Does your kitchen smell like your dish rags? Smelly dish rags sometimes become that way because of mold sometimes, but most of the time the smell is caused by bacteria. The worse the smell, the more bacteria there are.
This means your stinky dishcloth isn’t just a bad smell – it can also spread bacteria to your counters, kitchen surfaces, and even your hands. So, read my steps to get rid of the bacteria that make your dishcloth smell and tips to keep it smelling fresh in the future.
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How to get rid of dish rag odors
Once your dishcloth takes on a persistent odor, regular washing alone won’t get rid of the problem. To get your smelly dish rag fresh again, you’ll need to address the source of the smell by either boiling or soaking in baking soda or peroxide. Here’s how.
Boil scented rags to freshen up
To kill odor-causing bacteria on your dish rags, boil them in a pot filled with 1 part white vinegar to 2 parts water for 15 minutes. When the time is up, turn off the heat and wait for the rags to cool enough to handle. Once done, wring them out and then throw them in the washing machine using your usual detergent and warm water. Tumble dry for 45 minutes or line-dry in bright sunlight for additional disinfection.
Baking soda alternative
To make a baking soda soak that eliminates dish rag odors, dissolve 1 cup of baking soda (bicarbonate) in 1 gallon of warm water, then add your dish cloths and let them soak for 30 minutes. After that, wash them in a hot water cycle with your usual amount of detergent and dry them as desired. This works because the baking soda weakens the bacterial film and the hot wash removes them from the fabric.
Hydrogen peroxide alternative
A prolonged soak in equal parts hydrogen peroxide and hot water also kills foul-smelling bacteria. Hydrogen peroxide is a natural disinfectantbut it can lighten some fabrics like this field test this method first. After soaking your scented cloth for at least 30 minutes in the mixture, wring it out and run it through a hot wash cycle.
How to prevent smelly dishcloths
After using one of the above methods to get rid of that musty, musty smell on your dish rags, you’ll still need to tweak your routine to keep them from smelling again.
Choose fabrics that dry quickly
The thicker the dishcloth, the more likely it is to smell. Plush dishcloths are harder to wash and take longer to dry, so they trap more food particles and breed more bacteria. Opt for thin waffle-weave dishcloths, or switch to sponges and throw them in the dishwasher after use.
Wash dish towels in hot water
Cold water doesn’t kill bacteria, but hot wash cycles can if it’s above 140 F (60 C). If you must use cold water, use bleach, laundry detergent, or 2 cups of vinegar in the wash cycle.
Skip the conditioner
Avoid using fabric softener when washing dishcloths. Both liquid fabric softeners and dryer sheets rely on substances that can trap bacteria and make your dish rags smell even after you’ve washed them. Still want that soft, fluffy feel? Replace your fabric softener with vinegar On the contrary — not only does it leave fabrics smelling fresh and looking their best, it also eliminates odors.
