Experts reveal how often you should wash your towels
Most of us would agree that there’s something very comforting about wrapping yourself in a big, warm, fluffy bath towel after a bath or shower. It’s less comforting, though, to think about the germs and bacteria that may be breeding on your towels.
You might think your towel is fine because you only use it on your clean body, but think again. Even your freshly-washed skin can harbour germs and bacteria that will transfer to your towel when you dry your skin. Additionally, bathrooms are warm, humid spaces that make them the perfect breeding ground for bacteria — meaning there could also be airborne bacteria and moulds landing on your towel.
Drying your freshly washed skin with a towel on which there are potentially several types of bacteria could lead to a variety of infections. The way to avoid this is to make sure you wash towels frequently and thoroughly. Here’s what you need to know…
How often should you wash your towels?
Don’t panic, there’s no need to wash your bath towels after every use. Washing after every 3-4 uses is enough to keep them hygienic, according to our experts at the GHI. But, 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 lots of airborne bacteria.
Hand towels should be washed at least once a week. But households, with pets, children, and frequent visitors may need to wash hand towels as often as every 2-3 days. And if you use a flannel to wash your face, this should be washed after every use.
What's the best way to wash towels?
Check the care label on your towels and wash at the hottest allowable temperature –preferably 60°C as this will ensure you kill any germs that may be lurking on the towel.
Use a biological powder for washing towels. Biological powder contains enzymes that will help to break down protein and fat-based stains. The optical brighteners and bleaching agents will help to keep white and pale towels bright. For coloured towels, use a biological detergent specially designed for colours to help stop them from fading.
Fabric conditioner reduces the absorbency of towels so we advise against it, but if you prefer to use it, then do so sparingly.
Tumble-drying is the best way to keep your towels fluffy and soft – just be sure to give them a good shake before you put them in the dryer. However, if you’re trying to reduce your bills, dry on an airer or outside. Avoid putting your towels on the radiator, as this will over dry them and make them hard.
How should you store your towels?
Keep freshly laundered towels folded in a warm, dry place, like an airing cupboard or linen cupboard. It might be tempting to have a pile of towels on a shelf in your bathroom, but in this warm, damp environment the towels could come into contact with airborne germs, potentially becoming a breeding ground for bacteria and mould before you’ve even used them.
When storing towels between uses, getting the towel dry as quickly as possible is the most important consideration. Hanging your bath towel on a hook on the back of the bathroom door won’t allow enough air to circulate around the towel, so it’ll take much longer to dry. Instead, drape towels over a towel rail or dry on an airer or washing line. Even hanging over the bannister is a better option than crumpled on a hook in an already damp bathroom.
Can you use one towel for everything?
This really comes down to personal preference. There are no hard and fast rules, but most people tend to have a separate hand towel in the bathroom for drying freshly washed hands. It also means any guests visiting your toilet don’t have to dry their hands on your bath towel.
Other than a separate hand towel, you may have a towel specifically to wrap around your hair after you’ve washed it. And while some experts suggest using a separate towel for your face, in reality very few of us do this and as long as you wash your towels frequently, it’s really only necessary if your face is prone to breakouts or acne.
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