Neither every week, nor every 15 days! Here is the right frequency to wash your bath towels to prevent them from becoming a real breeding ground for bacteria.
How often do you wash your towels? When you think about it? Once a month, every two weeks, every week? This household task may seem trivial, but the frequency of washing towels is important, it’s a question of hygiene.
Many people think that it is enough to wash their bath towels every two weeks or even once a month. This idea seems practical, but according to hygiene experts, it can pose health problems. The frequency of washing towels is often underestimated, although they are in direct contact with our skin every day.
After each use, towels absorb not only water, but also dead skin cells, body oils, and potentially skincare product residue. This creates a perfect environment for bacteria, fungi and other microorganisms to thrive. They love warm, humid environments, like a towel drying slowly in a poorly ventilated bathroom. If towels are not washed regularly, they can become a breeding ground for bacteria.
According to Philip Tierno, a microbiologist and professor at New York University, a towel can start harboring bacteria after just two or three uses. If not washed regularly, it can even become a vector for skin diseases, such as staph infections or skin irritations.
So, how often should you actually wash your towels? Experts recommend washing towels after no more than three to four uses. This corresponds to approximately two to three days of use if you take one or two showers daily.
Additionally, if you have skin problems, such as acne, or suffer from allergies, it is even more important to adopt this washing frequency to avoid aggravating these conditions. Likewise, sports towels or those used to dry hands, which may be subject to more intensive use, should be washed even more frequently.
What are the best practices for maintaining your towels? First of all, it is essential to allow towels to dry completely between uses. Hang them in a well-ventilated area, preferably outside the bathroom if it is humid. The faster they dry, the less likely they will become a breeding ground for bacterial growth.
Next, it is recommended to wash the towels at high temperatures, ideally 60°C, to effectively eliminate germs. Finally, it is important not to neglect the condition of the towels themselves. Used towels with damaged fibers are less effective at absorbing water and can be more difficult to clean. It is therefore advisable to replace them approximately every two years, depending on their use and their condition.