It's truly unpleasant when a towel that should be fluffy and fresh starts smelling moldy and sour. You've probably had the frustrating experience of even freshly washed towels carrying that odor. The root cause of this smell is bacteria. A damp, warm towel provides the perfect environment for these microbes to thrive. Specifically, bacteria that survive the wash multiply again, producing the odor-causing substances known as Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs).
The Main Culprit: Moraxella Bacteria
The leading suspect behind towel odor is a bacterium called Moraxella.
This common bacterium resides on human skin and, while not typically disease-causing, it is the primary source of that musty, sour smell. Most of the musty odor you smell in a wet towel is directly attributable to Moraxella.
Moraxella rapidly proliferates by feeding on the proteins, oils (sebum), and skin cells left in damp towels. In the process, they produce sulfur compounds like Methanethiol and Dimethyl sulfide. These compounds are the main reason we perceive the odor as a mildew, sour, or dirty-rag smell.
Why Standard Washing Fails
The problem is that Moraxella is often not eliminated by conventional washing methods:
Washing machines using cold water often fail to completely remove Moraxella.
The bacteria and the odor molecules (VOCs) they produce, which are deeply embedded in the fibers, are not easily washed out.
Consequently, the bacteria that survive the wash remain active on the towel, causing the unpleasant smell to return shortly after cleaning.
4 Tips for Fluffy, Odor-Free Towels!
You can easily solve the sour towel problem using scientific principles:
1. Wash with Hot Water
Moraxella bacteria are easily killed in water over 60°C (140°F). Using hot water when washing towels effectively eliminates the source of the odor. Try boiling your towels or using your washer's 'hot water cycle' when laundering them.
2. Dry Quickly
A wet towel is the best environment for bacterial growth. Do not leave wet towels sitting; immediately put them in a dryer or hang them in a sunny, well-ventilated area to dry as quickly as possible.
3. Use Vinegar and Baking Soda
Vinegar: The acidic component in vinegar is effective at eliminating bacteria and neutralizing odor molecules. Try adding a small amount of vinegar instead of fabric softener during the rinse cycle.
Baking Soda: As an alkaline substance, baking soda helps absorb odors and can boost detergent efficacy. Add it along with your regular laundry detergent.
4. Wash Towels Separately
Towels may harbor significantly more bacteria than other clothes. To prevent the transfer of microbes to other garments and to allow for more focused bacterial removal, it is best to wash towels in a separate load.
Now that you know the scientific reason behind the musty towel smell, use these methods to keep your towels fresh, fluffy, and fragrant!
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