You've just stepped out of the shower, taken a freshly washed towel from the cupboard and wrapped it around yourself. But as soon as the fabric gets slightly damp, you notice it: that unpleasant, musty smell. Even though you only washed the towel recently!

Sound familiar? You're certainly not alone.

The frustrating part is that your towels can look perfectly clean and even smell fresh when they come out of the washing machine. Yet that musty odour sometimes returns after just one use.

How can a freshly washed towel still smell bad? And more importantly, how do you actually get rid of that musty smell?

At Miss Towels, we believe drying yourself after a shower should feel fresh and comfortable. It shouldn't leave you wondering whether your towel is actually clean.

That's why we're explaining where those unpleasant smells come from, what you can do about them and how to stop the problem from coming back.

Why do towels develop a musty smell?

The most common cause is a combination of moisture, leftover dirt and microorganisms.

When you dry yourself after a shower, your towel doesn't just absorb water. Dead skin cells, body oils and other residues can also remain trapped between the fibres.

That's perfectly normal. After all, it's why we wash our towels regularly.

However, when a towel stays damp for long periods, bacteria and mould can multiply more easily. Certain microorganisms and decomposition processes produce substances responsible for unpleasant odours.

And here's an important detail: a washing cycle doesn't always remove every trace of odour-causing residue.

When the towel becomes damp again, that musty smell can become noticeable once more.

So the problem isn't always the towel itself. Your washing machine, detergent, drying method and bathroom environment can all play a part.

6 reasons why your towels keep smelling bad

1. Your towel doesn't dry properly after showering

This is one of the first things we'd recommend checking.

Perhaps you hang your towel on a small hook behind the bathroom door. Or maybe you fold it over a narrow towel rail.

It might look tidy, but this can leave parts of the towel damp for extended periods.

This can be particularly problematic in bathrooms with poor ventilation.

Our tip: Hang your towel as widely as possible after use so that air can circulate around the fabric. Switch on your bathroom extractor fan or improve ventilation whenever possible.

A towel that dries completely between showers is less likely to develop a musty smell.

2. You leave wet towels in the washing machine for too long

We've all been there. The washing machine finishes its cycle, but you're busy doing something else.

One hour turns into an afternoon, and before you know it, your damp towels have been sitting in the drum much longer than planned.

Moisture struggles to escape from a closed washing machine, creating conditions that can encourage unpleasant odours.

Our tip: Remove your towels as soon as possible after washing and either hang them up or place them in the tumble dryer.

If your laundry already smells musty when you take it out of the machine, wash it again before drying.

3. You're using too much detergent

More detergent doesn't automatically mean cleaner towels.

In fact, using more detergent than necessary can make it harder to rinse everything away properly.

Residues may remain trapped between the cotton fibres. Combined with body oils and other dirt, these can contribute to towels smelling less fresh.

However, this doesn't mean you should use as little detergent as possible.

Too little detergent can prevent dirt and oils from being removed effectively.

Our tip: Follow the dosage instructions on your detergent packaging, taking into account water hardness, load size and how dirty your towels are.

4. Your washing machine isn't completely clean

Have you ever noticed an unpleasant smell coming from the rubber seal around your washing machine door?

Or taken a closer look inside the detergent drawer?

Moisture, dirt and detergent residues can build up inside a washing machine. Common problem areas include the rubber door seal, detergent drawer and hard-to-reach areas around the drum.

If your washing machine smells musty, it's hardly surprising that your freshly washed laundry might not smell as clean as you'd like.

Our tip: Clean your washing machine regularly according to the manufacturer's instructions.

Pay particular attention to the rubber seal, detergent drawer and any maintenance cleaning programme. Where appropriate, leave the door and detergent drawer slightly open after washing to allow moisture to evaporate.

5. You're washing at a temperature that doesn't suit the level of dirt

Washing towels at 30°C isn't necessarily wrong.

However, when towels are heavily soiled or have persistent odours, a warmer, suitable washing programme may provide more effective cleaning.

That doesn't mean you should automatically choose the highest temperature.

Some towels can be washed at 60°C, while others require lower temperatures depending on their colour, construction and finishing.

Our tip: Always check the care label and choose an appropriate programme with an effective detergent.

A higher washing temperature may help, but it isn't a guaranteed solution for stubborn smells.

6. You're storing towels before they're completely dry

A towel can feel dry on the outside while moisture remains trapped deep between its terry loops.

If you fold it and place it inside a closed cupboard, that moisture may struggle to escape.

The result? Towels that go into the cupboard freshly washed but come out smelling musty.

Our tip: Check the thicker sections, edges and hems to make sure your towel is completely dry before folding it.

Store clean towels in a dry, well-ventilated cupboard whenever possible.

How to remove musty smells from towels: 7 practical steps

Are your towels already smelling musty? Fortunately, that doesn't mean you need to replace them straight away.

Try following these seven steps first.

Step 1: Identify where the smell is coming from

Does just one particular towel smell bad? Or does all your laundry seem less fresh than usual?

If several types of laundry smell musty, your washing machine might be contributing to the problem.

If only the towel that hangs in your bathroom smells unpleasant, focus on how well it dries after use.

Identifying the likely cause first helps you avoid repeatedly trying solutions that don't address the actual problem.

Step 2: Wash your towels again using a suitable detergent

Use the correct amount of detergent and choose a washing programme suitable for your towels.

Always follow the maximum temperature shown on the care label.

For persistent odours, a detergent specifically designed to remove smells and built-up dirt may be a good option.

Step 3: Give your laundry enough room

Don't overload your washing machine.

Towels need enough room to move during washing and to rinse thoroughly.

Follow your washing machine's recommended load capacity. A nearly empty drum isn't automatically better either. The goal is to use an appropriate load size for the selected programme.

Step 4: Skip the fabric softener for now

At Miss Towels, we generally recommend avoiding fabric softener when washing cotton towels.

Fabric softener can make fibres feel softer, but it may also affect their ability to absorb moisture.

And that's particularly important when it comes to towels. A towel should feel wonderfully soft while also drying your skin effectively.

Do you normally use fabric softener with every wash? Try leaving it out for a few washes and see whether you notice a difference.

Step 5: Clean your washing machine

Does your washing machine itself smell unpleasant? Address that first.

Clean the components identified in your machine's maintenance instructions and run its recommended cleaning programme if necessary.

Only use products suitable for your washing machine.

This helps prevent freshly washed towels from being exposed to residues inside a dirty machine.

Step 6: Dry your towels immediately and completely

This might be the most important step of all.

Take your towels out of the washing machine as soon as the cycle has finished.

If the care label allows tumble drying, choose an appropriate programme.

Prefer air drying? Hang your towels with enough space around them to allow good air circulation.

Only fold them once they're completely dry.

Step 7: Prevent the smell from returning

Once you've managed to remove that unpleasant smell, the last thing you want is to start all over again a few weeks later.

Make sure your towels can dry fully between showers, wash them regularly and never store them while they're damp.

A few good habits often make a bigger difference than using lots of additional laundry products.

Do vinegar or baking soda help with smelly towels?

You'll find plenty of advice online recommending vinegar or baking soda to remove unpleasant smells from towels.

But do these household remedies actually work?

The answer isn't quite as straightforward as it might seem.

Vinegar is acidic and can affect certain mineral deposits, but that doesn't automatically make it an effective solution for every cause of musty towels.

Some washing machine manufacturers also advise against regularly using vinegar because it may damage certain components.

Baking soda isn't a miracle solution either. It may help with some odours under certain conditions, but it doesn't replace proper cleaning with a suitable detergent.

Our advice: don't start experimenting with lots of household remedies. Focus on identifying and addressing the actual cause first.

A clean washing machine, the correct detergent dosage and thorough drying are generally more sensible starting points.

How often should you wash your towels?

That depends on how you use them.

A bath towel used to dry your clean body after showering, and allowed to dry completely afterwards, usually doesn't need washing after every single use.

As a practical guideline, consider washing your towels after approximately three to five normal uses, provided they dry fully between uses.

Wash them sooner if they're heavily used, remain damp, become visibly dirty or develop an unpleasant smell.

And if several people share the same towel, washing it more frequently is generally a sensible choice.

Are thicker towels more likely to develop a musty smell?

That's an interesting question.

Thick, fluffy towels often feel wonderfully comfortable. It's that soft, luxurious feeling many people associate with a beautiful hotel.

However, more textile material generally means more water can be held within the towel. With otherwise similar materials and construction, a heavier towel may therefore take longer to dry.

An 800 GSM towel can feel wonderfully thick and substantial, but it isn't necessarily the most practical choice for every bathroom.

Especially if your bathroom has poor ventilation or you don't own a tumble dryer, it's worth considering how quickly your towels dry between uses.

Thicker doesn't automatically mean better for every situation. The key is finding the right balance between comfort, absorbency and everyday practicality.

Why do we choose 550 GSM at Miss Towels?

At Miss Towels, we want our towels to feel luxurious while remaining comfortable and practical for everyday use.

That's why our towels have a weight of 550 grams per square metre (GSM).

They're made from 100% cotton with long, combed fibres and feature double-stitched side seams.

With these qualities, we aim to strike a lovely balance between a full, soft feel and everyday convenience.

Extra-heavy towels may appeal to some people, but with our 550 GSM towels, we've deliberately chosen a comfortable, manageable weight.

Of course, proper care remains important. Even a high-quality towel can develop a musty smell if it's left damp for long periods.

Because creating that luxury hotel experience at home isn't just about owning beautiful towels.

It's also about that fresh, cared-for feeling when you step out of a warm shower and wrap yourself in a wonderfully soft towel.

That's exactly the feeling we want to bring a little closer to your everyday life at Miss Towels.

When should you replace a towel?

A towel that smells musty isn't necessarily worn out.

First, try identifying the cause, washing it properly and allowing it to dry completely.

If the smell keeps returning despite repeated, careful cleaning, even when your washing machine and drying conditions are suitable, replacing the towel may eventually be the most practical option.

Also look out for other signs of wear, such as damaged loops, thinning areas, worn hems or a noticeable reduction in absorbency.

Have you purchased towels from Miss Towels and have questions about their quality or care? Feel free to contact us. We're always happy to help.

Conclusion: fresh towels start with proper care

Do your towels still smell musty after washing? That doesn't automatically mean they're poor quality or need replacing.

Often, lingering moisture, built-up dirt, the washing machine or the drying method contributes to the problem.

With the right washing routine, sufficient ventilation and a little attention to drying, you can prevent many unpleasant towel odours.

And if you're ready to treat yourself to a new set of wonderfully soft towels?

Discover the 550 GSM towels from Miss Towels and bring the luxury hotel experience into your own bathroom.

Frequently asked questions about smelly towels

Why do my towels smell bad as soon as they get wet?

When a towel becomes damp again, lingering odour compounds can become more noticeable. Moisture and dirt that hasn't been fully removed can also contribute to new unpleasant smells.

Can I wash smelly towels at 60°C?

If the care label allows washing at 60°C, it may be a suitable option for certain types of dirt and odours. Always check the maximum recommended temperature for your towels first.

Why do my towels smell fresh after washing but musty when I take them out of the cupboard?

Your towels may not have been completely dry when you folded them. A damp, poorly ventilated cupboard can also contribute to the problem.

Does fabric softener help with musty towels?

Fabric softener can add a pleasant fragrance, but it doesn't necessarily address the cause of musty smells. It can also affect absorbency. That's why we generally recommend a proper washing routine without fabric softener.

Should I wash my towels after every shower?

Usually not. As a practical guideline, washing after approximately three to five normal uses is reasonable, provided the towel dries completely between uses. Wash it sooner if it becomes visibly dirty, develops an unpleasant smell or needs washing for other hygiene-related reasons.