How Often Should You Wash Your Towel?

There is almost nothing better than getting out of a hot shower or bath and into a towel. To be in the embrace of a nice warm, fresh towel can feel like the height of luxury. 

And yet, when it comes to towel hygiene, many people are somewhat neglectful, and should be washing and refreshing their towels much more often than they do. So how often should you wash your towel?

Microbes, Bacteria, and Mold
A survey conducted by Shower to You in the UK found that nearly half of all the single men surveyed wash their towels only once in every four months, which is truly too long to go without washing one’s towel. 

Because of their thickness and tendencies to remain in damp areas, towels are breeding grounds for bacteria and mold, according to The Conversation. In addition, every time you dry yourself off with your towel you leave behind microbes. These microbes could trigger asthma, skin irritation, and skin allergies.

But, the BBC reported that most of the bacteria we leave behind when drying off is actually good bacteria, of the sort that naturally live on our skin. The problem is that these can also be opportunistic bacteria that can cause harm if they get into a cut or if someone is immunocompromised. 

Beyond bath towels, it is also important to wash kitchen towels often. These towels dry surfaces, dishes, and hands, and can easily pick up foodborne pathogens such as salmonella, e.coli, and norovirus, each of which can lead to nasty gastrointestinal distress. 

Hot Water and Sun
So how often and using what methods should you wash your towels? According to The Conversation, you should wash your towels every few days. And it is best to wash your towels in fairly hot water – from 40C (104F) to 60C (140F) –  and for a longer time than you would your clothing. It is also a good idea to add antimicrobial detergent to the wash. 

It is important, after washing your towel, not to leave it sitting in the washing machine. The warm and damp atmosphere allows microbes to grow. 

Though drying your towels in an electric dryer is a fine way to go, drying them in the sun is better. A study published in the African Journal of Applied Research, showed that sun-drying did the best at reducing the bacterial and fungal loads in towels. 

So the next time you shower or take a bath, just throw your towel into the wash instead of hanging it back in the bathroom. It will make you and all the members of your household healthier and more comfortable.

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