You know that feeling when you reach for a clean kitchen towel, bring it up to your nose, and instead of that fresh, soapy scent you expect, you get a damp, sour smell that reminds you of a wet dog left out in the rain? You are not alone. Musty kitchen towels are one of the most common frustrations in any home, and they can happen even when you feel like you are doing everything right. The good news is that this problem is completely fixable, and most of the time, you already have the solution sitting right in your pantry or laundry room.

First, let’s talk about why your towels start smelling funky in the first place. Kitchen towels take a beating. They get damp from drying your hands after washing dishes, they soak up spills from the counter, and they often sit in a warm, humid environment near the stove or sink. That combination of moisture, warmth, and leftover food particles is basically a welcome mat for bacteria and mold. Even if the towel looks clean, those tiny organisms are busy breeding in the fibers, and they release that musty odor as a by-product. Another big culprit is soap residue. If you use too much detergent or fabric softener, the leftover gunk builds up in the fabric over time, trapping bacteria and making the towel less absorbent, which only makes the problem worse.

Now, how do you fix towels that already smell? Start by giving them a hot water wash with a heavy dose of detergent. Do not skimp on the heat—bacteria hate temperatures above 140 degrees Fahrenheit, so set your washing machine to the hot cycle. If your towels are particularly stinky, add a cup of white vinegar to the rinse cycle. Vinegar is a natural deodorizer and mild disinfectant that breaks down residue without harming the fabric. Then, for an extra punch, run a second wash cycle with half a cup of baking soda mixed into the detergent. Baking soda helps neutralize odors and lifts away any lingering grime. After that, dry your towels on the highest heat setting your fabric can handle, or better yet, hang them outside in direct sunlight. The sun’s ultraviolet rays are a fantastic, free sanitizer that will kill off any remaining bacteria and leave your towels smelling like a fresh summer breeze.

If the musty smell keeps coming back even after a deep clean, your towels might be suffering from what laundry experts call “the buildup.” Over time, mineral deposits from hard water, combined with detergent residue and fabric softener wax, can create a stubborn coating inside the fibers. To strip that away, you need a more aggressive approach. Fill your washing machine with hot water, add three tablespoons of washing soda or Borax, and let the towels soak for at least an hour before running the cycle. Washing soda is stronger than baking soda and works like a powerhouse to dissolve that gunk. Do not use fabric softener ever again on your kitchen towels—they are the enemy here. Instead, use a little white vinegar in the rinse cycle every few washes to keep things fresh.

But cleaning alone is not enough. You also have to change how you handle your towels between washes. The biggest mistake most homeowners make is leaving damp towels wadded up in a pile on the counter or balled up in a laundry basket. That traps moisture and gives bacteria the perfect dark, wet home to multiply. Instead, after each use, spread your towel out flat or hang it on a hook or towel bar where air can circulate on both sides. If you have a small kitchen, consider installing a simple retractable clothesline or a magnetic towel rack on the side of your refrigerator. Another savvy trick is to rotate your towels more often. Have a stack of at least six to eight towels on hand so you can swap out a damp one for a dry one without feeling like you are doing laundry every day. And never, ever use the same towel for drying your hands and wiping up raw meat juices or messy spills—that is a fast track to odor and germs.

Sometimes the problem is not the towel itself but the washing machine. If your machine has a musty smell, it can transfer that odor to your laundry. Run a cleaning cycle with a washing machine cleaner or a cup of vinegar once a month to keep your machine fresh. Also, leave the door open after a load so the drum can dry out completely.

Finally, know when to say goodbye. Even with the best care, kitchen towels wear out after a year or so. When the fabric starts fraying, thinning, or losing its ability to soak up water, it is time to repurpose them into cleaning rags and buy a fresh set. Look for towels made from 100 percent cotton with a tight weave—they hold up better and resist odor buildup longer than blends or cheap microfiber cloths.

Keeping your kitchen towels fresh does not require a chemistry degree or fancy products. A little heat, some vinegar, baking soda, and a few smart habits are all you need to banish that musty smell for good.