Nursing’s Shanina Knighton explains why damp sheets can develop sour odors

I couldn’t figure out why my clean sheets smelled sour — then an expert stepped in

Tom's Guide: Shanina Knighton, research associate professor at the Frances Payne Bolton School of Nursing, said that damp sheets allow bacteria to multiply, creating sour, urine-like odors. She recommends thoroughly drying bedding, avoiding fabric softener and synthetic fabrics, cleaning washers and using the warmest safe water cycle.