How to Get the Funky Smell Out of Towels

Learn why clean towels smell musty and how to get rid of towel odor once and for all

You finally have a moment to yourself to take a shower. When you grab a towel to dry off, you’re feeling fresh, clean, and ready to tackle what’s next. That’s when you notice.

That musty, dank smell. Yuck. Towels can sometimes trap stubborn odors that refuse to budge, leaving your “clean” towels smelling “bad” after washing

Thankfully, removing musty odors from  towels isn’t hard. Let’s break down how to keep towels from smelling musty.

Why Do My Towels Smell Bad?

Bathrooms are naturally humid, which smelly bacteria and mildew absolutely love. Damp towels—covered with your body’s natural oils and dead skin cells—are the perfect breeding ground for these odor-causing microbes. A poorly ventilated bathroom only makes the problem of musty towels worse. And if you’re using a conventional detergent with added thickeners, it can leave behind residue on towels that contributes to microbial growth and odors. Similarly, using too much laundry detergent can trap dirt and bacteria, creating that musty smell on towels even after you wash them.