Kitchen Towels: Boiling Water and Washing Soda Kill Trapped Odors

A popular chef claims that standard laundry methods fail to remove bacteria from tea towels.

Charles Kim, known online as Chef Fatty, recently shared a video advising households to stop using washing machines for smelly tea towels. He argues that routine machine washing traps odor-causing bacteria inside the fabric fibers. Kim stated that a normal wash does not eliminate the microorganisms living within the material.

The chef explained that adding excess detergent or fabric conditioner worsens the problem. These products leave a waxy residue on the towel fibers. This buildup traps body oils, dead skin cells, and moisture rather than rinsing them away. The damp environment allows bacteria and mildew to thrive, creating a persistent smell even after the towel appears clean.

Kim’s recommended solution involves boiling water and washing soda. He instructs users to fill a bucket or large saucepan with boiling water and add two tablespoons of washing soda. The towel should be submerged and boiled for a minimum of 15 minutes. This high-heat process is designed to kill the bacteria embedded in the fibers.

Washing soda can be purchased pre-made or created at home. Kim previously noted that heating baking soda in an oven at 180 degrees for 30 minutes transforms it into washing soda. The heat triggers a chemical reaction that removes water and releases carbon dioxide. This process increases the pH level, making the cleaner more effective at cutting through grease and softening hard water.

For those without a sufficiently large bucket or saucepan, Kim suggested using a washing machine on its hottest cycle. In that scenario, he advised using oxygen bleach powder and detergent. He emphasized that fabric softener should never be used when laundering tea towels.

The method relies on chemical heat to break down the residue that standard detergents leave behind. By avoiding the machine's lower temperatures, the process aims to fully sanitize the fabric.