How can I get rid of that musty towel odour? Laundry conditioner is a no-go.

What should I do if my towels start to smell mouldy? What causes them to lose their absorbency? We all ask ourselves these questions every day as we get on with the chores around the house. As it turns out, a simple wash isn’t enough. It’s also important to think about how you store and dry them.

What’s the best way to get rid of that musty smell on towels? You can forget about using laundry conditioner.

If you’re dealing with an unpleasant musty smell in your bathroom, there’s a good chance it’s coming from your towels, even if you’ve just washed them. So, where should we begin?

Your washing machine might be the reason your towels smell musty, especially if you wash them at 40 degrees Celsius. The fix could be pretty straightforward: every three months or so, set your washing machine to 60 or 90 degrees Celsius. Run a wash cycle and add white vinegar or a detergent designed for washing machine cleaning to the powder compartment. This will help get rid of any deposits and residue that have built up in your washing liquid. It’s also a good idea to clean the seals and filters by hand to get rid of mould that can affect the smell of your towels.

It’s probably best to avoid using laundry conditioners when washing your towels, as they can make the fabric less absorbent. In this case, a little vinegar will do the trick.

When you wipe, the dead skin cells and cosmetic residues settle in the fibres of the towel. On top of that, used towels have moisture in them, so in a warm and humid environment, bacteria, mould and other microorganisms will quickly start to multiply. So, how often should towels be washed? We suggest washing towels after three uses. If you shower every day, that’s almost twice a week. Washing your towels regularly is enough to keep them clean and prevent bacteria from building up.

If you can, try to dry your washed towels outside (preferably in semi-shade) or in a well-ventilated room. If you’re drying towels in the winter, it’s a good idea to put them on a drying rack in a room with fresh air or on the heating radiator in the bathroom, with the door open. Just a heads-up: it’s best not to fold or store towels that are still wet in the wardrobe.

When you’re folding towels, make sure you put them somewhere they can breathe. If you fold a lot of towels in a small space, the air won’t be able to circulate properly. That’s why it’s really important to think about how you organise your linen wardrobe.