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Mumsnet Discussions: Good housekeeping : Smelly towels after washing. What can I do?? (14 messages)
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Contact the poster Contact mumsnet about this post By jellyjelly on Wed 07-May-08 21:44:41
I wash my towels on 30 with washing powder. I dont often wash with fabric softener.

They smell what can i do to get rid of the smell. I only use them once then wash them.

They are not that old either so I dont want to get rid of them.

Have also done a hot wash for the machine but that hasnt helped wither
Contact the poster See this person's profile Contact mumsnet about this post By Psychomum5 on Wed 07-May-08 21:48:39
do you have a washing ine...if so, hang them out......fab fresh smellgrin

otherwise, conditioner is the keywink
Contact the poster Contact mumsnet about this post By PotPourri on Wed 07-May-08 21:53:11
What about a pre-rinse (put on cold cycle wash) with some vinegar in instead of soap powder. And I agree, they would dry best on a windy line - get aired that way too. Good luck (this works for my nappies - which clearly would stink if they were not getting a good clean)
Contact the poster Contact mumsnet about this post By jellyjelly on Wed 07-May-08 21:55:05
I have to hang them inside but i do it upstiars so they dont smell of food.

They actually smell of sweat
Contact the poster Contact mumsnet about this post By Shitemum on Wed 07-May-08 21:56:40
I wuld wash them hotter and leave them to dry for longer. Then maybe hang them on a radiator to be sure. Don't put them away if even a tiny bit damp.
Contact the poster See this person's profile Contact mumsnet about this post By choosyfloosy on Wed 07-May-08 21:56:46
I would try them at least once on a hotter wash.

Then try hanging them over the windowsill or something, anything to get them at least partly outside.
Contact the poster Contact mumsnet about this post By PotPourri on Wed 07-May-08 21:57:52
Ooooh, if they smell of sweat, try pre-soaking them in a soda crystals, or bicarb - overnight. That is good for shifting sweat.

Do you use bio soap powder, eventually that is all that will shift stubborn sweat - the non bio just doesn't 'eat' it the same. You could buy a supermarket's own small box and wash them on that, then if you really want to avoid bio, wash them immediately with non-bio...
Contact the poster Contact mumsnet about this post By jellyjelly on Wed 07-May-08 21:58:16
what a go. 60C wash?
Contact the poster Contact mumsnet about this post By jellyjelly on Wed 07-May-08 21:58:32
That should have been i will give it a go.
Contact the poster See this person's profile Contact mumsnet about this post By ChocolateRockingHorse on Wed 07-May-08 22:00:51
Cripes, do others wash their towels after each use??! I just lay ours flat on radiators, (even if not on), along bath or even sometimes hang on the door blush.. but as long as their flat, they seem to dry ok and not smelly.

And then they get used again (family only!) for a couple of times!

Am I disgusting?
Contact the poster See this person's profile Contact mumsnet about this post By wabbit on Wed 07-May-08 22:01:29
If you have to hang indoors make sure that they are drying quickly enough. heavy cotton clothing and towels etc can get a faint rancid whiff if they hang around slightly damp for too long... Could this be your problem?
Do you have a nice big radiator that a bath towel will stretch over without being folded or crinkled?
Contact the poster Contact mumsnet about this post By chocolatespiders on Wed 07-May-08 22:02:46
you could put soda crystals in the wash....
Contact the poster Contact mumsnet about this post By Shitemum on Wed 07-May-08 22:03:24
I wash my shower towel about once a week - am I yuk?
Hand towels used by all get changed every day or two...
Contact the poster Contact mumsnet about this post By PotPourri on Wed 07-May-08 22:06:41
I only wash my towels once a week, hand towels tend to be a bit more though as DH works outside alot and obviously doesn't wash his hands properly as he makes the hand towel visibly dirty!!

Yeah, try 60C wash for this first one. If you can get the sweat shifted, then you should be able to get back to normal, with this as a maintenance occasionally. Hope it works


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