Have you had trouble with stinky microfiber towels?

[jenniferlynne]

I loved these towels when I first got them :love: Now they stink and I can't get the smell out of them :grumpy: I don't wash clothes every day (and I certainly don't do towels every day), so I guess they set in the utility room and build up a stink. Now everything that I wash with them also stinks :yuck: Anyone know if a little bleach will hurt them

 

[JAE]

Have you tried vinegar?

 

[Stampaholic1961]

Vinegar & baking soda work wonders on odors.

 

[Chefgirl2]

Are you using Dawn dish detergent? I used to use it and couldn't figure out why my laundry would seem to develope a sour smell. If I didn't do laundry right away all of it reeked.

It wasn't until I noticed my father wasn't using Dawn and asked why he switched did I finally have the answer.

I use Palmolive or whatever is on sale...not the generic for Dawn and now everything smells great!

 

[tiffnkaysmom]

Make sure that you rinse it out & then hang it on either the faucet or the center of the sink to air dry. I find that when I do that, rather than let it sit in the sink soaking wet, it is no longer getting that sour smell.

 

[PamperedChefDebi]

Try the vinegar!!

 

[DebbieJ]

Are you using fabric softener? That could be contributing to the problem.

Also, I never let any type of rag sit in a wet pile. I hang them all to dry before washing to avoid this problem.

 

[vwpamperedchef]

I know you are not supposed to but I put them in the washer and the dryer...even with fabric softner sheet. I think they are perfect. I wash them once a week. STILL LOVE THEM!

 

[DebbieJ]

Using fabric softener, even a dryer sheet, will reduce the absorbancy of not only the microfiber towels, but all towels.

I never use fabric softener on any of my towels at all.

 

[ChefBeckyD]

Are you using Dawn dish detergent? I used to use it and couldn't figure out why my laundry would seem to develope a sour smell. If I didn't do laundry right away all of it reeked.

It wasn't until I noticed my father wasn't using Dawn and asked why he switched did I finally have the answer.

I use Palmolive or whatever is on sale...not the generic for Dawn and now everything smells great!

That is so interesting! Ya learn something new every day!

 

[vwpamperedchef]

Deb, I just use a sheet in the dryer. Not regular fab. softener. In fact, I never used dryer sheets until I married. LOL. Strange.

 

[DebbieJ]

Dryer sheets ARE fabric softener.

 

[janetupnorth]

I vote for the vinegar too - use it ALL the time, and I mean ALL the time. It is a great natural fabric softener too.

 

[janetupnorth]

Here is a list I posted previously on uses of vinegar:http://www.chefsuccess.com/196693-post54.html

 

[PCSarahjm]

Dryer sheets ARE fabric softener.

I am like you I do not use any type of fabric softner on my towels. With towels I think it just moves the water around doesn't really soak up the spill! I can tell a huge difference.

 

[ChefBeckyD]

Here is a list I posted previously on uses of vinegar:

http://www.chefsuccess.com/196693-post54.html

This may be a dumb question.....but you are talking about plain white vinegar, right?

 

[reba515]

yup plain white vinegar.
I keep a huge gallon jug in the laundry room, gets a stink out from anything!
I use it more than I use bleach.

 

[reba515]

and it's cheap too!

 

[janetupnorth]

yup plain white vinegar.
I keep a huge gallon jug in the laundry room, gets a stink out from anything!
I use it more than I use bleach.

Ditto that - I have to keep a few around I use it so much!

 

[janetupnorth]

and it's cheap too!

...and ditto that too - I often get a few gallons when it goes on sale for 88 cents...


...and Becky if Micah is not done potty training (sorry, forget his exact age) it works well for cleaning the clothes for those accidents...

 

[chefann]

I am like you I do not use any type of fabric softner on my towels. With towels I think it just moves the water around doesn't really soak up the spill! I can tell a huge difference.

Fabric softener softens clothes by coating the fibers, smoothing over any rough edges. That coating renders the fibers less absorbent. That's why you should never use fabric softener (liquid or sheets) on anything you want to soak up stuff.

My sister gave me some info a few years back (and I have no idea where it is, nor where she got it) that fabric softener also tricks your body into thinking it's got more estrogen, which has been linked to breast and "female" cancers.

 

[pamperedposey]

yup plain white vinegar.
I keep a huge gallon jug in the laundry room, gets a stink out from anything!
I use it more than I use bleach.

Does it not just smell like vinegar? I believe you all that this works. It just sounds so strange. Who would have thought to try this.

 

[janetupnorth]

Does it not just smell like vinegar? I believe you all that this works. It just sounds so strange. Who would have thought to try this.

Use a cup or two in a load of laundry, doesn't stink like vinegar - water dilutes it in the end.

 

[dianevill]

Do you add the vinegar with the detergent or in the bleach cup, or in the softener cup?

 

[janetupnorth]

Do you add the vinegar with the detergent or in the bleach cup, or in the softener cup?

I just dump it in the main part with some detergent (I use a little less detergent).

 

[ConnieR]

I have invested in the "dryer balls" that you can pick up at Walgreens or pretty much any discount store. I do NOT use any softener any more! They cost around $10.00 but have been very pleasing to use. I used to have alot of static electricity in my clothes, that is why I used dryer sheets and liquid, but the balls do the trick, my clothes don't have that extra fabric softener smell either. I think the balls also have a guarantee on them. Try them, I think you will like them, not only for the micro-fiber towels but for all your laundry!

 

[janetupnorth]

I forgot to add in all this discussion:

DO NOT use vinegar in a load if you are using bleach!!!!
The mixture is toxic...


...just in case you all didn't know that...

 

[TwinGirlsMom]

I loved these towels when I first got them :love: Now they stink and I can't get the smell out of them :grumpy:

Do you have a front-load washer?
One of my friends was telling me that her towels stink ever since she got her new washing machines. She googled it and found out that there are chat rooms and forums with tons of people who have front-loaders with this same towel problem!!! They're still trying to figure it out, by the way...

 

[jenniferlynne]

Thanks guys for all the tips. I will try the vinegar. I use water and vinegar to clean our dining room floor, but didn't think about it for clothes. I just ran out of bleach too, so now I don't have to buy anymore. I can pickles and salsa in the summer, so I always have tons of vinegar.

 

[RebelChef]

If you like to use fabric softener, use vinegar about every second or third washing. This will keep the towels absorbent but they'll still stay soft.

I use softener mostly in the winter because my husband has to be outdoors on his job sometimes. It closes the fabric up so the wind doesn't whip through it so much so he stays warmer without the extra bulk of coveralls or heavy clothing.

Also, when you use softener, it causes the lint filter in your dryer to not allow good air flow. Every few months, scrub it with a soft toothbrush and mild detergent until water will flow freely through it. This will extend the life of your dryer.