Why Do Your Face and Bath Towels Smell?
Using the same towel for an extended period without regular cleaning will cause it to develop an unpleasant odor. Towels come into contact with your body and collect sebum, dead skin cells, dust, and other impurities, providing an ideal food source for bacteria. If not cleaned regularly, bacteria will thrive, causing the towel to become sticky and emit a foul odor.
Drying towels in a damp environment also encourages the growth of bacteria and mold, contributing to the unpleasant smell.
It is recommended to dry towels in a well-ventilated area instead of keeping them in the bathroom.
How to Get Rid of the Smell and Stickiness
- Use warm salty water
Soak the towels in a tub of warm salty water for about 5 minutes. Then, proceed to wash them as you usually would. Salt helps to remove dirt and neutralize odors. Warm water enhances the cleaning effect.
- Use white vinegar
White vinegar is another effective cleaning agent. Mix it with warm water and soak the towels for about 10 minutes. The acetic acid in vinegar helps soften stains and inhibit bacterial growth. Combining vinegar with warm water enhances its cleaning power. After soaking, simply wash the towels normally.
- Use hot water
Hot water is a powerful disinfectant. The high temperature kills bacteria, removes oil, and eliminates odors from the towels. Soak the towels in hot water for about 10 minutes, then wash them with soap and clean water. For better results, you can boil the towels for a few minutes. However, avoid doing this frequently as the high temperature can alter the fabric’s structure, making the towels stiff, brittle, or prone to discoloration.
- Use baking soda
Place the towels in a tub, add a small amount of baking soda, and your choice of liquid or powder detergent. Then, add white vinegar and warm water (around 50°C) to dissolve the mixture. Baking soda and detergent will remove sweat and oil stains, while vinegar helps soften the stains. Soak the towels for about 15 minutes.
Afterward, gently knead the towels to remove the stains. Rinse them with clean water until they feel clean. Make sure to dry the towels completely in a well-ventilated area. If possible, dry them under direct sunlight, which is an effective way to disinfect and deodorize. Avoid drying towels in a damp environment, as moisture promotes bacterial growth, leading to odors and potential skin issues such as itching and acne.
