There’s nothing worse than stepping out of the shower and reaching for a “freshly washed” towel – only to be hit with that damp, musty smell.
If your towels never seem to smell truly clean, even straight out of the machine, experts say the problem isn’t your washing powder – it’s what’s being left behind.
According to lifestyle specialists at Lottomart, the culprit is often detergent residue trapped deep within the fibres.
When detergent isn’t fully rinsed out, it leaves behind a thin, greasy coating. That film then locks in body oils, moisture and bacteria to create the perfect environment for that stale odour to develop.
But the fix costs as little as €1.
The Simple Solution
Adding half a cup of bicarbonate of soda directly into your wash can neutralise the smell and break the cycle for good.
Available in most supermarkets for around €1, this cupboard staple works by balancing the acids that cause unpleasant odours while also helping dissolve built-up detergent residue.
A spokesperson for Lottomart explains: “Bicarbonate of soda is a natural deodoriser that works by neutralising the acids that cause bad smells. It also helps to break down the detergent residue that’s trapped in the fibres, which is often the root cause of the problem.”
Want Even Better Results?
For an extra boost, experts recommend adding three to five drops of tea tree oil into the detergent drawer.
Tea tree oil is known for its antibacterial properties, helping eliminate the bacteria that contribute to that stubborn musty scent.
The spokesperson added: “Tea tree oil has natural antibacterial properties, which makes it perfect for eliminating the bacteria that cause that distinctive musty odour. Combined with bicarbonate of soda, it’s a powerful duo that costs a little over €2 in total.”
How To Make It Work Properly
To get the best results:
- Wash towels on a hot cycle
- Don’t overload the drum – towels need room to move
- Skip fabric softener
Fabric softener might seem like the obvious solution, but experts warn it can actually worsen the issue by adding another coating layer to the fibres, trapping even more residue over time.
The result? Towels that smell fresher for longer – without buying expensive specialist products.
