After taking a shower, you try to grab that piece that you call a towel, only to be met with a musty, damp disappointment rather than the warm, comforting embrace you expect. It’s not exactly what you were expecting, is it?

In our daily lives, towels wrap us up, dry us off, and occasionally work as impromptu blankets for a long afternoon nap. Most of us don’t give them the attention they deserve. But a little extra attention to detail can go a long way toward maintaining clean and fresh towels—have you tried?

If your towels are losing their fluff or building that odd sour smell, don’t worry about it—it’s totally fixable! This article explains how to store towels and offers some tips to keep them fresh.

Best Towel Storage Methods to Avoid Mildew

Any storage trick in the world cannot save a towel that wasn’t clean in the first place. Thus, first you need to know some tips to store towels without a smell. So, let’s dig in!

1. Keep It Clean

One of the towel freshness hacks is to wash them after three to four uses. We understand this sounds a little too much. But consider everything—be it dead skin cells, sweat, water, and soap residue. If you don’t routinely wash, that’s a lot of junk just sitting there.

2. Less is More

Don’t use too much detergent. In fact, too much of it can stiffen your towels and trap bacteria in the fibers. That’s most likely why your towels feel crunchy.

One of the noteworthy towel hygiene tips is not to use fabric softeners either. They cover your towels with a film that prevents them from being absorbed, even though I know they smell wonderful. Without the gunk, do you want softness? Occasionally, during the rinse cycle, add half a cup of white vinegar.

3. Dry Till Done

Remember, with no ifs or buts, before folding or storing your towels, make sure they are thoroughly dry. Mildew thrives on even the slightest amount of moisture, leaving an unpleasant odor. You don’t want this, right?

4. Let Your Towel Breathe

Your towels smell like lavender and fresh air after you just finished washing them, but two days later, they smell like a wet dog. Why? That’s because of bad storage.

5. No Damp Towels Allowed

How to keep towels fresh in the bathroom? Completely air dry after use before placing it on a hook or in a laundry basket. Bunched-up towels take a bit longer to dry and smell quickly, so it’s best to spread them out or hang them flat on a towel bar.

6. Don’t Go for the Cramped Closets

Your towels don’t get enough airflow if they’re jammed into a drawer that barely closes or an overflowing linen closet. And you’re on your way to musty-town if there is no airflow.

Try making use of:

• Open shelves
• Baskets made of wire or wicker
• Bins created from breathable cotton

Add some cedar wood blocks, baking soda sachets, or even a tiny bag of dried lavender to keep the smell natural and fresh. You can maintain cleanliness in your towel storage in this way. 

How to Fold Towels for Storage? 

We are habitual of folding them; however, when landed in hands, some rolled, some lumpy squares. But is it the right way of doing it?

Try these folding techniques:

• The towel should be folded lengthwise into thirds.
• Next, fold it in half.
• Fold again into a square.
• It stacks beautifully, looks sleek, and saves space.
• Fold in thirds lengthwise.
• From one end to the other, tightly roll.
• Place on a shelf or in a basket.
• Ideal if you want to look like you walked into a posh Airbnb.

Bonus tip: Roll some of your favourite towels and tie them with ribbon or twine if you’re hosting guests. Even though it’s a small detail, it looks quite elegant and inviting.

Bathroom Storage

It makes sense that the majority of us prefer to keep towels in the bathroom. However, bathrooms aren’t usually the best places to keep fresh-smelling towels, because they tend to be warm and humid.

If your towels need to be kept in the bathroom:

• Make sure it’s a well-ventilated area.
• Use a cabinet with open shelves or slatted doors for a more open and airy look.
• Include moisture-absorbing charcoal bags or packets of silica gel.
• The best way to store bathroom towels is in a linen closet or bedroom wardrobe.

Additionally, remember to pack towels that trap heat and moisture, the two things that prevent mildew.

You can find some amazing towels from us—visit now!

Make Them Smell as Good as They Look

Even after a week, do you want your towels to smell like they were just washed? Here’s how to maintain that freshness:

1. Essential Oils FTW

Place a cotton ball next to your towels and add a few drops of essential oil, such as lemon, eucalyptus, or lavender. It has a wonderful scent and naturally prevents mold and bacteria.

2. Citrus Peels

How to store towels? Another way is to tuck them into a tiny cloth pouch; dried orange or lemon peels can add a subtle fragrance to your storage space. These things keep everything airy and light.

3. DIY Fresh Packs

Place whole cloves, dried rosemary, and mint leaves in an open muslin bag. These natural deodorizers provide a fresh scent while absorbing moisture.

Know When It’s Time to Let Go

It’s time to let go of your towel if it has permanent stains or no longer feels soft even after a new wash. If used often, most towels survive around two years.

But don’t throw them away! Old towels may be:

• Slice into rags for cleaning
• For pets
• Animal shelters are always in need; consider donating to them.

How to keep towels smelling fresh? You can prolong the life of your towels by rotating them. Avoid using the same two towels repeatedly and instead rotate a few sets.

Travel and Guest Towels 

Everybody has a travel towel they keep in a luggage or gym bag, or that one pair of towels they store for when guests arrive. Even though they aren’t used as frequently, they still need to be stored in a fresh environment. Some fresh towel storage ideas for guest rooms are:

For Guest:

• Keep a dedicated bin or shelf just for them.
• Roll or fold with care.
• Add a little note or tag for that personal touch

For Travel:

• Store in breathable cotton pouches (not plastic).
• Add a dryer sheet or an essential oil pouch.
• Always let it fully dry after use before packing it away again.

Special Care for Baby Towels

Baby skin is sensitive, as you are already aware if you have little ones. Baby towels should be kept apart from adult towels and cleaned with a mild detergent that doesn’t have any scent.

Avoid placing scented items nearby; instead, set aside a separate basket or shelf specifically for baby linens. These should remain soft and neutral.

• Don’t Overlook the Sunshine
• Give your towels a little sunbath on bright days.

Lying them in the sun for a couple of hours:

• Naturally eliminates bacteria

• Makes white towels more vibrant.
• Gives them a smell of fresh air.

Just be careful—overexposure to sunlight can eventually cause the colors to fade.

Final Takeaway!

People usually think towels aren’t particularly crucial elements of your home’s décor, nor are they extravagant or trendy. However, they are more important than we realize.

Although it doesn’t require much work, properly storing your towels does have an impact. It keeps your skin (and sanity) grateful, your home smelling wonderful, and your towels supple.

So go ahead and give your towels the attention they need by creating that linen closet. For nothing says “home” more than a fresh, fluffy towel that is waiting for you.

So far, you know how to store towels; it’s time to move forward to the next step, which is buying them from a reliable source. Towel King is the ultimate choice here—explore the site to pick from the best collection.