15 Minutes in Boiling Water and Washing Soda Fixes Smelly Tea Towels

Boiling tea towels in a bucket of water mixed with washing soda removes odors that standard machine washing fails to eliminate. Chef Charles Kim, known online as Chef Fatty, released a video this week instructing households to abandon their washing machines for stubbornly smelly kitchen linens.

Kim argues that a normal wash cycle leaves bacteria alive inside the towel fibers. He stated, "If your towel still smells after you wash it, it's because the bacteria is living inside the fibres. And a normal wash won't get rid of it." He added that using more detergent makes the problem worse by trapping residue inside the fabric.

The recommended method requires a bucket or large saucepan. The user fills the container with boiling water and adds approximately two tablespoons of washing soda. The towel is then submerged in the solution and boiled for a minimum of 15 minutes. This high-heat process kills the bacteria that survive in the damp, waxy residue left by standard detergents and fabric conditioners.

Kim also provided a way to make washing soda at home without buying a specialized product. He advised spreading baking soda on a baking tray and placing it in an oven at 180 degrees for 30 minutes. This heating process converts sodium bicarbonate into sodium carbonate, a more alkaline cleaner. The reaction releases carbon dioxide gas and water, creating a substance more effective at cutting through grease and softening hard water.

For households without a large enough pot, Kim offered a backup plan. Users can set their washing machine to the hottest available cycle. In that specific scenario, he recommended using oxygen bleach powder and detergent. He stressed that fabric softener should never be used, as it contributes to the waxy buildup that traps odor-causing agents.

The chef warned viewers, "Never ever ever wash a stinky towel." He explained that neglecting to wash towels regularly allows mildew and bacteria to breed. When towels remain damp for long periods, they create an environment where these microbes thrive, leading to the persistent smells that the boiling method is designed to erase.