Say Goodbye To Musty Towels: How To Keep Them Smelling Fresh Out Of The Closet

Picking up a fresh towel from the linen closet only for it to smell musty is annoying enough; it's worse when you know you just washed it. Most of the time, the culprit is either moisture or how you wash the towels. So the fix is simple: Put away towels only when they are completely dry and don't cram your closet chock-full of linens.

These simple tips work because most musty smells come down to lingering moisture. If you're storing towels when they are even slightly damp, they can develop bacteria and eventually mold, giving off that musty smell you dislike so much. The same thing happens when you leave used towels sitting too long before washing them, or when you let the washed ones sit in the dryer instead of removing them pronto.

However, if you're certain moisture isn't the problem, your laundry methods might be. Wondering how to know the difference? If your towels are stiff after washing, you're probably breaking this unspoken rule: using too much laundry detergent. Or, you may be using fabric softener while washing your towels. This leads to your towels developing a scratchy texture because both detergent and softener can leave residue behind. Further, this invites mold spores to set up shop. Another culprit could be your appliance itself if your washing machine is filled with mold. In such scenarios, wash your musty towels in hot water to dissolve the odor-causing oils and residue, then use the tips below to keep the smell from coming back.

Though you might not spare it much thought, there's a right and a wrong way to hang your towels. Use a dedicated rack and hang your towels separately to ensure they all get optimal air and can dry completely. And while hooks are more aesthetically pleasing, bunched towels can remain damp and develop that musty smell. The location matters as well. Wherever you hang them, make sure there's ample airflow, so the humidity and moisture have somewhere to go. This makes your poorly ventilated bathroom a no-go. Specifically, hanging them next to the shower is a big no — no matter how clever and convenient you find it. It's because moisture from the shower can cause bacteria to establish a stronghold, so keep your towels at least a few feet away from the shower if you can't put them in any other spot besides the bathroom.

However, if it's possible, try hanging them out to dry in the sun (check your HOA's guidelines first), as it can kill off any mold spores that might be developing on your towels. Whichever spot you pick, make sure your towels are completely dry before you put them away. Once they are fully dry, you can store them in your linen closet (you can even try implementing stylish towel storage ideas for the bathroom if ventilation isn't an issue). But don't overpack your closet, as this can reduce ventilation, especially if there is already other stuff in there. And poor ventilation will give way to that moldy smell, bringing you back where you started. To keep that from happening, dry them fully and give them room to breathe — and your towels will stay fresh for longer.