How to Get Fish Smell Out of Kitchen Towels and Sponges

Why Fish Smell Lingers in Towels and Sponges

Fish odor is not just a surface smell. The compounds responsible, such as trimethylamine, are volatile oils that cling to fabric fibers and the porous surface of sponges. When you wipe a fishy counter or dry your hands after handling fish, these oils transfer and bind to the material.

Warmth and moisture from kitchen use make the problem worse. Bacteria feed on the organic residue, breaking it down and releasing more odor. A towel that is left crumpled or a sponge that stays wet becomes a breeding ground, so the smell intensifies over time.

The key to removing the smell is to break down the oils and kill the bacteria, not just mask the odor with fragrance. Ordinary detergent alone may not fully remove the oils, which is why a dedicated deodorizing step is often necessary.

The Worked Example: A Full Deodorizing Wash

Imagine you've just cooked a whole fish, used two cotton kitchen towels to pat it dry, and wiped your hands on a third. You also used a sponge to clean the counter. The towels now smell strongly of fish, and the sponge has a lingering odor even after rinsing.

Start by rinsing the towels under cold water to remove any loose fish bits. Then, soak them in a solution of cold water and one cup of white vinegar for 15 minutes. Vinegar is a mild acid that helps break down the amines responsible for the fishy smell. Do not use hot water at this stage, as heat can set the oils into the fabric.

After the soak, wring out the towels and place them in the washing machine. Add your regular detergent and half a cup of baking soda to the drum. Baking soda neutralizes odors and boosts the cleaning power of the detergent. Wash on the hottest cycle the fabric care label allows, then dry thoroughly in a dryer or in direct sunlight.

• Rinse towels under cold water to remove loose debris.
• Soak in cold water with 1 cup white vinegar for 15 minutes.
• Wash with detergent and 1/2 cup baking soda on the hottest safe cycle.
• Dry completely in a dryer or in direct sunlight.

Treating the Sponge: Soak, Scrub, and Sanitize

Sponges need a different approach because they cannot go in the washing machine. The porous structure traps oils and bacteria deep inside, so a quick rinse is never enough. For the sponge from our example, start by squeezing it out and rinsing it under warm water.

Prepare a bowl with one cup of warm water and a quarter cup of lemon juice. Lemon juice contains citric acid, which cuts through oils and leaves a fresh scent. Submerge the sponge and let it soak for 30 minutes. Then, scrub the sponge against itself under running water to loosen any trapped residue.

To finish, sanitize the sponge by microwaving it for one minute on high, but only if it is wet and free of any metal scrubby material. Alternatively, you can run it through the dishwasher's hottest cycle. Let it air dry completely before using again. This kills bacteria that cause lingering odor.

Dealing with Stubborn or Set-In Smells

Sometimes the smell persists after a first wash, especially if the towels were left damp for hours or the fish was particularly oily. For these cases, you can repeat the vinegar soak and add an extra step: a paste of baking soda and water applied directly to the fabric.

Rub the paste into the smelliest areas, let it sit for 15 minutes, then rinse and wash again. For sponges, a stronger soak using a solution of one part hydrogen peroxide to three parts water can help. Peroxide is an oxidizing agent that breaks down odor molecules, but test it on an inconspicuous spot first, as it can bleach some materials.

If a towel still smells after two full treatments, the oils may be deeply embedded. Consider repurposing it as a cleaning rag or replacing it. Some synthetic fabrics absorb odors more readily than natural fibers, so check the care label and adjust your approach accordingly.

Preventing Fish Smell from Returning

Prevention is simpler than cure. After handling fish, rinse your towels and sponge immediately with cold water and wring them out. Hang towels to dry on a rack rather than leaving them in a pile, and place sponges in a well-ventilated spot or a sponge holder that allows air circulation.

Use separate towels for fish and other kitchen tasks. Designate one towel for wiping hands and another for drying dishes, and mark them if needed. This reduces cross-contamination of odors.

Replace your sponge every two to three weeks, or sooner if it develops a sour smell. Regularly washing your kitchen towels in hot water with vinegar or baking soda, even when they don't smell, helps keep them fresh and prevents odors from building up.