Cleaning expert Lynsey Crombie has shared a simple way to banish musty smells from tea towels that look clean but harbour hidden bacteria. The solution is a laundry cleanser added to the washing machine, rather than vinegar or bicarbonate of soda.
Tea towels are essential in kitchens, used for drying dishes, mopping up spills and drying hands, which means they can become dirty quickly. While washing removes stains and dirt, tea towels can still carry an unpleasant, musty odour due to hidden bacteria.
How to keep tea towels smelling fresh
In a video on her social media account, Lynsey said: "Let's be honest and hold our hands up, even I can do this, we're a tea towel abuser. Your poor little tea towel doesn't just wash dishes; it does so much more. So how do we keep it clean?"
When selecting tea towels, Lynsey recommended using Terry tea towels, which have a thicker texture than smooth cotton or linen tea towels. To clean them, she uses a laundry cleanser in her washing machine, saying: "It is just going to give them that extra boost, kill the bacteria and keep your tea towels looking as good as new."
Lynsey's followers have also found that using a laundry cleanser works well. One said: "I love Dettol Laundry Cleanser. I use it every other wash on its own." Another added: "I love the laundry cleansers." Someone else commented: "Thank you for the advice @lynsey_queenofclean was looking at my tea towels thinking they needed something stronger to wash them in."
How to remove tea towel stains
For stains, Lynsey recommended using white vinegar. Simply spray or pour it onto stains such as sauces or food spills. The cleaning expert said: "Liberally spray it on the stain and leave it for 15 minutes before washing."
Do not use fabric conditioner when washing, as Lynsey says it can reduce the tea towel's absorbency. For white tea towels, Lynsey suggested using "a big scoop" of bicarbonate of soda in your wash, which can brighten whites and leave them looking fresh again.
