I forgot a load of clothes in the washer and they soured?

Question

The towels are the worst, after washing and rewashing I still can't get the smell out. Any suggestions to remove the odor or should I just throw them all away?

Answer 1

wash them again but only half at a time, use the regular detergent then use a scoop of oxy clean.

Answer 2

let them completly dry and make a smaller load of them but set the washer on large load with extra detergent.  then throw a fabric softener in the dryer cycle.

Answer 3

lotsa powdered soap in both of the washing machines compartment (left and right). and do PREWASH. also ALOT of lenor/comfort (conditoner) in the middle compartment, put it in twice if need be.

this will DEFFO take the smell out. trust me! has happened to me lotsa times!

EDIT: this had happened to me a billion tyms!

what i suggested really does works (dry the clothes first).

most washing machines (im from the uk) has THREE compartments wher you put in the powder and fabric conditioner. fill em up!

DEFFINATELY do a prewash, which means the washing machine washes ur clothes TWICE.

then dry.

Answer 4

add a little vinegar

Answer 5

If you have a large basement sink, put all of the towels into it, fill it with water, and add 1/2 bottle of vodka. It really works to take out the smell.  

Answer 6

Ive dont that before too. After a few washes I thought helped but maybe yours were left really long?

Anyway, can you hang them up outside?? That might help to air them out a bit.. do they smell kinda like a wet dog or musty?

That's what mine smelled like. Try hanging them up outside and the breeze and dryness should help.

If that doesn't work, put some strong smelling soap and hot bath water in your bathtub.. then put the clothes in and let them sit while you are at work... this should get that good smell back into them, then wash and dry and see what they are like.

Answer 7

i hate when that happends

wash them

hang them outside to dry

and wash them again

hanging them outside usually gets the smell out.

Answer 8

wash again add some baking soda arm & hammer,

Answer 9

use baking soda or vinegar instead of soap the next time you wash them, hang in the sun to dry

Answer 10

Honestly I am not sure.  Baking soda is very good at taking odors out but I am not sure if you can put it in the wash.  Hopefully someone will be able to help more, but that is my suggestion...IF you can put it in the wash.

Answer 11

throw them away if they smell that bad

Answer 12

Try a little bit of baking soda in your wash, that may help.  That, or some vinegar.  Don't put them in both at the same time, though... well, unless you want a foamy mess.  As for the vinegar - yes, it smells, but it'll get the sourness out, and the vinegar smell goes away.

Answer 13

use pine oil-maybe a hald cup in warm water.

Answer 14

Put a cup of white vinegar in with the load along with the detergent.

Works great for me!  

Answer 15

Try putting them back in the washing machine and washing them with a little vinegar.  This should work.

Answer 16

Wash them in 1-2 cups white vinegar. Vinegar is a great deodorizer and it kills the mold/mildew which is causing the sour smell.  The vinegar smell will dissipate as it dries.

Answer 17

Try adding baking soda to the wash and add vinegar to the rinse.

Or add several drops of essential oil to the wash after it has agitated in hot, soapy water for a while.  My favorite oils are lemon, lavender, ylang-ylang, and peppermint.  Essential oils are antibacterial, antifungal and they smell wonderful.  They will clean your laundry without "masking" the smell of the mildew.

Answer 18

thats wat hapened to me............

put them in the dryer so they can become a little more dry and then wipe the inside washing machine with bleach and then rinse it out, then put the clothes back in and put good smelling detergent and fabric softner....you could use color safe bleach also....

plzz choose this as best answer

Answer 19

a double dose of liquid detergent, and a splash of pine-sol.

Answer 20

Re-wash them in the warmest setting the towels can tolerate; add a lot of baking soda, and stop the cycle where they can soak for a while.  Don't forget to start up the machine again!!!

Answer 21

lot of fabric softner!

Answer 22

Don't worry it is no big deal , do not use any fabric softener when you wash them again , Basically i have done this so many times , all you have to do it get some baking soda , and white vinegar 1/3 cup of vinegar , and use 1 1/2 cup of baking soda you can use 2 cups if you would like to I use 2 cups when i do this and i don't use the vinegar i cant stand to smell it ''it makes me sick '' and just re wash them as you normally would and the minute they are finished dry them . but if you use softener they will still smell bad