I don't know if it's because we live in the tropics or what, but our towels will often take a turn for the worse as far as smell is concerned. It's a smell that makes me feel like I never even took a shower. Instead, it smells like I just ran a few laps around the neighborhood at noon....in a sweater....while snacking on an onion.
The smell was becoming pretty unbearable and I was constantly having to wash all towels every week. Basically, each towel was used once and then thrown in the hamper due to the horrid smell that came from it as soon as it got just a little bit damp.
This was our life, that is, until I found out about a very quick and easy solution. Ever since I found this quick-fix, our towels have been restored to their original non-smelly quality. It was such a huge success, I wrote the solution down on a post-it note and stuck it above our washing machine. However, for the sake of keeping things pretty, I created the 4x6 card you see below. Feel free to print out and stick it somewhere near your washing machine.
This isn't a download. Simply click on the image and print to the size you prefer.
1. Using vinegar, which contains an acetic acid, helps to break up water mineral deposits and dissolves build up. This is great because, over time, detergent and fabric softener will actually cause your towels to become "waterproof". This means that your towels aren't absorbing water like they once did, nor are they getting as clean while in the washing machine. Bacteria breeding grounds!
2. Baking soda, which contains an alkali-sodium bicarbonate, neutralizes odors and dissolves dirt and grease. This is why putting a box of baking soda in the fridge and cleaning the tough stains with a baking soda-water combo is such a great idea! It also works great when trying to kill the odors living in your towels.
3. Once you've done both of the steps using hot water, dry your towels and make sure they are COMPLETELY dry before folding and storing away in the closet. Putting away slightly dry towels will completely undo all that work (all 3 steps) you just did. Following these steps all the way through should leave you with towels that have been restored to their fresh life again.
You should not wash your towels with this method every single time it's time to do a load of towels. Put this solution to use whenever you start to notice the funky smell in your towels. The Mr. is usually on top of the smell check and lets me know when it needs to be done again. Needless to say, he's a big fan of this "smelly towel solution" as well.
I hope you found this post helpful, and if so, be sure to share it with others!
Great idea, and really cute instruction card! Our sheets sometimes get a little musty smell, so I'm definitely going to try this! Thanks so much for linking up at Thursday STYLE! I love seeing your projects every week :)
ReplyDeleteThanks for the comment, Angela! And thanks for hosting a great party :-)
DeleteWe have a clothes line and I have always just hung the stinky ones out on sunny summer days. This is not easy to do during the winter, so I'll give this a try next time. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteWe use a clothesline as well. The weather is ALWAYS summer around here. I guess that's a good thing when you line dry your clothes ;-) I hope this solution works for you!
DeleteWe've had this problem before and this sounds like a great solution. Vinegar is so useful!
ReplyDeleteVinegar really is great. You wouldn't think it would great to use on bad smells when it doesn't have the greatest smell either. I guess moderation is key :-)
DeleteGreat tip! Pinning this now! I'd love it if you'd link this up to my blog hop--I love to see tips like this! Thanks so much!
ReplyDeleteThanks for pinning Carrie! I think I might have already linked up at your blog hop, but now I'm wondering if that was just my imagination. I'll go back and double check ;-)
Delete