How Often Should You Wash Your Towels?
Most of us usually use the sniff test to decide how often to wash towels. That’s reasonable, no one wants to dry themselves down with a funky smelling towel.
But it’s probably not the best judge of when you should throw it in the washing basket.
Because while all of us use bath towels in more or less the same way, our routines are very different from one another. Things like bathing schedules, our own body composition, and even the temperature of the room can play a role in how often you should be washing your bath towel.
Frequency And Use
You should ideally wash your bath towels once a week. While you might be thinking that towels don’t need to be cleaned since they only dry us AFTER a bath, that’s not accounting for a number of things that bath towels go through. Namely, frequency and use.
If your towel is wet then it’s a breeding ground of bacteria. If you’re using your towel often then it’s going to attract and consolidate more bacteria.
In short, the more you use your bath towel, the more you should wash it.
Throwing In The Old Towel: Replacement And Variety
Of course, the best way to solve any problem is to avoid it, and if you happen to be putting some thought into picking out a towel for the first time, here are some guidelines you can follow:
- Make sure that everyone has their own towel (especially kids)
- Check the material that the towel is made of (or the shape, if you’re fancy)
- Make sure you have both a towel and a washcloth (for the kitchen and bathroom)
- Read for any warnings about the towel (for example, if it can shrink in the wash)
Ideally, you should be replacing towels once they lose their fluffiness—which according to experts, generally takes up to two years. However, that can change depending on the towel’s use: for example, gym towels generally wear out faster than bath towels.
If you do decide to replace your towel, you should be washing new towels before you use them for the first time, especially ones that are going to be used by kids.
How Can I Maintain Good Towel Hygiene?
If you’re worried, the best thing that you can do is practice good towel hygiene. Not only does this help you avoid all the nasty germs and bacteria, but also extends the life of your towel.
The most important ‘bath towel hygiene tip’ is to make sure that it dries off completely after use. Damp towels not only make attract tons of bacteria, but they also smell nasty and degrade your towel.
The next best thing you can do is to provide towels for different people and things around the house. Ideally, the washcloth for your kitchen sink should be separate from the one that you use to wash your hands. If you happen to be living with someone, there’s nothing wrong with sharing a towel—but keep in mind that you can transmit colds, flu, and skin conditions.
So remember: if you use a lot, you should wash a lot. Don’t wait for the stink to signal that it’s time to throw in the towel! Regular washes will keep your towel (and your skin) very happy.