Tell me again how to get the stink out of colored towels?

[jmm63]

I've got a set of green towels that match the rugs in my bathroom, and I just can't get that funky smell out of them. I've tried hot water, vinegar, extra rinse, extra dry, no fabric softner etc and you use them once and that smell is back. Short of throwing them out and getting all white towels (those never seem to smell probably because of a little bleach) what tricks does everyone have?

 

[toggleswitch]

Lysol liquid concentrate which itself smells awful!

Water must be at least 98.6*F /37*C (at or above body temperture) to dissolve sebum (body-oils).

http://lysol.com/products/all-purpose-cleaners/brand-concentrate/

 

[iheartmaytag]

Is the "funky" smell more of a mold/mildew wet smell or New dye smell?

If it is Mold/mildew wet I would suggest washing in as hot of water as possible and then hanging them on the line to dry and air out. Maybe some sun and wind will help them.

If it's new dye smell. Several washes will take care of that.

 

[circlew]

Quat Sanitizer

I have used Quaternary Ammonia sanitizer to remove mildew odors from towels and other fabrics. I got Array Quat-Clean from GFS, but P&G, C-P and other brands offer them also. I use a large bucket or tub to soak them in. Follow directions on package as to how much to use, based on amount of water in tub.

You will find this product in food service and janitorial supply places. It runs about $30/gal.

 

[dj-gabriele]

Send them to the dry-cleaner and have them washed in an organic solvent and not in water, then, when home wash them in hot water, voilà! New smelling towels!
I know that's strange but try it for yourselves, it really works!

 

[yogitunes]

Lemon Ammonia...prefer Parson's brand...one cup in the wash with detergent and the hottest water possible...but warm usually works...regular cycle...all odors including ammonia will be gone at the end...o can extra rinse if you want to

 

[maytagbear]

I've had best results

with very hot water, (150F or above,) an enzyme detergent, and BAKING SODA---at least a measuring cupful.

Good luck,

Lawrence/Maytagbear

 

[rayjay]

Clorox Ultimate Care Bleach

Run the towels through a Rinse Cycle with a little of this Ultimate Care Bleach. It is not a strong as regular Clorox.

Let them spin out, then was and rinse as normal.

 

[mrcleanjeans]

Oxi Clean will do the trick.

 

[brettsomers]

Colored towels? I vote for warm/very warm water and a dose of borax or soda with detergent. Line drying sounds like a good idea too.

I wonder, is your washload turning over well? Is your dryer drawing bad air? Are the towels being hung up or balled up after use?

 

[mtn1584]

The dryer has more to do with it than the washer.....

Your towels are taking to long to dry in the dryer, and as a result smell moldy/funky when they get wet again, I had the same problem, check your dryer vent, it sounds like it is clogged to me, as far as the smell, it is a pain in the ars to get rid of, it always seems to come back, I would recommend a hot water wash with powder detergent, either Tide or Cheer. Let them dry outside as well.
Mike

 

[circlew]

If the odor is mold or mildew, a product with fungicidal properties is best, as you have to kill the fungus that caused the smell in the first place. Otherwise it will come back. Boiling them for a while should also work; but that may remove some color. Sudsman will know the trick to use for sure.

 

[nmassman44]

Try using borax. Works like a charm for me and its all natural. I use Borax with Tide Powder, The new OxyClean MaxForce tabs that i just love and warm water. Borax will get rid of most odors and it will leave a sweet clean smell in your towels.

 

[rp2813]

Let me take a wild guess. Is your daily driver an Affinity? Mine never uses enough water on a full load of towels. I end up adding about 3 gallons more by hand. The towels will stink otherwise.

 

[jmm63]

Wow, thanks for all the idea. Washer is a Kenmore front load, it doesn't smell so I know its not coming from there. Towels are hung up after use so they dry out, no more than 3 times before washing. Dryer has new ducting and dries things nicely, I even put the towels in longer after they are dry. I'm going to start off with the ammonia and line drying to see if it does anything.

 

[davek]

Liquid Lysol

I've never used it in the wash for anything, but I love that smell. That's a strong smell of a chemically-enforced clean that I always feel good about.

 

[peterh770]

Less detergent, extra rinse, hotter water.

 

[joelippard]

For me

Tide, 20 Mule Team Borax, and 160 degree hot water always does the trick.
That happened to my kitchen hand drying towels a few weeks ago when I'd let them go longer than a week without washing.

 

[gmmcnair]

Another vote for 20 Mule Team Borax....that and the Sears Ultra Plus with a good hot wash and line dry will take care of almost anything funky smelling that I have.