Sharing towels can spread germs and bacteria. Towels are a breeding ground for bacteria and other microorganisms that can cause infections and illnesses. When multiple people use the same towel, they are exposed to each other's germs and can increase the likelihood of spreading infections.
So if your towels stay damp and contain your skin cells, then these microbes can colonize, according to Dr. Meschke. If you share your bath towel with a partner, then your towel will contain even more moisture and skin particles, meaning you'll potentially have more bacteria, virus, and fungi growth.
The survey of 250 British adults, conducted by the bathroom product company Drench, finds that 56% of couples share their towels, potentially putting themselves at risk for contracting a bacterial infection. The study also shows that 26% of couples start sharing towels within the first month of getting together.
For example, only wash kitchen towels with kitchen towels, cleaning towels with cleaning towels, and bath towels with bath towels. Separate light colors from dark to prevent color transfer. “Wash white or very light fabrics in hot water, and mid-tone, bright and dark colors in warm water,” suggests Booth.
The Ideal Number of Towels per Person
Our rule of three for stocking up on sheets also applies to towels. Keep three sets of towels for each individual who lives in your household—one in the wash, one in the closet, and one in use. This ensures there is always a towel in reserve for when you might need it.
It may surprise you to learn that bath towels should be washed after every 3-4 uses to keep them hygienic, according to our experts at the GHI. And for towels used at the gym, we recommend washing after every use; not only are your gym towels covered in sweat, but they can also come into contact with airborne bacteria.
Wash Towels Separately
Washing towels with clothes can transfer germs and bacteria between items in the wash. For sanitary reasons, you should always wash bath towels separately from clothing items. Putting towels in their own load also makes it easier to adjust the setting based on color.
Can I reuse a towel after one use? It's OK to reuse a towel a few times before you wash and dry -- and it's better for the environment, too. Reusing towels a few times is better for the environment and likely won't be a cause for alarm.
Avoid splotchy colors or dingy whites by washing similarly colored towels together. Too many towels washed at once won't get clean, but too few means greater agitation for quicker wear and tear. Most front-loading washing machines can fit seven standard-size bath towels; top-loading washers can fit around nine or ten.
Don't just leave your wet towels lying around after use or hang them on a hook somewhere, or throw them into the washing machine. The host may have a rule of his own to wash the towels according to the type. Either throw your towel in the laundry basket or ask the host. Be careful not to use your imagination here.
How many towels do you need in your linen closet? A traditional linen closet for two people will have six bath towels, four hand towels and four washcloths, Dillinger says. This provides a sufficient number to have in a rotation – so you're not buying replacement towels too often – and keeps some handy for guests.
The Rules of Thumb to Follow
"We suggest four bath towels (two in use, two in the wash) supplemented with two hand towels, and two washcloths—perfect for one adult," says Liz Eichholz, creative director and co-founder of towel brand Weezie. "Live with someone? We recommend doubling up!
"From our testing," he says, "you should change your face and bathroom towels every three days at least." In a towel study Gerba did a few years back, he and his team found fecal bacteria on 80% of towels that hadn't been washed for three days or longer—yuck.
“We recommend washing bath towels after every three uses, or at least once a week, to ensure truly clean towels,” said Kate Elks, Brooklinen director. “Brooklinen's bath offerings, including bath towels and sheets, hand towels, and washcloths, only differ in size, so you can care for them all the same way.”
Is the towel you are using to wipe your hands after washing them or to dry your body after bathing clean enough? Towels are often damp, warm and absorbent and so they become a perfect environment for bacteria to grow.
Although you're right that some bacteria may live on your towel, it's probably not enough to cause health problems. Experts generally recommend washing bath towels once a week (or after three to five uses).
“Two separate towels should be used for the face and the rest of the body. Facial skin is more prone to certain conditions, like acne, caused [by] bacteria (propionibacterium acne). In the interest of hygiene, a different towel is advisable,” said Dr. Jyotisterna Mittal, a dermatologist and venereologist with iCliniq.
Once a Week: Ideal. Once Every Two Weeks: Totally Acceptable.
Gonzalez recommends washing your bath towel after every three to four uses, or at minimum once a week. The American Cleaning Institute meets in the middle of Dr. Gonzalez and Tierno to recommend washing bath towels after three uses. Here's what may determine if you should wash your towels more often.
Ultimately, though, when a towel's threads begin to pull—or you notice a lingering odor, despite a careful wash—it's time to toss it; you can expect body and hand towels to last between two to five years depending on their quality. Wash cloths, on the other hand, should be replaced every one or two years, notes Winch.
Dowling suggests washing towels separately from other laundry to avoid “items that could pull or snag the fabric, such as clothing with zippers, hooks or Velcro,” she said. If you've pretreated your towels for stains, check them before putting them in the dryer to see if they're clean.
Separating linens into separate loads based on their material type (sheets vs towels) will not only give your linen a better clean, it will also help prevent unnecessary wear-and-tear on your linens and your washer – all while extending the life of your linens significantly! Don't Wash Sheets and Towels Together!
Wash new towels before using them for the first time.
As soon as you bring new towels home, toss them into the wash to remove any chemicals manufacturers may have used to make them look fluffy and feel soft in the store. This can also help reduce lint.