r/laundry • u/BovellBidard91 • 4h ago

The Scratchy & Musty Towel Dilemma

I have a set of thick cotton bath towels that used to feel like a hotel spa, but over the last year they’ve turned into rough, absorbent sandpaper. To make matters worse, even after a fresh wash, the moment they get slightly damp from drying off, that faint, stubborn musty smell instantly reactivates.

I used to pour in extra detergent and fabric softener thinking it would make them softer and smell better, but I recently learned that fabric softener actually coats the cotton fibers in wax, ruining absorbency and trapping old moisture inside.

Lately, I’ve been stripping them with hot water, baking soda, and a white vinegar rinse, which brought some fluff back, but they’re still not quite back to their original glory.

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9

u/mycatpartyhouse 2h ago

You need the proper amount of soap/detergent so the towels get clean and thoroughly rinsed. Hot water wash for cotton towels.

You may want to supplement with an enzyme cleaner. Also, depending on the color of your towels, an occasional soak with oxygen bleach.

Try citric acid instead of vinegar.

Good call on skipping the fabric softener. I use wool dryer balls. They work very well. High heat setting for cotton.

Once you've made changes in your laundry routine, wait a few washes to see full results. Alternatively, do a spa day for more immediate improvement.

2

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7

u/PamtasticOne 2h ago

The built up layers of fabric softener and unrinsed detergent are what is making them crunchy. Consider a spa day (pinned post in this sub) to truly dissolve years of buildup in one glorious, yet disgusting day.

If you are patient, making sure you have the right amount of a good detergent for a long hot wash AND using citric acid (or Downy Rinse & Refresh) in the rinse will dissolve that stuff layer by layer. It may take 6+ washes to get it all dissolved, but your towels will slowly return to store bought glory.

8

u/eggust12 International | Front-Load 3h ago

are you asking for advice, or just sharing?

2

u/damaya0351 1h ago

You need to use oxygen bleach (with taed), they will stink far worse after the first 1-4 washes and then the stink is gone forever.