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Original poster

Found wet towels outside

67 replies

Featherpink · 27/02/2025 19:15

I found wet towels outside in my yard. Probably there for nearly a week.

Any idea what is the best way to wash them?

Would a 40 degree wash do or should I put it on a hotter wash and longer cycle?

Or should I trash them?

OP posts:
MrsPernicious · 27/02/2025 19:53

Happens with my dog towels occasionally. Wash at 60 degrees, line dry and repeat. UV is wonderful stuff.

Original poster
Featherpink · 27/02/2025 19:57

I don't have bio powder. I do have some vanish.

OP posts:
Waterlilysunset · 27/02/2025 19:57

I wouldn’t bin. I’d wash at 90

TwoLeftSocksWithHoles · 27/02/2025 20:01

reluctantbrit · 27/02/2025 19:35

As hot as your machine does. Bio powder, Vanish and a laundry desinfection.

And then, once dry, set fire to them.

Also ask the local priest to make a visit with a BIG bottle of holy water...😱

JustGotToKeepOnKeepingOn · 27/02/2025 20:02

I'd just wash them at 40... not sure why there's such drama about towels being outside for a few days? They'll be fine!

Completelyjo · 27/02/2025 20:14

Featherpink · 27/02/2025 19:57

I don't have bio powder. I do have some vanish.

Vanish is a stain remover not a detergent.

How do you wash the rest of your clothes??

AlphabetBird · 27/02/2025 20:21

If they are still outside and you have an outside tap I might rinse them off outside to get any mud or leaves off, then wash them as normal.

verycloakanddaggers · 27/02/2025 20:26

A hot wash will be fine.

Barleycat · 27/02/2025 20:28

Just stick them in the machine. Why on earth are people suggesting you bin them?

AlisonDonut · 27/02/2025 20:34

I wash towels that the semi feral cats have and sometimes get left in the rain all the time. I mean, binning some towels because they got wet? People are proper fucking weird these days.

AnSolas · 27/02/2025 20:35

Low temp wash to get stains if any out.

The if 100% cotton you can boil wash at 90° as they wont shrink.

user2848502016 · 27/02/2025 20:38

Featherpink · 27/02/2025 19:57

I don't have bio powder. I do have some vanish.

Do a 60 wash with a pre wash.
Very wasteful to bin them before trying to rescue them first!

BrieHugger · 27/02/2025 20:39

I don’t understand why you’d bin them. What are you worried they’ve got on them?

RawBloomers · 27/02/2025 20:44

An overnight soak if they seem particularly mucky, then a long wash at 60 and hang dry in sunshine (good for getting rid of stains).

Pelot · 27/02/2025 20:46

Chuck some white vinegar to kill off any mould.

oakkiln · 27/02/2025 20:46

60 wash is fine although I'd be happy with 40. My lettuce grows outside and I just rinse it and eat it. I don't understand all the fuss with people saying wash at 90.

Just don't do an overnight wash. Very dangerous to run a washing machine when you are upstairs asleep.

Loubylie · 27/02/2025 20:49

Just wash them.
Being in the garden is not much different to being on a beach or a pool.

JaninaDuszejko · 27/02/2025 20:53

The world is burning while people throw out towels that have been in the garden for a week. Just wash them normally and continue to use them. Nothing bad will happen. FFS.

Pelot · 27/02/2025 20:55

You need 60 degrees for mould. Towels left out for days will most likely have mould on them.

BoudiccaRising · 27/02/2025 20:55

JustGotToKeepOnKeepingOn · 27/02/2025 20:02

I'd just wash them at 40... not sure why there's such drama about towels being outside for a few days? They'll be fine!

Yes but what about…what about…germs 😱😱😱 <faints>

Original poster
Featherpink · 27/02/2025 21:01

Pelot · 27/02/2025 20:55

You need 60 degrees for mould. Towels left out for days will most likely have mould on them.

I put them on a 20 minute cold wash. My machine doesn't have a pre soak. So I figured maybe a cold wash would do. Then I followed it with a 2 hour 75 degree wash.

Hopefully that will help.

OP posts:
Completelyjo · 27/02/2025 21:03

Loubylie · 27/02/2025 20:49

Just wash them.
Being in the garden is not much different to being on a beach or a pool.

A towel balled up soaking wet for days on soil is very different to lying on dry ground around a pool. They are probably covered in mildew

CoastalCalm · 27/02/2025 21:09

90 wash with some vanish pre wash in

onetrickrockingpony · 27/02/2025 21:11

60 and some napisan

deeahgwitch · 27/02/2025 21:12

AlisonDonut · 27/02/2025 20:34

I wash towels that the semi feral cats have and sometimes get left in the rain all the time. I mean, binning some towels because they got wet? People are proper fucking weird these days.

I agree.
When you think of what their ancestors had to put up with.
They are complete wimps. 😂