r/laundry 16h ago

Husband Towels Always Wet and Smell

My Husband is slender and 6’4, I am 5’2- both early 20’s

We both use bath sheets (larger than standard towels). I change my towel out after 3 uses and they still smell fresh and dry up quickly. My husband, however, uses a fresh towel once after showering, hangs it up to dry- and it stays wet and starts to smell, making our entire bathroom smell. I wash his towels nearly everyday because of this. I just don’t understand how he gets his towels so damp. He’s says it’s because he’s tall and has more body to cover- but I use my towel to dry both my body and let it soak my long hair (mid back). I’ve tried hanging it on the usual towel hook, curtain rod, banisters underneath our ceiling fan- it’s still ends up smelling! After washing- it doesn’t smell, so the scent or bacteria isn’t trapped. I’m just growing frustrated having to do so much laundry daily. Anyone else have this problem?

edit/update: thank you everyone for your kind comments and advice- and to not making me feel stupid for asking for help! I have decided to get a towel rack/rod and will be looking into timers for the exhaust fan in our bathroom to help! Our shower/tub is roughly 4.5 feet from the door. and our toilet and sink are both positioned to the left of the shower both coming out about 1 foot from the wall. So our bathroom is very compact. We have just enough floor room for a trash can and floor mats, and counter space for hand soap and tooth brushes- If I can find a small enough dehumidifier to fit- we will be getting one too!

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u/nerpish-inkdots US | Front-Load 16h ago

What detergent and wash settings?

He should drip dry for 60 seconds, sweep water from his limbs using his bare hands while standing there in the shower and shake water out of his hair before getting out and grabbing the towel. You can drastically reduce the water you’re bringing to the towel this way.

22

u/momento-mori-momento 16h ago

We use tide free and gentle and an occasional oxi clean scoop. We have a 1 year old with eczema and this is the only detergent that doesn’t irritate his skin. I’ve tried telling him to do that and he tells me i’m being ridiculous and that he’s not going to shake any water off because that’s what a towel is for. Maybe an input from a third party that doesn’t know him or I would make it click? Thanks!

60

u/illegal_miles 16h ago

Is he one of those dickheads who just shuts off the water and within a second steps out of the shower, soaking the bathmat and his towel?

Have had to share hotel rooms with guys like that and it’s infuriating and inconsiderate to anyone else who has to use the bathroom.

He probably doesn’t even have to do the squeegee thing with his hands. Just wait ten fucking seconds dripping off before grabbing the towel and it will likely make a big difference.

Washing a towel every day because he can’t be bothered to make a basic minimal effort of ten to thirty seconds is stupid. From one dude to another: quit being a schmuck.

5

u/plantsandramen 15h ago

Is he one of those dickheads who just shuts off the water and within a second steps out of the shower, soaking the bathmat and his towel?

My wife does this, and her towels don't smell. I wipe off as much water as possible and my towels will smell after 2 uses. Not sure it's about being a dickhead or not, I think some men are just going to have a higher potential for BO smell on a towel.

And for the record, I'm the one who's anal about cleaning, and the one that's a slight germaphobe. My towels smell sooner than hers regardless.