How to Care for Towels With Vinegar

Have you ever had a clean towel smell musty after the first use? The constant exposure to moisture makes towels prime candidates for mildew. Laundering provides temporary relief, but mildew and its unpleasant odor quickly return when the towel gets wet. Disinfectants and fungicides help to kill mildew and keep your towels clean, soft and fresh. White vinegar is a natural means of accomplishing all these factors as you clean and care for your towels.

Things You'll Need

• Laundry detergent
• 1 cup baking soda
• White vinegar
• Drying rack
• Spray bottle

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Instructions

1. • 1

     Launder your towels in hot water with laundry detergent. Add 1 cup of baking soda to the wash cycle to help remove residue buildup from fabric softeners. Fabric softener buildup can trap moisture, leading to smelly mildew.

   • 2

     Pour 1 cup of white vinegar into the rinse cycle of the washing machine. The vinegar acts as a natural, effective substitute for commercial fabric softener by freshening the towels and eliminating static while also killing mildew and fluffing the fibers.

   • 3

     Fluff the fibers of the towels by shaking the towels vigorously, giving each one a good snap as you shake it. Hang the towels to dry over a drying rack or from a clothesline. Fresh air and sunshine will further deodorize the towels.

   • 4

     Fill a spray bottle with 50 percent white vinegar and 50 percent water. Shake to mix the solution. Keep the bottle handy in the bathroom to spritz towels after each use. This keeps them fresh smelling and prevents the growth of mildew.