Towels usually only come into contact with freshly scrubbed skin and clean water. So do they still need to be washed regularly?
In short, yes! But the right time to wash your towels depends on a few factors.
Here’s how often to wash towels, plus some tips for making your favorite towels last as long as possible.
WaveMAX Laundry Advice: How Often Should You Wash Your Towels?
Yes, your bath towels can get dirty
On a surface level, it’s understandable why you might think towels don’t get soiled as quickly as clothing. After all, they’re only used on washed skin, right?
In reality, no matter how squeaky clean you feel after a bath or shower, germs, dead skin cells, and sweat still transfer to your towels. And if it doesn’t dry completely between washes, it can quickly become a breeding ground for bacteria—and even mold and mildew!
How often to clean towels
Now that you know the truth about bath towel cleanliness, let’s talk timing.
An easy rule of thumb is to swap out your towel for a clean one every three washes. If you shower daily, that’s a fresh towel every three days!
If you have skin sensitivities, you should also consider using a fresh towel whenever you bathe.
Pro-Tip: Let your towel air-dry completely before tossing it in your hamper. A damp laundry bin can quickly attract unwanted smells, bacteria, and mold.
How to clean towels the right way
Are you washing your towels the same way you wash clothing? If so, you may be shortening your towels’ lifespan!
For example, cleaning towels with fabric softener can damage their softness and reduce their absorbency. Instead, use half a cup of white vinegar in the washing machine or dryer to boost their texture and scent!
Gym towels also need special laundry treatment. On a load of just towels, add a few scoops of baking soda to your usual detergent to kill their extra bacteria. But don’t add baking soda and vinegar at the same time—here’s why.
Towels can sometimes need special stain treatment, too. If yours have makeup stains or similar marks, a soak in Oxiclean should do the trick.
Need advice for dealing with mildew-stained towels?
Finally, you shouldn’t combine towels and clothing in your dryer. Towels take longer to dry, so they can increase your electricity bill and damage other garments with an increased drying time.
Congratulations—you now know how often you should wash your towels!
If you don’t have time to juggle a proper laundry routine, WaveMAX is here to help with pick-up and drop-off dry cleaning and wash-and-fold services. Instead of searching ‘professional laundry near me,’ head straight to to www.denverwashandfold.com to learn more.
