The Ultimate Guide to Cleaning and Refreshing Your Bath Towels
The typical bath towel is a cotton terry towel, designed to be plush and absorbent, but over time, these inevitably become scratchy and develop what we call 'towel funk'—an unpleasant, stale-smelling odor.
The good news? These issues are easy to fix! In this article, we’ll share tips to keep your towels smelling and looking fresh, but the best solution is upgrading to more modern fabrics—like the Maker's Clean Waffle Weave Bath Towels, which avoid the problems common to traditional cotton terry towels. We've also introduced a range of luxurious new bath products, including our ultra-soft Luxury Face Cloths and Eye Makeup Remover Pads, designed to elevate your skincare routine while maintaining high hygiene standards.
Why Do Towels Get Smelly?
Terry towels are made from cotton, a natural fiber that is prone to bacteria growth. When towels are left in a moist environment—like your bathroom after a shower—bacteria starts to grow, leading to that funky smell.
Here’s how to prevent it:
- Always dry your towel properly: Hang it fully stretched out on a towel bar, not just on a hook. A hook doesn’t allow enough air circulation for proper drying.
- Use your bathroom’s exhaust fan after a shower to reduce moisture.
- Make sure towels are completely dry before storing them: If you fold up a towel that feels dry but still retains moisture, it will start to smell musty in your linen closet.
How to Make Towels Soft Again
If you line-dry your towels, whether indoors or outdoors, you might notice they come out flat, scratchy, and uncomfortable. To fix this:
- Rub the towel fibers together to fluff them up.
- Use a soft-bristle brush to lightly brush the towel.
- Try steaming your towel with a handheld steamer to restore softness.
The Biggest Mistake People Make When Washing Towels
Towels are thick, heavy, and super absorbent, which means they soak up all the detergent and fabric softener you use. The problem? Too much detergent builds up over time, trapping bacteria and making towels smell even worse.
What You Should Do Instead:
- Use the right amount of detergent – More detergent doesn’t mean a better clean. It can actually make things worse!
- Don’t overfill your washing machine – If you stuff in too many towels, your high-efficiency washer won’t be able to distribute water properly.
- Skip the fabric softener – Fabric softener coats towels with a waxy residue that reduces absorbency. Instead, use vinegar.
The Ultimate Towel Reset: Vinegar & Baking Soda Wash
If your towels are feeling stiff and smelling funky, it's time for a reset. Follow these two steps:
1. Hot Vinegar Wash: Add 1-2 cups of plain white vinegar (no detergent!) to the washing machine and run a cycle on the hottest setting.
2. Hot Baking Soda Wash: After the vinegar cycle, run another wash with 1 cup of baking soda, also on a hot cycle. This freshens and deodorizes your towels.
Once you’ve done this, your towels should feel soft and smell fresh again. If they’re in really bad shape, you may need to repeat the process.
When to Replace Your Towels
Even with proper care, towels don’t last forever. After 7 to 10 years, it might be time for a refresh. A great way to recycle old towels is by donating them to pet shelters—they love receiving them!
The Better Alternative to Terry Towels
If you’re wondering why there isn’t a better towel option out there, we have good news—there is! Just like we’ve moved on from thick, heavy cotton workout clothes to moisture-wicking technical fabrics, towels have evolved, too. Check out the Maker's Clean Waffle Weave Bath Towels.
Microfiber towels are the best towels in 2025 because they dry quickly & don't smell! The microfiber waffle-weave textile absorbs moisture efficiently, dries quickly, and doesn't harbor bacteria, avoiding that 'towel funk' odor common with cotton towels.
As a bonus, they also fold up super small, so they're great for travel, the gym, or a yoga class.
In addition to towels, we've also recently introduced luxurious face cloths and eye makeup remover pads to compliment our bath collection. These are perfect for maintaining your skin’s health while eliminating the risks of bacteria growth often found in traditional cotton cloths. The face cloths offer a gentle yet effective cleanse, while the eye makeup remover pads provide a soft, reusable alternative to single-use cotton rounds. Both products are ideal for sensitive skin, ensuring you enjoy a fresh, clean experience every time you use them.
How Often Should You Change Your Bathroom Towels?
This is a hotly debated topic in many households! In our home, we change our towels twice a week—after about three or four uses. We take good care of them, so this works for us.
And if you're not dosing your detergent properly, your washing machine probably needs a deep clean. Check out this article on How to Clean & Maintain Your Washing Machine.