We use towels every single day to dry our bodies when we get out of the shower or after having a wash at the sink. We all know we should be cleaning our towels regularly, but sometimes, just throwing them in the washing machine isn't enough.

If you've had your towels for a while, you might have noticed an unpleasant odour coming from them. Your first instinct might be to throw them in the wash, but after a spin in the washing machine, the smell doesn't go away.

But this isn't a sign you need to throw out your towels and buy new ones, as there's an easy way to remove odours with just two items - and you probably have them sitting in your kitchen cupboard right now.

According to Courtney Jacobs, a cleaning expert, odours build up in towels for a variety of reasons. If towels are not properly dried out, they can accumulate mildew. Using fabric softener can also make them smell because it coats the towels in a waxy layer that traps moisture.

In a video on Instagram, Courtney explained there's one simple way to solve this problem - using white vinegar and baking soda in your next wash.

She said: "Here's how you reset your towels. Wash them in hot water with one cup of white vinegar and no detergent. After that's done, run a second wash with half a cup of baking soda, again on a hot cycle. Throw them in the dryer and dry completely to make sure there is no damp."

Although she recommends washing your towels twice to remove the odours, in the caption of her video, the expert did state you can use white vinegar or baking soda to break down buildup, as you don't always need to use both. White vinegar can be purchased from some supermarkets for as little as 35p, while baking soda is often priced at around 65p.

Courtney also suggested staying away from fabric softeners when washing your towels, as they "do more harm than good" because of the waxy finish they can leave on the fibres. This can make your towels less effective at drying, as well as trapping moisture and causing more odours in the long run.

How to remove odours from towels

1. Wash with Vinegar and Baking Soda

• First Wash: Place towels in the washing machine. Add 1 cup of white vinegar (no detergent) and wash in hot water.
• Second Wash: Leave the towels in the machine, add ½ cup of baking soda (no detergent) and wash again in hot water.
• Dry thoroughly: Dry towels completely in the dryer or outside in the sun. Sunlight can help kill bacteria and remove odours.

2. Other Tips

• Avoid fabric softener: It can leave residue that traps odours.
• Don't overload the washer: Towels need space to rinse thoroughly.
• Dry promptly: Don't let wet towels sit in the washer.
• Use less detergent: Too much detergent can build up and cause smells.
• Hang towels to dry: After each use, hang towels so they can air out and dry fully.

3. Prevent Future Odours

• Wash towels every 3-4 uses.
• Make sure towels are completely dry before folding and storing.
• Occasionally, repeat the vinegar and baking soda wash to keep towels fresh.

If odours persist, it may be time to replace old towels, as fibres can break down and harbour bacteria over time.