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A Hunker report identifies lingering moisture as a common cause of musty towels and recommends drying them fully before storage, leaving room for airflow and avoiding crowded closets. It also points to laundry residue and a moldy washing machine as possible causes when damp storage is not the issue. These are household-care recommendations, not findings from a new study.
A Hunker household-care report says towels can develop a musty odor when moisture remains in the fabric or when they are stored with too little airflow, and recommends drying towels completely before putting them away. The advice matters for households trying to prevent odors from returning after laundry, though the report is practical guidance rather than a new scientific study.
The report identifies lingering dampness as a common explanation for musty towels. Towels may stay wet if they are folded or put in a closet before they are fully dry, left bunched together after use, or left sitting in a dryer after the cycle. According to Hunker, moisture can allow bacteria and mold to develop, producing the odor.
For towels being used between washes, Hunker recommends hanging each one separately on a dedicated rack so air can circulate around the fabric. A hook may leave a towel folded or bunched, slowing drying. The report also advises choosing a location with airflow rather than hanging towels beside a shower, where humidity can keep them damp. It suggests placing them at least a few feet from the shower if there is no better location.
Before closet storage, towels should be completely dry, and the closet should not be packed so tightly that air cannot move between linens. If dampness does not seem to explain the smell, the report points to laundry practices: excessive detergent or fabric softener can leave residue, and a washing machine with mold may also contribute. Hunker suggests washing musty towels in hot water to address odor-causing oils and residue, but does not specify a temperature or discuss fabric-care label limits.
Moisture Is the Main Prevention Target
The guidance focuses on a recurring household problem: a towel can smell musty even after it has been washed if it remains damp during drying, use or storage. The practical takeaway is to address drying and airflow before assuming another wash or a scented product will solve the cause. Separating towels on a rack and leaving space in the closet are low-cost changes that may help them dry more thoroughly.
The report also distinguishes between possible sources of odor. If towels are stiff or scratchy after washing, Hunker says detergent or softener residue may be involved; if the machine itself has mold, that may be another source. These are troubleshooting suggestions, not a diagnosis of any particular household’s towels. Identifying the likely cause can help readers avoid repeating a laundry cycle without changing the conditions that may be allowing the smell to return.
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From Laundry Cycle to Closet
The report’s advice follows towels through several stages: after use, during washing and drying, and in storage. A towel left wet in a pile or hung where bathroom humidity remains high may not dry fully. A washed towel can also retain moisture if it sits in the dryer, while a crowded linen closet may limit airflow after the towel is put away. Hunker presents these points as related ways moisture can persist.
For storage, the recommended sequence is straightforward: dry towels fully, then place them in a closet with enough room around the linens for ventilation. The report also mentions sun-drying as an option and says sunlight may kill developing mold spores. It advises checking homeowners association guidelines before hanging laundry outdoors. The source does not provide test results or comparative measurements for these methods.
““Put away towels only when they are completely dry and don’t cram your closet chock-full of linens.””
— Hunker
The Source Does Not Test Each Fix
The Hunker report offers household-care recommendations, but the supplied material does not describe a study, testing method or measurements showing how much each step reduces odor. It also does not establish that moisture is the cause in every case. A musty smell could have more than one source, including damp storage, laundry residue or a washing machine that needs cleaning.
The report does not give a specific hot-water temperature or address whether all towel fabrics can be washed hot. Readers should check care labels and follow their washer’s guidance before changing wash settings. It is also not clear how quickly towels should be washed after use or how much space a closet needs; the advice is to avoid leaving towels damp and to keep storage from becoming overcrowded.
Try the Drying Changes First
For households acting on the report, the first steps are to hang used towels separately in a well-ventilated place, remove washed towels promptly for complete drying, and avoid storing them while damp. Once dry, towels can go into a closet that is not packed tightly. If the odor continues, readers can review detergent and fabric-softener use and check whether the washing machine may be contributing.
Any next step depends on the source of the smell and the care instructions for the towels. Hunker does not announce a follow-up test or provide additional measurements in the supplied report, so whether the suggested changes solve a particular odor remains a matter for the household to assess.
Key Questions
What does Hunker identify as a common cause of musty towels?
Hunker points to lingering moisture, including towels put away before they are fully dry, left bunched after use or left in the dryer.
How should towels be hung between uses?
The report recommends hanging towels separately on a rack in a place with airflow, rather than bunching them on a hook or placing them beside a shower.
Can detergent or fabric softener contribute to the smell?
Hunker says excess detergent or fabric softener can leave residue on towels and may be part of the problem. It also lists a moldy washing machine as a possible source.
Should every musty towel be washed in hot water?
The report suggests hot water for musty towels, but gives no temperature and does not address every fabric type. Check the towel’s care label and washer instructions before selecting a hot cycle.
Source: rss
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