Quick Answer
Most experts recommend changing towels every 3-5 uses or once a week. However, how often you need to wash towels depends on several factors like climate, number of users, and personal preference. More frequent washing is recommended in hot, humid climates where towels stay damp longer. Households with multiple users will need to wash towels more often too. Ultimately you should wash towels when they start to smell, feel stiff or look dirty.
How Many Times Can You Use A Towel Before Washing?
The general recommendation is to wash bath towels after 3-5 uses. So if you shower daily, you would wash towels about once a week. However, there are a few factors to consider:
Climate
If you live in a hot, humid environment, towels will stay damp longer and breed bacteria faster. In this case, wash towels after just 2-3 uses. In dry climates, towels dry out faster between uses so can go 4-5 uses between washes.
Number of Users
The more people using a towel, the more dirt and dead skin cells transfer to the towel. For households with multiple users, aim to wash towels at least twice a week. For single occupants, once a week washing may suffice.
Activities
If using towels after activities like swimming or exercise when you sweat more, wash them after 1-2 uses. The increased moisture promotes bacterial growth.
Odor & Appearance
Regardless of how many times a towel has been used, wash it if you notice any musty or foul odors. Also wash if towels become stiff, rough or visibly dirty.
How to Tell When Towels Need Washing
Here are some signs that indicate it’s time to wash bath towels:
– Towels smell musty, mildewy or unpleasant
– Towels feel stiff, scratchy or rough
– Visible dirt, stains, makeup or residue on towels
– Towels stay damp for a long time after use
– You’ve used a towel 3+ times since the last wash
Trust your nose and eyes. If towels look or smell dirty, don’t wait until the maximum recommended uses before washing. Bacteria thrive on damp, dirty towels.
Does Towel Material Impact How Often to Wash?
Yes, the type of material towels are made from can impact drying time and bacterial growth. Here’s how common towel materials compare:
Cotton
100% cotton towels are very absorbent but take longer to dry fully. Wash every 3-5 uses.
Microfiber
Made from synthetic fibers, microfiber towels dry very quickly. They can go 4-6 uses between washes.
Bamboo
Like cotton, bamboo towels are absorbent but slower to dry. Wash every 3-4 uses.
Linen
Linen is very lightweight and dries fast. These towels can go 4-5 uses between washes.
The more absorbent and slower to dry a material is, the more often it should be washed. Synthetic fibers or lightweight fabrics that dry quickly can go a few more uses between washes.
How to Wash Towels
Use these tips for washing towels properly:
– Wash towels separately or with other household linens. Avoid mixing with dirty clothing.
– Use hot water and a sanitizing laundry detergent or bleach.
– Add white vinegar or tea tree oil to kill bacteria and remove odors.
– For heavily soiled towels, pretreat stains and odors with an enzyme cleaner.
– Shake out towels before putting in machine to dislodge dirt and hair.
– Use highest spin setting on washer to remove excess water.
– For fabric softening, add 1⁄2 cup baking soda or white vinegar during rinse cycle.
– For disinfection, periodically wash towels on a sanitize or hot water cycle.
– Avoid overloading washer to allow proper agitation and cleaning.
– Always dry towels completely on high heat setting. Leftover moisture allows mold and bacteria to grow.
Washing regularly in hot water with sanitizing detergents helps kill germs and bacteria that build up on dirty towels. Proper drying is also key to limiting microbial growth.
How to Dry Towels Between Uses
To minimize bacteria growth between washes, be sure to dry towels thoroughly after each use.
– After use, hang towels over a towel rod or on a hook. Draping over a rack or shower door prevents drying.
– Space out towels when hanging to allow air circulation.
– Use a fan or open windows to keep humid air moving.
– In humid climates, consider using a dehumidifier to facilitate drying.
– Avoid leaving damp towels piled up in hampers or on the floor.
– Replace towels with clean ones if still damp after a day of hanging.
Proper air circulation is key to towels drying completely before next use. Rotate towels as needed to allow each one to dry fully before being used again.
Tips for Extending Time Between Washes
If you find you need to wash towels frequently, try these tips to allow more use before washing:
– Hang towels to dry between uses instead of leaving in a hamper.
– Use a dedicated towel for each household member so towels get less frequent use.
– For household guests, provide fresh hand and bath towels.
– Rinse out swim towels and hang to dry after each use to rinse out chlorine.
– Install towel warmers in bathrooms to facilitate drying after use.
– Use a lightweight, quick-drying towel material like linen or microfiber.
– Wash towels on a hot sanitizing cycle and dry completely on high heat.
– Replace visibly worn or tattered towels that hold onto bacteria.
– Wash hands before and after using towels to transfer less dirt and oil.
With some easy habits like dedicated personal towels and thorough drying, you can safely extend the number of uses before needing to wash towels.
How Many Towels Should You Own?
For a continuously fresh towel supply, here are some guidelines for how many towels to own:
– **Bath towels:** At least 2-3 per household member
– **Hand towels:** 2-3 per bathroom sink
– **Washcloths:** 3-5 per household member
– **Kitchen towels:** 5-10 towels for drying dishes, hands, etc.
– **Bath mats:** 1 per shower or bathtub
So for a family of four, aim for at least:
– 8-12 bath towels
– 4-6 hand towels
– 12-20 washcloths
– 15-30 kitchen towels
– 2-4 bath mats
Having ample towels allows you to wash them less frequently but still provide fresh towels when needed. The numbers can be adjusted based on how often you want to do laundry.
Common Towel Washing Mistakes
It’s important to wash and dry towels properly to prevent bacteria issues. Here are some common mistakes:
– Not washing towels frequently enough – towels need washing at least weekly.
– Washing towels in cold water – use hot water to sanitize.
– Overloading the washer – towels need room to move and rinse clean.
– Not using bleach or a sanitizing detergent – towels require disinfecting.
– Skipping the rinse cycle – detergent residue can cause skin irritation.
– Line drying towels – they won’t fully dry allowing mold and bacteria to grow.
– Putting damp towels away – towels must dry completely after each use.
– Adding fabric softener – it leaves a coating that reduces absorbency.
– Letting towels pile up wet – they need airflow to dry quickly.
Be vigilant about washing and drying techniques to keep your towels fresh and safe to use. Don’t allow towels to stay damp between uses.
FAQs
Why do damp towels smell?
Damp towels provide the ideal breeding ground for mildew and bacteria that cause stinky odors. Towels should fully dry between uses. Leaving towels wadded up wet promotes microbial growth.
Should towels be washed in hot or cold water?
It’s best to wash towels in hot water to sanitize them and kill odor-causing germs and bacteria. Warm or cold water won’t effectively disinfect towels. Use the hottest water setting safe for the fabric.
How do you make towels fluffy again?
To restore fluffiness to towels, wash them in hot water using vinegar, baking soda or borax. Don’t use fabric softener as it leaves a coating that reduces absorbency. Dry towels completely on the highest heat setting.
When should you replace bath towels?
It’s time to replace bath towels when they become thin, torn, stained or rough. Worn, tattered towels don’t dry effectively and harbor more bacteria. Aim to replace towels every 2-3 years.
Can mold grow on towels?
Yes, mold and mildew can grow on damp towels. To prevent mold, always dry towels thoroughly between uses and wash frequently. Bleach kills mold and mildew during washing. Replace any towels with visible mold.
The Bottom Line
Aim to wash bath towels after 3-5 uses or once a week, whichever comes first. Wash them more often in hot, humid climates or homes with multiple users. For hand towels used just for drying hands, every 2-3 days is sufficient. Regardless of how many times used, wash any towel that smells bad, feels rough or looks dirty. With proper washing and drying methods, you can safely use towels for a few uses before needing to wash them. But don’t prolong washing to unsafe limits.
| Towel Type | Recommended Washing Frequency |
|---|---|
| Bath towels | Every 3-5 uses or once a week |
| Hand towels | Every 2-3 days |
| Washcloths | After each use |
| Kitchen towels | 2-3 days |
| Bath mats | Weekly |