Help! My Towels Stink

[Happy Momma]

So, I did a load of laundry- towels- and forgot about it.  For several days.  I rewashed the towels and dried them but they had that funny "I need to be washed" smell even though I just washed them.  I have rewashed and rewashed them but they still stink.

Any suggestions?

[Candid Carrie]

I am the queen of all things laundry!  Please, come meet me next to the Tide w/Bleach. 

I would start trying to use your hottest water possible and then add about a half cup of baking soda along with your detergent.  Make sure it gets a chance to swish around good and then just leave it sit overnight and then continue the cycle. 

I actually have girlfriends bring stains over for me for assistance, I am THAT good.

[yayamommy]

Wow! I the same problem with a stinky in general washing machine--especially if it get humid in the laundry room.  I think Carrie's suggestion on baking soda  is the way to go.  That baking soda will take out the worst smelly smells. 
I also use oxyclean and it works like a charm.

If all else fails--bleach the suckers but don't forget the downy or they'll turn into cardboard. Of course it'll kill the color, so you could always put rubber bands around them and 'tie dye' them and give 'em to the kids. Then you can go buy pretty new ones for yourself!!!

[Candid Carrie]

I don't use fabric softeners on towels, it totaly takes the "suck up" factor out of them and makes them less thirsty and absorbant. 

I'd rather wrap a "crisp" towel around my torso and have it absorb than be wrapped in snuggly goodness and wait. 

But that is just me.

[yayamommy]

You know I never thought about that before.  I just always liked the smell of the fabric softener--forgot about the drying properties of a towel. 
Well, with the only addiction I have left--sunbathing--I suppose less suck up on the towels would be best for my lizard-like skin.  That combined with the layer of baby oil I sloth on in the shower probably gurantees that my towels don't do diddly squat for drying

[Happy Momma]

I am definitely going to try the baking soda!

And I had never thought about not using a fabric softner with my towels either.  Makes perfect sense though.

 

[Aimee]

ughhh i hate it when towels stink!!!  My inlaws towels smell like pee-i hate it, nad i never remember to pack my own when we go visit!

[Candid Carrie]

I know exactly what you mean, too.  My mom's towels stink to high heaven.  Then when I dry dishes there and they get a little bit wet ... gross.

[Happy Momma]

Sometimes my kitchen towels to that too even if it is a fresh towel.  Why does that happen?

[Candid Carrie]

Bacteria stinks. 

Sometimes laundry starts to stink when the rinse cycle is inadequate.  Before I could afford new applicances I double rinsed everything to make sure it was clean.

[yayamommy]

I am so gagged by stinky towels and bad appliances!  My laundry room has been stinky for a couple of weeks and I just thought is was the humidity creeping in.  Now I don't know. 

UGH!   scaredASAP I am buying new appliances AND new towels.  Too bad asap won't be until 2010!

looks like i'll need some baking soda and double rinses......sigh.......

[Candid Carrie]

Sorry about the stinky laundry room.  Maybe your machine doesn't drain fully or their could be a puddle of dirty water trapped in a rim somewhere that is spewing stench. 

[Aimee]

At least you have a laundry room..I have a washer and dryer, but no hook ups. it sucks. good thing we're moving in a couple of weeks!

[Happy Momma]

Candid Carrie- I just wanted to let you know that my towels have never smelled better.  I am emptying my closet of all of my towels and washing them that way.  And no fabric softener- it makes such a difference.

So, now- I think I should send you some of my daughters clothes so you can work your magic stain removing power on them.

[Candid Carrie]

That is me, saving the world one stinky towel at a time.  Here's a stain tip ... if you are not sure if you are going to get it out completely, CHECK IT before you shoot it into the dryer.  The dryer will just reinforce and set the stain even further.  If I am unsure of the status of a grease stain, I will let the item air dry and give it the once over.  I would rather wash something twice than dry it once and "set" that stain.

Oh, if only weight loss would be as easy as stain removal.  I would have a smokin' hot body in some really clean clothes.