Chef Fatty Advises Boiling Tea Towels With Washing Soda to Eliminate Odors

Chef Charles Kim, known online as Chef Fatty, has recommended that households skip the washing machine when cleaning odorous tea towels. He advised submerging the fabric in a bucket or large saucepan of boiling water mixed with two tablespoons of washing soda for at least 15 minutes to remove persistent smells.

Kim argued that standard machine washing often fails to eliminate the source of bad odors. He stated that bacteria survive inside the towel fibers and that a normal wash does not remove them. He warned that adding more detergent to the machine can worsen the problem by trapping residue within the fabric.

The chef explained that excess detergent and fabric conditioner leave a waxy film on towel fibers. This buildup holds onto body oils, dead skin cells, and moisture, which creates conditions for odor-causing bacteria to grow. If towels remain damp for extended periods, mildew and bacteria can spread rapidly, according to the chef.

Washing soda, also known as sodium carbonate, is a highly alkaline cleaner. Kim noted that it can be made at home by spreading baking soda, or sodium bicarbonate, on a baking tray and baking it in an oven at 180 degrees Celsius for 30 minutes. The heat triggers a chemical reaction that removes water and releases carbon dioxide gas, increasing the pH level and improving its ability to cut through grease and stains.

Kim instructed viewers to add the washing soda to the boiling water before submerging the towel. He said the 15-minute boil is necessary to kill the bacteria living in the fibers. For those without a sufficiently large pot, he suggested using the washing machine’s hottest cycle with oxygen bleach powder and detergent, but only if the pot method is not possible.

The chef emphasized that fabric softener should never be used when laundering towels. He urged people to stop putting smelly towels in the machine, telling viewers in a recent video, "Never ever ever wash a stinky towel. Let me explain."

Kim previously shared that heating baking soda transforms it into a more potent cleaner commonly found in washing powder. The method offers an alternative to traditional laundering for household items that are used daily but frequently overlooked during cleaning routines.