Stepping out of a nice warm shower and wrapping up in a fresh fluffy towel is one of life’s simple luxuries.
But how often do our towels need washing to stay fresh and clean?
Read on for expert advice on the optimum washing frequency for bath towels, hand towels, and more.
Why It’s Important To Wash Towels Regularly
Even though we use towels on clean skin, they still accumulate dead skin cells, bodily fluids, and microbes. Bacteria levels can soar from 190,000 per towel initially to 17 million after just one use and up to a staggering 94 million after a week!
Damp towels breed fungi and bacteria optimally in the warm, humid conditions of the bathroom. Using a dirty towel can transfer microbes back onto your skin, potentially causing infections and skin irritation.
Dermatologist Dr Kristina Collins warns that bacteria accumulating on towels can worsen facial and body acne, folliculitis, and flare-ups of eczema or dermatitis. Washing regularly is key for clean, irritation-free skin.
Expert Guidelines On Optimum Towel Washing Frequency
Most experts advise washing bath towels after 2-3 uses, or at least weekly. This strikes the right balance between hygiene and avoiding unnecessary laundry.
Gym towels or towels that stay damp should be washed after every use. The warm, sweaty conditions are perfect for microbes to thrive.
Replace hand towels daily or every 2 days. They tend to get more constant use from multiple household members.
Throw towels in the laundry whenever they smell musty or sour, as this indicates fungal and bacterial overgrowth.
Increase washing frequency if you have skin conditions like eczema or are recovering from surgery. Open wounds are at higher risk of infection from contaminated towels.
How To Tell When Your Towels Need A Wash
Trust your nose! Musty, sour, or funky odors are sure signs microbes are flourishing and it’s laundry time.
Check for dampness – towels that stay moist are likely harboring unhealthy bacterial growth.
Shared gym or toilet towels need daily replacement as they encounter many users.
Visible stains also mean it’s time for the wash. Don’t let them set and become stubborn.
Risks Of Using Dirty Towels
Dirty towels don’t just smell unpleasant. They can harbor fungi, viruses, and bacteria that transfer back to your skin.
Staph infections like MRSA easily spread through contaminated towels and linens.
Conjunctivitis can be transmitted to the eyes after drying your face on a dirty towel.
Athlete’s foot and nail fungus also thrive on damp towels exposed to infected bare feet.
Even more serious, using very dirty towels could theoretically cause boils or minor skin infections. However, this is quite rare unless you have significant open wounds.
Tips For Effective Towel Laundering
Wash bath towels separately from underwear and heavily soiled items to prevent cross-contamination.
Use hot water above 140°F with a laundry detergent containing enzymes to kill germs.
Skip fabric softener and dryer sheets as they reduce absorbency and proliferate bacteria.
Shake towels out thoroughly before drying to maximize fluffiness. Always ensure they are completely dry.
Sanitize washing machines monthly to prevent the build-up of grime, bacteria, and soap scum.
Storing Towels Properly
Never leave damp used towels piled in the bathroom! This warm humid environment encourages further microbe proliferation.
Always hang towels to fully air dry on a rack or rail, and spread them open. Avoid hook drying.
Optimal drying areas are outside of bathrooms – hang in closets or on open bathroom doors.
Fold or stack dry towels in a ventilated linen closet. Avoid shelving them in the damp bathroom.
How Often Should You Replace Towels?
With proper laundering, quality cotton or microfiber towels should last around 2-4 years before needing replacement.
Replace when towels go rough, thin, or lose their absorbency. Heat damage from over-drying can prematurely break down towel fibers.
Persistent musty smells that don’t wash out indicate unsalvageable bacterial damage. Toss these towels.
What’s The Optimum Washing Frequency For Other Towels?
Wash washcloths after every use – they encounter your dirtiest, germiest skin!
Kitchen towels should be washed at least weekly, or daily if used for raw meats. Rotate 2 sets.
Replace hand towels every 1-2 days given their frequent use.
Bath mats weekly are ideal as they harbor high bacterial counts when damp.
Frequently Asked Questions
How can I make towels softer?
- Wash in cold water to preserve fibers.
- Use an extra rinse cycle to remove excess detergent.
- Shake towels thoroughly before drying.
- Avoid overloading dryers and over-drying towels.
- Try dryer balls instead of fabric softener.
- Invest in quality, high cotton percentage towels.
How do I sanitize towels?
- Wash in hot water above 130°F.
- Use a laundry detergent containing enzymes to break down microbes.
- Add oxygen bleach instead of chlorine bleach for whitening.
- Periodically sanitize washing machines.
- Disinfectant sprays containing peroxide can be used too.
How can I stop my towels from smelling musty?
- Never leave damp towels piled up.
- Always hang towels fully open to dry.
- Wash straight away when any musty smell develops.
- Wash towels separately from dirty underwear.
- Consider lighter-weight towels that dry quicker.
When should I use bleach on towels?
- Only use oxygen bleach on colored towels to prevent fading.
- Diluted chlorine bleach can occasionally sanitize whites but may damage fibers over time.
- Soak towels in vinegar solution to kill odors without damage before washing.
- Wash musty towels with bleach alternative detergents.
Is it safe to share towels with family?
- It’s generally fine to share towels with healthy family members.
- Avoid sharing with anyone with infections, open wounds, or compromised immunity.
- Don’t share with children who may have poor hygiene.
- Each family member should have their own hand and face towel.
Conclusion
Towels definitely need more frequent washing than most of us probably expect. At a minimum, aim to launder bath towels weekly and hand towels every couple of days. Always ensure towels dry fully between uses.
While we can’t eradicate all microbes, good laundry and drying practices will keep towels fresh and avoid unhealthy bacterial and fungal growth. Investing in quality over quantity, not overloading washers and dryers, and replacing musty towels will maximize longevity.
With some simple hygiene habits, your towels can continue to feel soft, and fluffy and keep your skin healthy and clean after every shower!
