I'm hoping someone knows what the problem is... for a while now, I've had a problem with some articles of clothing, usually t shirts, and about half my linens having this horrible smell!! Even after they are washed and dried. It doesn't matter if I air dry or put them in the dryer, use fabric softner or vinegar, they still smell horribly. A very heavy, choking almost musty moldy kind of smell that gets worse the longer they are unused. Sometmes it doesnt even take a week to get to that point. But not all of them do. And they are stored in the same areas. I'm abouto go insane and jut toss all of hm... but I know that's not the solution, because its too expensive to replace them. Just normal, cotton and maybe cotton poly blend things. Any suggestions to rid them of that smell?

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"And the state of his bathroom -- I'm not one to gossip, but there are things crusted on his sink that have not simply developed intelligent life but have in all probability by now evolved their own political systems." Cain describes Abel in in SANDMAN #70

sounds to me like they've soured... if i could smell them I'd know. I smell that smell when others don't! *shudders*

My only suggestion/solution is,, make certain everything is TOTALLY BONE DRY before you store/fold them... imo, there is no such thing as 'dry enough',, if there is ANY moisture left in stuff when it's put away, it'll stink to me.. that 'sour' smell

*a couple family members actually stunk so bad to me,, and they didn't even know!!*

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Think big! Change the world! One A.R.K at a time.

I'd try soaking them in some water with some white vinegar for a little while (you could also add some baking soda), and the wash as normal. That should the trick if they've 'soured'. Bleach will also work.

Found some other tips for ya...hope something works!

Good luck!

Get Rid of the Sour Smell of Towels - Associated Content

Sour Smelling Laundry Solution - Good Housekeeping

Sour Smelling Clothing

Freshening Sour Laundry

I never knew clothes could sour/go bad!! I will try all these tips, my goodness I hope something works!!!! Thank you!

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"And the state of his bathroom -- I'm not one to gossip, but there are things crusted on his sink that have not simply developed intelligent life but have in all probability by now evolved their own political systems." Cain describes Abel in in SANDMAN #70

Our towels will often get sour because they get left in piles while they are soaking wet (I think it's because of this house full of boys I have ). I wash (sometimes soak if they are really bad) with 1-2 cups of baking soda along with the laundry detergent. It works even on the worst smelling clothes.

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Marcy
Proud wife of Tim, Mom to Sean (8/87), Ethan (10/98), Sam (9/02)
and angels Nathanial (8/6/97-8/8/97) and Benjamin (8/6/97-8/21/97)

Until they all come home......
Life is a Journey (follow my blog about my journey)

I am having this problem with my towels. I washed them 3 times and cant get the smell out of them. I am using a different detergent, so maybe its not rinsing properly, Im going to buy one of my usual brands and see if that makes a difference. I dont have a problem with clothes, just towels. I have a front loader and Ive noticed that the towels arent as "dry" as they usually are when the cycle is done, like the water hasnt been spun out enough. Maybe thats the problem?

Could it be your detergent? One time I washed our clothes in Era and after they dried they had the funkiest smell. Another member on here used Tide with Febreeze and said that after the clothes were clean they smelled like someone had thrown up on them.

So here's the thing, I think I know what you're talking about. Its a very musty scent, yeah my towels smelled like that before I tried pure essentials, the new detergent from tide. It smells like white lilac and it has baking soda in it. And let me say, what a difference! Seriously, the baking soda makes so much difference. My towels just smell really fresh now.

My mom had this problem too.....but hers was because for some odd reason, the washer doesn't completely empty all the water and the water gets sour smelling......it's had to explain because the clothes are rung dry and there is no water in the washtub, but it's underneath or somewhere adn gets into the wash. She has told Sears about it, and the guy said all new washers have this "water trap" or something. COnfusing, I know, but that me be the problem. My mom has had to wash her clothes 2-3 times and IMMEDIATELY take them out of the washer and put them in the dryer.