my boyfriend always complains that the clean laundry, mostly the towels, have a moldy or old smell to them. Once the towels are used every day to dry our hands and are a little damp he says they seem to smell like they have sat in the washer for a few days until they were put in the dryer.

curlybenswife

Is your washer pumping out properly?? admitedly if i dont put the washed stuff straight into the dryer it does start to smell after a day ive gotten into the habbit of if i forget ive done a wash and leave it over night i re wash it because i hate the fousty smell that occurs.

alkalineangel

I agree and towels are especially bad, the material is thicker and harder to dry.. Try re-washing it a couple times and see if it helps. Also, make sure they dry all the way in the dryer. If there are too many towels in there they wont dry completely and could mildew...

Matt3046

Use a good quality detergent, I like the Tide with Fabrez.

curlybenswife

Detergent will only mask the smell untill the towels are used and made wet they just need a dam good washing and a thorough drying.

alkalineangel

although the tide with fabreeze does smell lovely...

cruzen7

This used to happen to me frequently while in college, because I lived with slobs. It is MOLD. Not the killer kind, but mold nonetheless. You'll need to wash them in the hottest water setting WITH BLEACH OR BLEACH ALTERNATIVE. Then you IMMEDIATELY need to put them in the dryer on the hottest setting. Yes, they'll shrink a bit but they sure smell good. If they're older towels, make a trip to pick up some more, only after you try my solution. If it works, you're in the clear. If not, the mold is too entrenched in the material and it's pointless to try.

Chameleon

try adding white vinegar to your wash. The smell will fade as they dry and it's also a natural fabric softner.

chicagowoman

Your washer may be moldy from too much detergent use. You might have to purchase a washer cleaner. I purchased one called PureWasher. I followed the directions religiously several times in a row (just to be sure I got it all) but found that I have to do again every few months. I have cut back how much detergent I use but I still end up with a smell eventually.
http://www.smellywasher.com/

beaglesgal

I have the same problem and I agree that nothing got rid of it until I used bleach.I find it is at its worst in the summer months.