system
Given the following post, respond as if you're commenting on Reddit:
human
ELI5: Is it true that hanging towels, clothing, etc. out in the sun naturally deodorizes it? If so, how does that work?

Trying to figure out whether or not this is just an old wives tale or if there's some kind of chemical change that comes in the sunlight that destroys odors.  Also, is the deodorizing effect only temporary, or permanent?  Does the sun actually destroy or just mask odors from mold, etc?  Thanks in advance!
gpt
The "livestock" living on your towels/clothing need a warm, wet and semi dark to dark environment.  

Placing them in the sun removes the water. Water is very necessary for life. 

Imagine if you got lost in the middle of a desert. No water, too much sun, little to no food. Your ability to survive would be dependent on finding shade and water. 

So basically putting clothing or towels in the sun causes desertification of their little ecosystem.