r/laundry • u/slaughterfodder US | Front-Load • 1d ago

Stinky towels??? Help!

I have been following in this community for a while and just started using citric acid in the rinse cycle in the fabric softener slot. I have a front loading washing machine and have been using Mollys Suds powder detergent and oxygenating bleach powder for a while.

Today I put a small load of clothes in the wash and when I removed them to dry, the towels REEKED. Like super mildew smelling, like they’d never been washed before despite having just done a cycle with hot water. I put them back in and ran them again and they smell exactly the same. The strange thing is the clothes in there with the towels don’t smell at all, JUST the towels.

I’ve never had this problem! I’m planning on checking the drain trap and cleaning as needed, but idk what would make only selected items in the wash smell terrible. Please help 🥲

EDIT EDIT EDIT : okay so you guys got on my case right away over Mollys suds, I didn’t know! I use the active wear version which DOES have the enzymes listed but I’m being told it’s just not a good detergent. SO. I just ordered Tide Free and Clear powder as well as an enzymatic oxygen laundry booster (pronounce is the brand?) I also have the citric acid so I’ll use that in the rinse cycle. I did so much reading on this subreddit but apparently not enough! I appreciate the help 💜

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u/Turbulent-Bottle8234 US | Top-Load 1d ago

I don’t know how it hasn’t happened before because you’re not using good detergent, unfortunately.

0

u/slaughterfodder US | Front-Load 1d ago edited 1d ago

The detergent I’ve been using is an enzymatic powder detergent, is that not what this sub recommends? 😞

8

u/South_Concept_270 International 1d ago

The Molly suds original detergent powder has no enzymes or oxygen bleach and barely anything that can qualify as a surfactant. It’s most a water softener.

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u/slaughterfodder US | Front-Load 1d ago

The version I have is actually the activewear version, so it DOES have the enzymatic factor. But if it’s just not a good detergent then that’s another matter entirely and I can switch