket that was on all types of machines. Sorry for the confusion. Up north I always left the door to my front loader open and wiped out the gasket, especially in the summer. I never had a problem with it, but it wasn't as humid, and everything was inside in air conditioning.

And I do leave the lid open on my top loader to let it dry out (also inside in a/c). Just common sense down here.

[Rango]

it may be the washing machine, about every 2 months our washers has a sour smell, i use the machine cleaner cycle with bleach and hot water and good to go.

There have been problems with front loading washers getting molding around door seals and causing moldy smelling clothes. There is a law suit pending against manufacturers of these machines.

[Happy Snowbird]

I always put vinegar in as "fabric softener". It helps get all the soap out. May help with the musty smell.

[John_W]

15 units of a condo in Titusville were destroyed this morning by a woman who was trying to dry a wet towel in the microwave, true story.

http://media.cmgdigital.com/shared/img/photos/2014/03/27/fe/25/FIRE.jpg