That musty smell isn't dirt, it's bacteria and mildew growing in a cloth that was put away damp. The good news: it's completely avoidable and even a cloth that's already turned can be brought back. Here's how to keep yours smelling clean.
The one rule that matters most, in one sentence.
Never store your KoalaCloth damp, rinse it after every use and let it dry completely before it goes in the drawer and the smell can never start.
The step by step guide.
1. Rinse straight after use. Flush out the grime, grease and skin oils the cloth just lifted — that's exactly what bacteria feed on. A quick rinse under the tap is enough.
2. Wring it out well. The less water left in the fibres, the faster it dries and the less time bacteria have to multiply.
3. Hang it flat to dry, never bunched up. Spread it over a rail or hook so air reaches both sides. A cloth wadded on the sink or tossed in a bin stays damp for hours and that's where the smell begins.
4. Check it's bone-dry before storing. Fold it over and press it between your hands, if you feel any coolness or damp, it needs more time drying. Only a fully dry cloth goes back in the drawer.
5. Keep a few in rotation. Two or three cloths swapped between uses means each one gets time to dry fully, no cloth ever goes back wet.
Common Questions
Q1) My cloth already smells musty — can I save it?
Almost always, yes. Soak it for 30–60 minutes in cool water with a cup of white vinegar (add half a cup of bicarb soda for stubborn smells), then wash as normal. The vinegar kills the bacteria and strips out any softener film, no fragrance needed and it rinses out completely.
Q2) How often should I machine wash it?
Rinse after every use, and give it a full machine wash every week or two, sooner if it's been on heavy grease or a bathroom clean. Regular washing stops the oil buildup that odours grow from.
Q3) Can I speed up drying in the tumble dryer?
Best not to, high heat damages the microfibres and shortens the cloth's life. Air-drying is always best; if you must use a dryer, low heat only. A well-hung cloth usually dries on its own within a couple of hours.
Q4) The smell keeps coming back even after washing, why?
Two usual causes: fabric softener buildup (do the vinegar soak in Q1 to strip it), or a washing machine that's holding its own biofilm. Run an empty hot cycle with vinegar to freshen the machine and the smell won't keep re-seeding onto your cloths.
