You don't have to change your towel after every shower, but it's best practice to wash it every 3-4 uses to prevent bacteria, mold, and odors, especially in humid bathrooms. To maximize use, hang towels to dry completely after each shower; if they're damp or you're sick, wash them sooner, and consider a fresh towel daily if you have skin issues.
The best practice is to wash towels after every use, says Kelly Reynolds, PhD, a professor at the University of Arizona Zuckerman College of Public Health in Tucson, but you can stretch them to two to three uses — max — as long as you fully dry them out in between.
According to the Cleaning Institute, experts suggest washing towels after every three to five uses. That means if you shower daily, your towel should hit the laundry every three to four days. This frequency helps prevent bacterial buildup and keeps things feeling and smelling fresh.
You should replace your towel every time. A wet towel is the perfect environment to grow microbes, even if it airdried. Why take a shower and get clean to just wipe off with a dirty towel afterwards?
Most households: replace every 18--24 months if towels are washed regularly and show no damage. If towels are used heavily (daily, by multiple people, damp storage): replace closer to 12 months. Replace immediately if any of the following appear: Persistent, musty odor that doesn't disappear after washing.
"A variety of microorganisms, including bacteria, fungi and viruses, can all grow on the fabric of towels," says Dr. Jennifer Maender, a dermatologist at Houston Methodist. "Respiratory viruses and fungi can survive for several days on fabric, while bacteria can survive two to three weeks."
Studies have shown that towels can quickly become contaminated with bacteria commonly found on human skin, but also with those found in our guts. Even after washing, our bodies are still covered in microbes and perhaps unsurprisingly when we dry ourselves off, some of these transfer onto our towel.
Housekeeping teams typically wash towels after every guest's stay, using commercial-grade washing machines, hot water, and powerful detergents. Larger hotels and chains often contract professional laundry services or have on-site facilities with high hygiene standards.
“So what you want to do is change your towels at least three times each week because even on day three, your towel contains so much bacteria that you're better off washing or changing it. This can help with acne and many other skin problems,” the doctor advises.
Key Takeaways. Bath towels are good for 3–4 uses if they fully dry between, but wash sooner if they get musty. Hand towels should be swapped every 1–2 days, especially in shared bathrooms. A funky smell means it's time for a hot wash with white vinegar to freshen things up.
The quick-drying feature of towels is not just about convenience; it's also crucial for maintaining hygiene. Towels that dry faster are less likely to develop mildew and odors. Microfiber towels excel in this area, with synthetic fibers that allow them to dry significantly faster than cotton.
A good temperature for washing towels and sheets is 40 degrees, but a 60 degreewash will be better at killing germs. Changing your sheets and towels once a week can help to keep them fresh and clean**. Use ourlaundry tips section for guidelines on different fabrics.
Although many people pull their towels out of the package and pop them right into their linen closets, others prefer to launder them before the first use. In general, we encourage you to give them a quick wash and dry cycle. Below, we explain why you should wash new towels and how to do it the best way possible.
Additionally, according to a 2024 survey of 1,376 hotel managers by Wellness Heaven, which asked them which items are most commonly stolen, towels top the list, with 79.2 percent reporting guests nipping the cozy threads. They were followed by bathrobes, hangers, pens, and cosmetics, rounding out the top five.
Signs That You Aren't Cleaning Your Clothes Enough
Coliform bacteria were detected in 89.0% and E. coli in 25.6% of towels. The presence of E. coli was related to the frequency of washing.
A towel helps darken the room for better sleep. 2️⃣ To Prevent Odors or Smoke Whether it's someone smoking nearby or strong cleaning chemicals, a towel helps block unpleasant smells from creeping in. 3️⃣ To Protect Against Smoke in Emergencies In case of fire, smoke can quickly enter through door gaps.
The Tea Towel Trick
To prevent water from dripping back onto food in a slow cooker, some people place a clean, folded kitchen towel or a few layers of paper towels between the lid and the pot to absorb moisture. If you use the technique, make sure you still have a tight seal between the lid and the pot.
A mirror seems to "see" you behind a towel because light reflects off objects in all directions, and the reflected light from the person behind the towel reaches the mirror at angles that allow you to see them when you look at the mirror from the correct position.