Towels seem to be such a utilitarian object that they could never need any kind of optimization. However, as they are worn for longer, towels decrease in absorbency.
Bring them back to their glory days with this natural solution for more absorbent, odor-free towels.
If you are in the habit of using the amount of detergent recommended on its packaging, which is almost always much more than you need, and then you add fabric softener to your towels, you are setting them up to lose their absorbency and even start to smell evil.
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How to keep towels more absorbent and odor free
That’s right, most of the time smelly towels are not the result of not being washed well enough, but of using too much detergent and fabric softener.
More is not better and soap residue can build up inside the fibers of your towels over time to ensure that they not only fail to absorb as much water, but that they also don’t dry as effectively as they should.
When your towels seem to smell bad immediately after getting wet again, if they don’t dry completely, it’s thanks to soap residue that is often the culprit.
What can be done? Follow the instructions below using just two all-natural ingredients like vinegar and baking soda.
What you need:
- 1 cup of white vinegar
- 1/2 cup of baking soda
- Hot water
Instructions:
- Put the towels in the washing machine and fill with hot water. You may want to temporarily turn up your water heater for this, or usually just boil some water on the stove and add it to the load.
- Add a cup of vinegar to the load and run a full wash cycle.
- Leave the towels in the washing machine and refill with hot water, this time adding 1/2 cup of baking soda. Run through another cycle.
- Now let the towels dry completely.
Solution for more absorbent and odorless towels
The “science” behind this method
The vinegar (acetic acid containing) dissolved mineral water deposits and dissolves the accumulation and baking soda (which is alkaline) neutralizes odors and dissolves the dirt and grease.
This combination should take care of the problem 9 times out of 10. If you are still experiencing bad odors in them, try repeating the same process above until it is over.
It is not recommending this method every time you wash the towels, only when you begin to notice that they have a bad smell even after washing them.
Tips for keeping absorbent towels smelling fresh
- Make sure to verify that the towels are 100 percent dry before storing them. Even a small amount of moisture can cause towels to develop a sour smell.
- Mold loves when towels are left wet. They should be hung to air dry after each use. The rugs, too, should be hung to dry, this will keep the towels odor free.
- Make sure you are not using too much detergent. Too much detergent leaves a residue, especially with high-efficiency washers that use less water which prevents towels from being more absorbent.
- Don’t use commercial fabric softener on towels. Coats towels with a thin layer of chemicals that make them less absorbent. White vinegar is a great natural fabric softener. It also prevents build-up, eliminates static, and makes towels softer.
- Make sure towels dry quickly enough after use. It is not necessary to wash them every time you use them, just hanging them to dry completely in a ventilated place is enough to use them again.
- This method is for both colored and white towels.