When it comes to towels, couples should aim to have enough on hand for at least a week’s worth of showers, baths, and hand drying without having to do laundry. The exact number of towel sets needed depends on a few key factors.
How Often Do You Shower or Bathe?
The frequency with which you and your partner shower or bathe is a major determiner of how many towel sets you need. If you each shower daily, you will go through towels faster than a couple who showers every other day. Here is a general guideline based on showering frequency:
| Shower Frequency | Towel Sets Needed |
|---|---|
| Once daily for each person | 6-8 |
| Every other day for each person | 4-5 |
| 2-3 times per week for each person | 3-4 |
As you can see, daily showers means having at least 6-8 towel sets on hand for a week’s worth of use. The lower numbers are for couples who shower less often.
What Types of Towels Do You Use?
Towels come in different types and sizes, so the number of sets needed also depends on how many towels you use per shower or bath. Here are some common towel types:
- Bath towels – For drying off after a shower or bath. Standard size is around 27″ x 52″.
- Hand towels – For drying hands at the sink. Typical size is around 16″ x 26″.
- Washcloths – Small towels used for washing the body in the shower or bath. Standard size is around 13″ x 13″.
- Bath sheets – Large towels that wrap around the body. Size is around 35″ x 60″.
- Bath mats or bath rugs – For stepping onto when getting out of the tub or shower. Usually 24″ x 36″.
For a basic towel set, you would have one bath towel, one hand towel, and one washcloth. Some people may opt for a bath sheet instead of a bath towel for more coverage.
Here’s an estimate of towel sets needed based on types of towels used:
| Towel Set Contents | Sets Needed for 1 Week |
|---|---|
| Bath towel, hand towel, washcloth | 6-8 |
| Bath sheet, hand towel, washcloth | 5-7 |
| Bath towel, hand towel, washcloth, bath mat | 7-9 |
The more towels included per set, the more sets you’ll need on hand for a full week before needing to launder them.
Do You Share Towels?
Some couples are comfortable sharing towels, while others prefer to each have their own set. Here’s how sharing versus not sharing affects the number of towel sets needed:
- Not sharing: Each person needs their own dedicated towels. For a standard bath towel, hand towel, washcloth set, each person would need at least 6-8 sets.
- Sharing: Towels can be shared between a couple. This cuts the number of sets needed in half. 3-4 shared towel sets would be enough for a week.
Sharing towels when possible allows you to get by with fewer towel sets in your linen closet.
Do You Use Separate Towels at the Gym?
If you and your partner regularly work out at a gym, having dedicated gym towels helps reduce laundry and keeps your regular towels fresher. Estimate needing 2-3 gym towel sets per person based on gym frequency:
- Work out 2-3 times per week: 2 gym towel sets each
- Work out 4-5 times per week: 3 gym towel sets each
Include gym towel needs when calculating your overall towel set requirements.
What Climate Do You Live In?
Climate can also impact how many towels you need. In hot, humid environments, towels may need washing more often as they accumulate sweat and mildew faster. Cold climates may require more towels just for the comfort of having a warm, fresh one after a shower or bath. Here are some estimates based on climate:
| Climate | Recommended Towel Sets |
|---|---|
| Tropical or very humid | 8-10 |
| Temperate | 6-8 |
| Cold or dry | 7-9 |
Having extra towel sets allows for more frequent washing as needed in hot, humid environments. The higher numbers account for wanting dry warmth after showers or baths in cold climates.
Other Climate Factors
Aside from humidity and temperature, a few other climate factors can influence towel needs:
- Hard water: Hard water areas may require more frequent washing to prevent towel stiffness and mineral buildup. Add 1-2 more sets.
- Rainy seasons: Wet weather means more frequent towel usage. Have at least 8-10 sets to accommodate increased washing.
- Beach proximity: Living near the ocean or beach may call for extra beach towels and showering after swimming. Budget 2-3 beach towel sets per person.
Do You Entertain Guests Frequently?
If you have overnight guests on a regular basis, it’s considerate to provide them with fresh towels. Here’s an estimate of how many extra towel sets to have on hand for guests:
- Rarely or never have overnight guests: No extra sets needed
- Occasional guests (1-3 times per month): 2-3 extra sets
- Frequent guests (weekly): 5-6 extra sets
The number of guest bedroom and bathroom towels depends on your hospitality habits.
Do You Use Towels for Pets?
Some pet owners use towels to dry off their dogs after walks in the rain or washing. Having a stash of old towels separate from your regular sets can be useful for pets. Estimate 2-3 dedicated pet towels if applicable.
What’s Your Laundry Routine?
How often you do laundry also determines how many towel sets you need in your linen closet at any given time. Here are some estimates based on laundry frequency for a two-person household:
| Laundry Schedule | Recommended Towel Sets for 1 Week |
|---|---|
| Daily laundry | 4-5 |
| Every 2-3 days | 5-6 |
| Weekly | 8-10 |
| Every 2 weeks | 12-15 |
Doing laundry more often means you can get by with fewer towel sets. Less frequent washing means having more towels on hand between loads.
Maximizing Time Between Laundry
To maximize time between laundry loads, follow these tips:
- Use towels for at least 2-3 showers or baths before washing.
- Hang towels to dry completely between uses.
- Wash towels on a sanitizing cycle periodically.
- Don’t share towels when sick.
- Store towels in a clean, dry area between uses.
Proper towel hygiene and care can extend the time towels can be used before needing a wash.
What is Your Linen Storage Space?
Before stocking up on towel sets, look at how much storage space you have available. Some aspects to consider:
- Towel bar space in bathrooms
- Linen closet or cabinet capacity
- Shelf space or standing rack area in laundry room
Take measurements of your existing towel storage areas. Allow for some slack for folded washcloths and hand towels. Given typical towel dimensions, you can estimate your linen storage capacity in terms of sets. This gives you a functional limit for the maximum number of towel sets your space can accommodate.
What is Your Decor Style?
Although towels are primarily functional, they also impact the decorative style of your bathrooms. Some aspects to think about:
- Solid colors or patterns?
- Matching vs. mix and match?
- Folded vs. hanging display?
- Luxurious vs. every day?
- Traditional vs. contemporary?
You may want enough towel sets on hand to alternate between decorative styles with the seasons or holidays. Or to periodically replace old sets with new coordinating colors.
What is Your Budget for Towels?
The cost of towel sets can vary widely depending on quality. Here are some price ranges for a bath towel, hand towel, and washcloth set:
| Towel Set Quality | Average Price Range per Set |
|---|---|
| Discount or budget | $5 – $15 |
| Mid-range department store | $20 – $50 |
| Luxury specialty boutique | $80 – $120+ |
Multiply your ideal number of sets by the price range you can afford. That gives you a spending budget for towels. Factor in some extra for bath mats, sheets, and other linens. Quality towels can last for years with proper care, so they are worth investing in within your means.
Cost Saving Tips
If your target number of towel sets is outside your budget, try these tips to save:
- Buy on sale or use coupons/promos
- Opt for a lower thread count
- Purchase bath and hand towels only; skip washcloths
- Buy bath sheets instead of bath towels
- Choose a lighter weight fabric
- Shop discount retailers like TJ Maxx or Ross
- Use bath mats and hand towels sparingly
Prioritizing where to invest and cutting back in other areas can help make quality towels affordable.
Conclusion
When tallying up all the factors, here are some final guidelines for couples to determine how many towel sets they need:
- Daily showers = 6-8 sets per person
- Maximize sharing to reduce sets
- Include gym and beach needs
- Factor in climate and guest needs
- Assess storage space limitations
- Budget for quality within affordability
Shoot for the ideal number, but buy in stages if needed. Quality over quantity allows towels to last. With the right care, fewer high-quality towel sets can serve a couple well for years.
