Loving&Learning Posted May 29, 2012 Share Posted May 29, 2012 We have some towels that I really want to keep because they were a special gift for our wedding. The problem is that I had a load of towels in the washer that I forgot about and now I can figure out how to get rid of the odor. They are light cotton dish towels. Does anyone have any suggestions on saving my towels? I have tried vinegar, washing several times in hot water, etc and nothing has worked yet. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
West Coast Mom Posted May 29, 2012 Share Posted May 29, 2012 When this happens to my towels, I wash them on hot with detergent and vinegar. Works like a charm. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bluemongoose Posted May 29, 2012 Share Posted May 29, 2012 I have had this happen once. I soaked them in vinegar not very diluted for a weekend and then washed them....it came out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Forget-Me-Not Posted May 29, 2012 Share Posted May 29, 2012 You might try adding a Tbsp or two of bleach--enough to sanitize without discoloring (make sure it's well combined with the water before you add the towels). I used to do that when I cloth diapered and had stink issues that vinegar wasn't handling. HTH Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Word Nerd Posted May 29, 2012 Share Posted May 29, 2012 Washing in Tide with some Borax works for me, whereas vinegar never has. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
itsheresomewhere Posted May 29, 2012 Share Posted May 29, 2012 Bac out is great for that if borax doesn't work. Just a little squirt goes a long way. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Loving&Learning Posted May 30, 2012 Author Share Posted May 30, 2012 Thanks for all of the ideas on how to treat the odor. I'll have to try them one at a time and see if one of them works. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snickerdoodle Posted May 30, 2012 Share Posted May 30, 2012 Wax buildup from fabric softener is the problem. Stop using it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tap Posted May 30, 2012 Share Posted May 30, 2012 Wash in hot water and vinegar/soap and hang to dry on a hot sunny day. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FriedClams Posted May 30, 2012 Share Posted May 30, 2012 When this happens to my towels, I wash them on hot with detergent and vinegar. Works like a charm. :iagree: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fraidycat Posted May 30, 2012 Share Posted May 30, 2012 Vinegar. I buy it by the case at Costco. I use it in every load of laundry to get out any nasty smells (such as DH's polyester work-out gear), urine (I have a bedwetter), and/or musty towels that get stuffed in the hamper before they are dry. And of course, for those forgotten loads I double or triple up on the vinegar. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ErinE Posted May 30, 2012 Share Posted May 30, 2012 Put them out in the sun on a hot, sunny day. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mrs Mungo Posted May 30, 2012 Share Posted May 30, 2012 Put a little pinesol in a load and wash in hot water. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pbb119 Posted May 30, 2012 Share Posted May 30, 2012 I use 1/2 cup of baking soda added to Arm & Hammer w/Oxi Clean POWDER laundry detergent and that works for odors for when I forget about clothes in the washer (and for the cloth diapers). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
staceyobu Posted May 30, 2012 Share Posted May 30, 2012 Do you all wash with vinegar and detergent? Or just vinegar? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
applethyme Posted May 30, 2012 Share Posted May 30, 2012 Tide, hot water, and bleach. Hang outside on a sunny day and leave on the clothes line overnight. Works like a charm. This also works well on taking odors out of sheets. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KungFuPanda Posted May 30, 2012 Share Posted May 30, 2012 What kind of washing machine do you have. I think letting them soak in detergent with vinegar or ammonia gets out all of the smells, but this only works with a top loader. If you can't soak in your machine maybe try the bathtub? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gardenmom5 Posted May 30, 2012 Share Posted May 30, 2012 I've done that a few times. I just washed in hot water with oxyclean. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chepyl Posted May 30, 2012 Share Posted May 30, 2012 Our washer is in the garage, in the summer even an hour leaves towels smelling! I have a bleach cup, I just pour some bleach in the cup and it diluted it as it adds water to the load. It gets rid of the smell. If I over bleach, I wash again with extra fabric.softener. I usually do thos once a month. Our towles are still bright amd colorful! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baseball mom Posted May 30, 2012 Share Posted May 30, 2012 Do you all wash with vinegar and detergent? Or just vinegar? Vinegar and detergent Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baseball mom Posted May 30, 2012 Share Posted May 30, 2012 Washing in Tide with some Borax works for me, whereas vinegar never has. Vinegar usually works for me but lately I have been using Member's Mark detergent with some Borax. Worked great Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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