I forgot towels in the washing machine for 3days and no need to say that they smell like a basement stink...I restarted the whole cycle but the smell persists. It's colored towels so I can't use bleach;what's the best way to get the smell out? Any tricks?
by 
FancyFeast
ANSWERS: 14
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have you tried fabric softener like Lenor or comfort? what about Febreze??
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http://www.vinegartips.com/laundry/ Forgot that you left wet laundry in the machine and it now smells moldy? Pour a few cups of white distilled vinegar in the machine and wash the clothes in hot water. Then run a normal cycle with detergent.
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For musty clothing there is a product sold called Pure-washer. All it takes is soaking all your clothing and towels with a tablespoon of the cleaner for a couple of hours and no more mildew or basement smell! It'll clean fungus from your washing machine too!
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An old gradmom's cleaner called "Lestoil"...it'll take tar out of jeans so I'm sure it'll get the stink out of towels.
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Actualy I have heard that if you put some vodka in a spray bottle it will neutralize the odors and wont leave a smell.. just let it dry on it and then wash again.
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Try the febreeze laundry additive...I had the same problem and it got the smell out.
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You could also use and oxygenated bleach (as opposed to a chlorine bleach, like Clorox). Oxy-bleach is usually colorsafe. Oxydol or OxyFresh.
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baking soda or the sun. Amazing results and a cheap safe try!!! Good luck!! I was in your shoes last month!!
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rewash them on hot cycle. The vinegar advice given by Dancing TRaveler is also excellent.
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I think I would use white vinegar, and I think Peroxide works. You don't need much
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I sell a natural washing machine cleaner (formerly Purewasher) that will also get rid of mildew smell from towels and clothing at www.smellywasher.com Washing machine odor is not model specific but is noticed more in front load washers because of the lesser amount of water used. If detergent or fabric softener is overused it will buildup on the inside of the outer tub and fungus will grow on it. Smellywasher cleaner is used by adding 1 tbsp. to a hot setting and allowing it to complete the cycle. For advice to remove more extreme odor and more information on the problem go to the BLOG page at smellywasher.com/ There is enough in one order for 24 cleanings and it has a money back guarantee if you're not satisfied!
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This happens to me in the summer. If I don't hang or dry the towels within in an hour or so, they stink. I now add a scoop of Oxy Clean and the usual detergent and wash them again in warm water. Though I do try to dry my laundry right away. :)
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reading you question has helped me fix my smelly washer.+++
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Clorox makes bleach for colored items. Also, you can re-wash the towels with a bit of vinegar added to the wash.
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