I am guilty of forgetting about a load of laundry, especially towels, in the washer and ending up with that awful mildew smell that never really comes out no matter how many times you rewash them.  I found the solution!!!  Well, actually, I didn’t find it.  Turns out it is pretty common knowledge, as well as an old wives’ tale.  But hey, it’s new to me.  So what I was told was to first was the towels on the hot setting using only 1 cup of vinegar in the detergent slot.  I used apple cider vinegar as it was what I had on hand.  Then rewash on the hot setting again but this time using one 1/2 cup of baking soda in the detergent slot.  I was skeptical but I have to admit, the results were fantastic!  My towels smell fresh and are soft.  I’m planning on doing this to all my towels over the next week.  I guess the moral of the story is to never underestimate an old wives’ tale?!