While sharing towels can be convenient and as Glennon points out the towels often do not have someone's name on them, it is ultimately not a good idea to dry off with another person's towel. Sharing towels can spread germs and bacteria, lead to skin problems, and be a violation of personal boundaries.
Some infections can be even more serious, such as Staphylococcus bacteria. While it normally lives on our skin, if bacteria enters through a wound, the infection that results is resistant to antibiotics. Towels can also spread bacteria that cause acne. Mohammed advises avoiding this by not sharing towels with others.
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.
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.
It is something that most couples wouldn't think twice about doing but research suggests that sharing a towel with your partner could spread harmful bacteria.
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.
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.
Bacteria spread through shared towels can enter the body through pores, cuts, sores, and wounds. These are some of the most common illnesses that arise from towels: The bacteria that causes staph infections grow quickly in damp conditions that towels cultivate.
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.
The grand total of towels needed for a family of four is eight bath towels, twelve hand towels, and 28 washcloths. For guest towels , add four bath and four hand towels per person, plus 14 washcloths (if you're hosting for a week).
In summary, the number of towels you need depends on several factors, including the size of your household, your laundry routine, and your personal preferences. However, as a general guideline, you should have at least one bath towel per person, two hand towels per bathroom, and two washcloths per person.
Now, the answer to how many towels you should buy as a housewarming gift depends on how many people are living in the house. If your friend has bought their first home on their own, then a set of two should be fine. For couples and families, consider a set of four, or one for every family member.
“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.
To prevent contaminating clean dishes with germs and bacteria from your hands, keep two dishtowels accessible: One for drying hands and one for drying dishes. Choose two different colors, or hang them in two different locations to help your family identify which towel is for which purpose.
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).
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.
As a general rule, launder your bath towel (or swap in a clean one) at least once a week and your washcloth a couple times a week. Wash towels more frequently if you're sick to avoid reinfection.
So just how many times should we be reusing a towel if we want to stay as hygienic as possible? According to Heidi Phillips, cleaning and decluttering expert at The Organised Home and Mind, 'A towel is essentially used to dry a clean body – so you should be able to use it at least 3-4 times. '
While it might seem counterintuitive to keep your bath towels somewhere that isn't your bathroom, it's much more sanitary to store them in a dry and well-ventilated room. Steven Ip suggests using an extra drawer in the bedroom for storage purposes (per Homes & Gardens).
You should have one set of towels per guest. Guest towels can be stacked near the sink for your guests to have easy access to the towels, and you can put the other towels on the bed. A small basket would also be a good addition to the guest bathroom, both aesthetically and practically.
There is a good reason for giving towels as a gift. Towels are made by weaving threads together, which makes them a good omen for lasting relationships. With that in mind, towels are also considered a nice wedding gift, as they are reminiscent of the “Red Thread of Fate” that connects two destined lovers.
Luxury bath towels can run close to $100—but you don't have to spend that much. You can find quality bath towel options that tick all our boxes for $40 or less. The key is knowing the difference between a low-cost, low-quality option and an affordable, high-quality one, which you now know thanks to our handy tips.
the rule of twos applies to towels as well: two bath towels, two hand towels and two washcloths per family member. (have some extras for guests, but not too many.)”
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.