Terry Tote Bag Care: Keep Your Beach Tote Fresh

Quick answer

Wash your terry tote in cold water on a gentle cycle, skip the dryer, and air-dry it fully before storing. That routine prevents the trapped moisture that makes a beach tote smell musty.

Why terry cloth totes hold onto smells

Terry cloth is built from loops that absorb water well, which is great at the beach but also means the fabric holds moisture longer than a flat woven bag. If you toss a damp tote into a closet or car trunk, the inner layers stay wet and start to smell musty.

The lining matters too. A cotton canvas lining adds structure but can trap sand and damp air against the terry outer layer. Shake out sand after every trip and let the bag dry open and empty.

The one thing that makes musty smells worse

Heat. Washing in hot water or putting a terry tote in the dryer can set odors and stress the fabric, especially on a print like the Skatie Zebra Terry Tote. Cold water and air-drying are safer for both the terry loops and the zebra pattern.

When cleaning is not enough

If a musty smell returns within a day or two of washing and drying, the problem is likely inside the lining or padding where moisture keeps coming back. At that point, repeated washing will not fix it. Choose a different bag for wet gear or replace the tote if the smell persists after two full wash-and-air-dry cycles.

Diagnose your terry tote problem

• Symptom: musty smell after a beach day: Cause: moisture trapped in terry loops or lining. Action: wash in cold water on gentle cycle with mild detergent, then air-dry completely open and inside out. Stop if smell persists after two washes.
• Symptom: zebra print looks faded or dull: Cause: hot water, harsh detergent, or direct sun drying. Action: wash cold, use color-safe detergent, and dry in shade. Stop if print still fades after one gentle wash.
• Symptom: sand keeps appearing after washing: Cause: sand trapped in lining seams or pocket. Action: shake vigorously outdoors and brush seams before washing. Stop if sand remains after two shake-outs.

Product note

• Skatie Zebra Terry Tote: Built-in pocket and sturdy cotton canvas lining. The lining holds shape but needs thorough air-drying, so turn the bag inside out after washing.