Kind of interesting, maybe.

[Marthe48]

I noticed recently that after a day or two of use, the hand towels in my bathroom start smelling like corn chips. I don't like the smell. I just Googled and things will start to smell like corn chips (or a yeasty smell) caused by a couple kinds of bacteria.

I wash my towels and bedding in warm water, with soap and vinegar. During Covid, I changed the towels daily or any time I went out. Now, I use the same one for a couple of days. I always air dry used towels before I toss them in the basket. Guess I'll start changing them daily to avoid the smell.

All of my hand towels are several years old, and I kind of wonder if that is part of the reason they get smelly.

[Kali]

1. I use hot water on dark towels, and on older or light colors I use chlorine bleach. also sun dry.

if your machine allows it, fill and mix bleach before adding fabric. or if you have to use a dispenser dilute the bleach in water

[usonian]

2. I think you've got the answer.

Like old t-shirts. Not a chemist or biologist. Get new ones before the price goes up.

[magicarpet]

3. On a sunny day hang them up out in the sun,...

.... flip them over and get the other side for sun exposure too. Maybe pick a nice spot with high sun exposure and put up a temp clothes line. Sun dried laundry is so refreshing to smell. Sheets and pillow cases dried in the sun are heaven sent.

[applegrove]

5. I love clothes line smell on laundry. My mom had one when we were kids.

[Bayard]

4. Its the same thing that happens with dog's paws

They get bacterial infections that make them smell like Fritos. Shampoo with anti-fungal/bacterial shampoo.

I'd use bleach in the towel laundry, and sun dry.

[MLAA]

6. I recently noticed an old but loved pillow smelled like corn chips! Thank you, will replace them. ❤️

[PoindexterOglethorpe]

7. You should absolutely be washing sheets and towels in hot water.

Hot, not warm. And vinegar will do nothing about the smell. Try bleach.

And if you can hang them outside in the sun, that's nice.