White vinegar proved the most effective method for removing musty odours from towels in a hands-on comparison of three common laundry approaches. The test, carried out by lifestyle reporter Sophie Harris, saw white vinegar eliminate the smell entirely, while baking soda and dropping fabric conditioner produced only partial results.
Why towels develop musty smells
Towels are designed to absorb moisture, which means they can develop a musty odour over time. When towels remain damp for extended periods—whether left in the washing machine, stacked after use, or hung in an area with poor air circulation—moisture becomes trapped within the fibres. This creates an ideal environment for bacteria, leading to the unpleasant smell that often lingers even after washing.
Fabric conditioners can sometimes make the problem worse by leaving a coating on the fibres, which reduces their ability to absorb water. Harris tested three methods: using baking soda, abandoning fabric conditioner, and using white vinegar.
Baking soda and fabric conditioner results
For the baking soda trial, Harris placed roughly half a cup of baking soda into the washing machine drum with the towels and ran a standard warm cycle, leaving out detergent and fabric conditioner. The towels emerged noticeably fresher and smelt considerably cleaner, but a faint hint of mustiness remained, especially after drying. The method performed reasonably well but did not eliminate the odour entirely.
In the second trial, Harris stopped using fabric conditioner entirely for about one month when laundering towels. The change was clear, but it failed to produce the desired outcome—the towels remained less absorbent and faintly musty.
White vinegar as the clear winner
For the third method, Harris added roughly half a cup of white vinegar to the washing machine's fabric softener compartment and laundered the towels as normal without fabric conditioner. The acidity breaks down residues in the fabric, and after the towels were thoroughly dry, the musty smell had vanished, with no vinegar scent remaining. The towels also felt fresher and less coated, a noticeable improvement.
