How to Keep Your Towels Fresh and Odor-Free in UAE Weather

Bliss Kingdom-Jul 17 2025- 0 تعليقات

Living in the UAE means dealing with a unique climate high humidity, intense heat, and constant indoor air conditioning. While these conditions are manageable with the right lifestyle habits, they can create a challenge when it comes to keeping your towels clean and fresh. If you've ever picked up a towel that smells musty even after washing, you're not alone.

In this guide, we’ll show you simple, effective ways to keep your towels fresh, fluffy, and odor-free, perfect for daily use in UAE homes. Whether you live in a high-rise in Dubai Marina or a villa in Al Ain, these tips will work for your lifestyle and your laundry routine.

Why Towels Smell Bad in the UAE?

The UAE’s humid air makes it easier for bacteria and mildew to develop, especially in fabrics like towels that retain moisture. After a shower or beach trip, most people hang their towels indoors or leave them in laundry baskets, a perfect environment for smells to develop.

Add to that hard water in many Emirates, which causes detergent buildup, and you've got a recipe for sour-smelling towels.

1. Choose the Right Towel Material

First, your towels need to be made from materials that suit the UAE’s climate. Cotton towels are great because they’re breathable, soft, and naturally absorbent. But not all cotton is the same.

Egyptian cotton and combed cotton dry faster and stay fresher longer. Microfiber towels, like the ones used in our Cabana Stripes Beach/Pool Towels, are great too, they repel moisture and dry fast, which helps stop mildew before it starts.

2. Wash Towels More Frequently

In a dry climate, you might reuse towels for several days. But in the UAE, especially in summer, that’s not ideal. Heat and humidity mean your towel can become a breeding ground for bacteria within 24–48 hours.

How often should you wash?

Bath towels: every 2-3 uses
Hand towels: every 1-2 days
Beach towels: after each use

3. Don’t Overload the Machine

This is a common mistake. Overloading the washer means your towels don’t rinse properly. Detergent residue stays trapped, leading to stiff, smelly towels. Always leave enough space in your washer drum for water to move freely.

Wash towels separately from other clothes, they need more water and a thorough rinse cycle.

4. Use the Right Detergent (And Don’t Use Too Much)

In the UAE, many homes use strong detergent powders due to hard water, but this often backfires. Too much detergent doesn’t rinse out, especially on thick towels.

Use a liquid detergent and add half a cup of white vinegar every few washes. Vinegar breaks down buildup and naturally deodorizes. For deep cleaning, add a tablespoon of baking soda to remove odors without using chemicals.

According to Good Housekeeping, this combo works better than most fabric softeners and keeps towels fluffy without residue. ssd

5. Dry Towels the Right Way

Hanging your towel in a cramped bathroom won’t cut it. In the UAE’s air-conditioned homes, airflow is limited. After use:

Hang the towel fully spread on a drying rack or balcony
Avoid hanging behind the door or over hooks
Rotate the towel to air both sides

If you have a dryer, use it, but don’t overdry. Overheating can stiffen cotton fibers.

Bonus tip: Add wool dryer balls to your dryer cycle to soften towels naturally without using fabric softeners that reduce absorbency.

6. Avoid Fabric Softener

It might make your towel feel soft the first few times, but over time, fabric softener leaves a waxy coating that prevents absorption, especially in humid climates like the UAE.

Instead, opt for vinegar as a natural softener. It’s cheaper, safer, and much more effective in dealing with mildew and soap residue.

7. Rotate Your Towels

Don’t use the same 2 towels for weeks. Rotate between at least 4 to 6 towels per person in your household. This gives each towel time to rest and fully dry between uses, reducing bacteria buildup.

Also, if you’ve recently bought a new towel, break it in by washing it 2–3 times before first use. This removes any factory coating and helps the towel absorb better.

8. Store in a Dry Space

Once your towels are clean and dry, store them in a cool, dry cabinet. Avoid storing in damp areas like under the sink or beside the shower.

Add a few silica gel packets or natural cedar blocks to your towel shelf. They absorb extra moisture and prevent musty smells.

9. Invest in Quality Towels Made for UAE Homes

Not every towel can handle the humidity and frequent use that comes with life in the UAE. It's important to choose towels that are specifically designed for such a climate ones that dry quickly, stay fresh longer, and remain soft after repeated washes. Whether you're living in Ras Al Khaimah, Abu Dhabi, or central Dubai, opting for high-quality cotton or fast-drying microfiber towels can make a big difference in your daily routine.

10. Wash Your Washing Machine

Yes, really. If your washer smells bad, your towels will too. Run an empty hot water cycle once a month with:

1 cup of white vinegar
1 tablespoon of baking soda

This keeps your washer drum fresh and residue-free, which helps your towels stay clean.

11. Sun-Dry Whenever Possible

If you have a balcony or garden, dry your towels in direct sunlight. The sun naturally kills bacteria and removes odors, something indoor drying can’t fully do in humid areas.

Just 30 minutes of sun exposure can freshen up a towel better than most air-drying methods.

12. Replace Worn-Out Towels

No towel lasts forever. If your towel still smells even after all these steps or if it's losing absorbency, it's time to say goodbye.

Signs your towel needs replacing:

Still smells after washing
Feels rough or stiff
No longer absorbs water
Has thinning fabric or holes

Invest in quality replacements that are suited to UAE weather, like our Unisex Bathrobe for Men & Women, which doubles as a fast-drying post-shower towel alternative.

Conclusion

Keeping your towels fresh and odor-free in the UAE's heat and humidity doesn’t have to be a struggle. By choosing the right materials, drying them properly, and using simple methods like vinegar rinses or essential oils, you can avoid that musty smell and keep your bathroom feeling clean. Regular care goes a long way, especially when dealing with indoor drying, high temperatures, and frequent towel use.

In the Emirates, small steps make a big impact, from smart washing habits to quality towel choices. With just a little effort, your towels can stay soft, fresh, and ready for every shower, swim, or beach day. Don’t wait for the smell to show up prevent it before it starts.