I have been having washer issues and my towels are smelling musky/moldy and I would hate to replace them all since they are the good, fluffy ones, but I was wondering if anyone has any old remedies to get rid of musky smells in towels/clothes?

I was thinking of color safe bleach but I could not find any at Target when I was there this weekend. I was thinking OxiClean but dont know if that will help at all.

 

Probably a fabric softener issue? Febreeze works well and keeping a dryer sheet where you store your towels helps too. If you are storing them in your bathroom, the moisture from showers could be causing the smell too.

Edit, good answers here too:

http://www.wikihow.com/Remove-Mildew-Smell-from-Towels

 

By "washer issues" do you mean your washer also smells musky? It probably needs to be cleaned as well.

 

You're going to have to use real bleach, it's the only thing that will kill what's making the smell.

Completely fill the washer with hot water, then pour about a cup of bleach, let the washer run for a couple of minutes to mix. Then take ONE of your towels, use the corner or so to see if it will fade. It shouldn't because it's diluted. This is the same way that people faded jeans back in the 70's and 80's.

You may have to use more bleach than a cup, but it's a process.

 

I've used real bleach and it didn't hurt the color and got rid of the smell, it just smelled like bleach. Here's other methods to try.

http://www.wikihow.com/Remove-Mildew-Smell-from-Towels

The Vinegar Method

1. Put your towels in the washing machine, using the hottest water available. Add one or two cups of white vinegar. Do not add detergent, fabric softener, or any other products at this time. Run the washer.
2. Leave the towels in the washer and wash the same load again just as you would normally with laundry soap. Again, use the hottest water available. Don't use fabric softener or any other products.
3. Dry the load in the dryer using a high heat setting. Towels should be thoroughly dry when you pull them out. If they're not dry, put them back in, or move them immediately outside and hang them in the sunlight.


The Ammonia Method

1. Put your towels in the washing machine.
2. Add a normal amount of detergent.
3. Use the hottest water available. Do not add fabric softener or any other products.
4. Watch for the rinse cycle and add one cup of sudsy or clear ammonia during the rinse cycle.
5. Let the washing machine finish.
6. Move the towels out of the washer immediately. Fully dry the load right away using normal dryer settings, or hanging on the line on a sunny day.


Repeat and Soak if necessary

1. Smell the towels when you have completed one of the above methods. If the towels are not completely free of musty smell after the first attempt, try soaking overnight.
2. Fill the washer with the smallest amount of hot water necessary to cover the towels.
3. Add one cup of ammonia. Agitate for a few minutes and allow to soak overnight.
4. Add detergent in the morning, and let the wash cycle complete.

 

Stop washing your skunk?

 

can I do those methods even though I have a front load washer?

 

You should be able to, except for the filling up with water part. Does your washer have a "Clean" cycle?