Just add 1 additional ingredient to the sink
You can usually identify towels that have become bad because they have got a damp or sour smell. The smell can occur every time you use the towel, which will especially apply if it has not been thoroughly dried.
When you use a towel, you transfer dead skin cells, sweat and body oils to it – and in the long run it helps to nourish bacteria and mold. If towels are not dried properly and stored in warm and humid environments, it creates the ideal conditions for bacteria and mold.
How to give new life to old towels
To combat this, Chantel recommends using a good amount of baking soda. Before putting the towels in the washing machine, cover them with baking soda so that it is distributed over the entire fabric.
Then wash the towels as usual. With particularly stubborn smells it may be a good idea to run an extra wash. Make sure the towels are completely dry before storing them in a clean and dry place.
Sodium is a great remedy that can be used for a wide range of purposes as it acts as a neutralizing agent. That’s what British media Express writes.
This means that baking soda helps absorb the oils that sit in the towels and contribute to the unwanted smells. Sodium works by neutralizing the sour compounds that cause odor.
The odor molecules are broken down by baking soda, either making them less smelling – or removing them completely. In addition, this method has also been found to be very effective against smells such as smoke, sweat and vomiting.