Hot towel caddy smells help!

[Wai]

Hi Everyone,

I purchased a hot towel caddy a few months back and it needs to be cleaned but I am uncertain what to clean it any suggestions? I have wiped it out with hot towels but there is a strange order that is still there.. wierd. The towels are clean and smell good going in and I have used the UV light... but still kinda moldy smelling. Yes I did forget towels overnight once and I think that was the culprit. Thanks!

 

[.pokey.]

I hate bleach, but if it were me I would take a solution of water and bleach (your choice for the ratio) and dip a towel in it and wipe the whole thing down. I'd do this twice. Then I'd take a new towel and new water and rinse 3 times or more. Each rinse would be with a new fresh clean towel. Never dipping a dirty towel back in the water. I'd try that and see what happens.

Sometimes in the spa where I work there is a smell to the towels, but I think it is the soap. It's definitely not mildew. Depending on your washer, it may or may not rinse completely.

Just some thoughts! No, I've never had that problem and I've had my warmer for about a year, and I have left towels in it. I am also in New Mexico and I leave the towel warmer door open when I leave for the day, so that it dries out.

 

[msdixie]

it could be the smell of the uv light. sometimes that can be strong. also, if you use any EOs in your towels. i use a grapeseed oven cleaner in mine and it works wonders. find some natural oven cleaner and try that.

good luck!
~amanda

 

[the fullback]

In most Hot Towel CABIS (short for cabinet) there is a drip tray underneath that slides out. Check for it and pull it out to clean that and underneath using a strong disinfectant. Bleach or cavicide would be my choices.

I've never noticed any smells from the UV light but I suppose there could be one.

 

[ManofViagra]

Smelly Cabbie

uh.. I am a dork... its the tray underneath that had really stale old water in it.. I did not know it was there!! Live and learn :=). thanks again for all your replies.. you guys are the best!

Amanda

 

[crickeys]

You didn't know the tray came out for emptying? Wow, I'm surprised you didn't have a mini-flood... we have to empty our trays under the hot towel cabi 2-3 times per day it seems!
Glad you figured out what it was!

 

[chick]

Mastra~ Had that problem too, then I started ringing out the towles better before placing them in the cabi, and that took care of the problem!

Makingachange~ I am intrigued about the grapeseed oven cleaner? I am always trying to find effective, non-chemical products to use here and at home. Do tell!

I have also left a towel or two in the cabi overnight, but it didn't end up smelling....? So I am also leaning towards the UV light or laundering process to be the culprit. I know that *sometimes* I have left damp towels in the dryer too long, then try to dry them again or put them away damp and they end up having an odor.

Hope you figure it out!

 

[hnmmnhm?]

Premo, we leave the towels in overnight. And therefore they have to be left more slightly wet. Otherwise they have a tendency to get "scorched"...
We have been having really humid weather lately so I think between the humidity and the wet towels, those trays are filling up pretty fast. Just need to keep a good eye on them!

 

[PARVFAN]

You mean you leave the towel warmer on with wet towels in it over night? Is this so they are hot and ready to go the next morning? Do you use a timer for them to come on before you get there?

Just trying to figure it out. Never thought of leaving them in overnight.

 

[Christy A]

when i worked in the spa we used a timer because we weren't allowed to be at work early. it worked well as long as the person before you didn't turn off the machine!

premo, i'll pm you the cleaner.

 

[Niicole]

You mean you leave the towel warmer on with wet towels in it over night? Is this so they are hot and ready to go the next morning? Do you use a timer for them to come on before you get there?

Just trying to figure it out. Never thought of leaving them in overnight.

We put them in at the end of the day, turn the hot towel cabinets off. The owner comes in early to turn on the oil warmers and the hot towel cabinets, usually at least an hour before we are seeing our first clients.

Sometimes if they are wrung out a little too well they get "scorched"... it washes out, but doesn't look good when you have to use them. We try to rotate them during the day and leave them a bit wetter and it usually is ok. We just have to keep emptying the trays to avoid "overflow!"