#laundry tips

Say goodbye to smelly laundry for good! ✨ I just wrapped up my deep-dive review of the ARM & HAMMER Plus OxiClean Odor Blaster.

Whether it's those stubborn musty towels, sweaty gym gear, or lingering pet smells, this budget-friendly detergent is a total game-changer for 2026. 🚀

Why I love it:

Tackles the toughest odors without breaking the bank.

Works amazing on white and colored clothes.

Deep cleans while leaving a fresh, long-lasting scent.

I've been meaning to make an extensive list of tips as someone who worked in a laundromat. Some basics and a few things I noticed not many people know. This is also coming from someone who learned to take care of my clothes early on to save money cause we're all broke here, so these tips also save you money:

•If you're not sure how to separate colors, have 2 piles, lights and darks/brights. Obviously black clothes and bright colors like red or yellow should be separate from whites. But when you get any color clothing that's not a light color, or if you're not sure if it counts as "light", take a corner of the item and run it under warm water, then squeeze the water out and check if the water comes out with dye. If it does there's a high chance it will bleed dye on your clothes, so wash it with the darks.

•You do not need brand laundry detergent. Any laundry detergent will do. I experimented with a few brands and all brands cleaned just fine. Just know, if you use powder detergent, check the instructions because most have to be used with warm or hot water.

•Don't use that much soap. You're using too much. More soap doesn't mean more clean, the measurements on the container are made to be the exact amount you need. More soap means the machine has to work harder to rinse it out and you get soap residue more than likely, which can make you itchy or make allergies worse.

•You don't really need to wash anything in hot water regularly. Cold water is fine for most things, and makes your clothes last longer. You only really need hot water for things you clean less frequently or things that need disinfecting, like pillows, bath rugs, and comforters.

•With things that need disinfecting like bath rugs, pet blankets, reusable period pads/undies, and soiled sheets, use half a cup of hydrogen peroxide in the bleach tray. It's a color safe bleach so you can add it to any color item. For items that stink, like pet items or workout gear, add half a cup of vinegar instead of softener. It works better than the expensive "sport" detergent. Even on urine smells. I got this tip from a nurse that works in a hospice.

•To be honest, softener is unnecessary. You can soften clothes with half a cup of vinegar in the softener tray. You won't smell it once it's washed, in case you're worried about that. Softener is terrible for clothes, it actually ads a coating to fabric so if an item is supposed to pull sweat from your body, like workout gear, towels, or summer clothing, it looses the ability with just a couple washes with softener. And fire resistant clothing like baby clothes will lose the ability if washed with softener.

•If it's the smell you want, I recommend wool dryer balls. They help dry your clothes better anyway. But for scented clothes, add like 5 drops of any essential oil to a couple of them, or dip them in a hydrosol like rose water for a bit and then toss them in the dryer. I've heard people do this with perfume too, but I've never tried it.

•Treating stains is easier if you do it as soon as it happens. Or as soon as you get home. If you can't wash it right away, put a couple drops of laundry soap on the stain and dab it into the stain with a damp cloth, or use a stain spray if you have one. If the stain is cooking oil, hair products, or any type of grease, put a couple drops of Dawn dish soap on it. There's a reason they use it for oil spills. Just don't add any to your washing machine, it can cause the machine to suds up too much and break it. When you wash the item, check if the stain came out. If not, air dry it. Heat sets in stains so drying it in a machine will make the stain impossible to remove.

•If you have the space please air dry your clothes in the sun. Please. It's so good. It makes your clothes smell great, makes them last longer, helps remove stains, and brightens whites like bleach never could. I live in an apartment but I hang clothes next to the window in the spring/summer and its so good.

-Clothing labels lie. Here's a breakdown of what needs special care and what doesn't:

•Wool and silk are cold wash only. Hand wash if you can, but if you must machine wash, use cold ONLY. Use a delicate setting if your washer has one. It should be air dried. Get a drying rack. If you absolutely cannot air dry, dry wool clothing on cold/delicate for 10 minutes at a time until it's barely damp, then leave it open on your bed/couch or over a chair. Do not dry silk. It's expensive, why would you ruin it. Hang it on a hanger and hook it over your door if you have nowhere else to hang it. It dries quickly.

•Cotton can be washed any temp, but everything lasts longer in cold wash. Dry on normal, only dry on high if the item needs disinfecting or if the item is thick, like a pillow, bath rug, or comforter.

•Linen is indestructible. Linen is stonewashed to soften it, which means people put the fabric in large washing machines filled with rocks to beat it so it softens. Wash on high and dry on high to soften it more if the item is stiff, but a cold wash and normal dry is fine otherwise.

•Synthetics like polyester, acrylic, nylon, etc. are best washed cold and dried on normal/warm. More delicate items like thin blouses, stockings, and anything with lace is best air dried, but can be dried on cold/delicate if necessary. Synthetic clothes are more prone to staining so treat stains as soon as they happen.

•SOME dry clean only clothing is fine in the washer, but I'd say dry clean it if you're not sure. If it's an item with no lining it's usually fine, but always air dry these. Dresses, blouses or skirts with stiff linings will lose their shape in the washer. Easiest way to tell, if you turn a dry clean item inside out and there's a white paper like fabric lining certain areas it can't be machine washed. That's a stabilizer/interfacing and it will get ruined. Always dry clean suit jackets, coats, and anything labeled dry clean that's filled with feathers. Some suit pants can be machine washed, but make sure it doesn't have any interfacing. If a dry clean item has lots of colors on it, like a multicolored shirt, or a black dress with a white collar, dry clean it. It will get ruined otherwise.

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Summer means more sweat, showers, and towels piling up quicker than usual. Whether it’s a swim at the local lido, garden sunbathing, or just more frequent rinses to beat the heat, towels work overtime. They smell musty, feel rough, and even carry hidden bacteria without the right care. That’s where proper towel hygiene makes all the difference

This blog is for anyone looking to keep their towels fresh, soft, and safe all summer long with simple, effective habits

Table of Contents

• How summer increases towel usage • Signs of mildew and bacteria • Washing and drying tips for summer • How to prevent odours and rough texture • When to replace towels and how to reuse old ones

Why Towels Get Dirtier in Summer

Towels don’t just soak up water. They collect skin cells, oils, and bacteria too. In hot months, this problem grows. People shower, sweat, and visit pools, beaches, and parks. That means towels stay damp longer, especially if they’re tossed in a corner or reused too soon

Without proper care, moisture buildup becomes a breeding ground for mildew. If left overnight or packed in laundry baskets, the dampness settles in and odours set fast. Even towels that look clean can carry bacteria if they’re not washed properly

Common Signs You’re Overdue for a Wash

Freshly used towels shouldn’t have a smell. If they do, even right after washing, it’s a red flag. That faint sour scent means germs have taken hold

Watch for stiff or crusty texture. It’s often caused by detergent residue or hard water minerals. If your towel feels scratchy, it’s not just comfort that’s affected. It may not be absorbing moisture properly either

Spots or dark marks in the fibres suggest mildew. It’s common in rolled or folded towels stored without full drying. Your summer laundry routine needs more checks to catch these early

How to Wash and Dry Towels to Kill Germs and Keep Them Soft

Start with temperature. Wash towels at 60°C if the fabric allows. This helps break down oils and kills most bacteria without damaging fibres. Avoid overloading the machine. Towels need space to rinse and spin thoroughly

Use a gentle detergent; too much soap leads to residue. Once a month, wash towels with white vinegar instead of detergent. It softens fibres, neutralises smells, and strips buildup

Always dry towels fully. Air drying in the sun is best. UV rays act as a natural disinfectant and leave a fresh scent. If using a tumble dryer, shake towels first and dry on a medium setting to protect the fibres

Avoid fabric softeners. They coat towels and reduce absorbency. If you like a fresh scent, try a few drops of essential oil in the rinse cycle instead

Preventing Odours and Keeping Towels in Top Condition

Don’t leave towels bunched up after use. Hang them flat on a wide bar to dry thoroughly between washes. Avoid hooks, which trap the middle and let dampness stay longer

Rotate your towel stock. Using the same two daily wears them down and gives mildew more chance to grow. Having a few extras on hand keeps your routine smooth and clean

For beach or pool towels, shake out sand and rinse in cold water before adding to your wash. This stops grit from damaging your washing machine and reduces wear

Store towels in a well-ventilated cupboard. If stacking them, ensure they’re completely dry to avoid trapped moisture. You can even leave the door open slightly in humid months for better airflow

When to Let Go and Reuse Old Towels Elsewhere

Even with the best habits, towels have a lifespan. If fibres break down, colour fades badly, or they don’t dry you like they used to, it’s time to retire them

Don’t bin them. Towels make brilliant cleaning cloths, pet blankets, or garden rags. Cut them into squares and use for dusting, spill cleanup, or even scrubbing outdoor furniture

Keeping your towel supply healthy supports the rest of your summer laundry routine. It reduces overall odour in the laundry basket, protects your skin from lingering bacteria, and cuts back on extra washes caused by musty smells

Final Thoughts on Towel Hygiene in Warmer Months

Towels may seem low priority until one smells off or feels like sandpaper. Giving them more care in summer protects your skin, nose, and washing machine. A fresh towel feels better, works better, and keeps your home smelling clean too

Stick to a consistent wash cycle, rotate regularly, and pay attention to how your towels feel and smell. That’s all it takes to master summer towel hygiene without fuss

FAQs

How often should I wash towels in summer?

Every two to three uses. More often, if they smell damp or are used after beach trips or heavy exercise

Why do my towels still smell after washing?

Too much detergent, low wash temperatures, or poor drying often cause lingering odours. Try a vinegar rinse and hotter cycle

Can I use the same wash for beach and bath towels?

It’s best to rinse beach towels separately to remove sand and salt. Then wash them with similar colours in a standard cycle