- How often you wash towels varies by the type of towel.
- Pool and beach towels should be washed after every use. Hand and kitchen towels should be washed every other day or so.
- Bath towels can be washed every three to five uses as long as they dry out completely between uses.
From hand towels in the kitchen and bathroom to bath towels and more, we come into contact with towels regularly throughout the day. As such, it’s commonly understood that towels can accumulate dirt and bacteria, requiring them to be washed regularly.
However, should you be washing your towels after every use? How often is often enough? Does the answer depend on the type of towel? We spoke to a laundry and cleaning expert to address these common questions.
Meet the Expert
Elizabeth Shields is the Operations Manager of Super Cleaning Service Louisville.
How Often Should You Wash Towels?
How often you should wash your towels depends on their type and use. In general, it is unnecessary to wash household towels after each use, regardless of the kind.
However, according to Elizabeth Shields, operation manager of Superior Cleaning Service Louisville, this does not apply to beach or pool towels.
“Beach towels should be washed after every use because of the sand, sunscreen, sweat, chlorine, and saltwater," Shields says. "Even if it doesn’t look dirty, it’s been through a lot."
When it comes to frequency, the next most important type of towel to wash regularly is dish towels. Since they can come into contact with food and dirty counter surfaces, dish towels should be swapped out and cleaned daily or every other day, says Shields.
On the other hand, bath towels should be washed after three to five uses, as long as they are hung to dry to prevent bacteria and mildew from developing. Hand towels in bathrooms should be washed every two to three days since multiple people typically use them, and they may not dry as quickly between uses.
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Signs It’s Time to Wash Your Towels
Besides visible dirt or grime, Shields says there are a few other signs that your towels are destined for the laundry hamper.
“A musty scent is a dead giveaway that a towel needs a good wash," she says. "Also, if it takes forever to dry or feels damp even hours later, something’s off."
It likely means that bacteria or mildew is beginning to grow, indicating it’s time for a cleaning. Regardless, if it’s been a few days of use, it’s probably a good idea to swap out your towel for a fresh one—whether there are obvious signs or not.
How to Wash Towels Properly
Is there a correct way to wash towels? Shields says yes.
First and foremost, separate your towels into different loads depending on their use. According to the pros, kitchen and bathroom towelsshould be washed separately to prevent cross-contamination of bacteria.
Separating your towels into light and dark loads is also a good idea to keep your colors vibrant and your whites bright. This is particularly important if it's your first time washing new, colorful towels, as they are most likely to bleed during the first wash.
Regardless of the type, warm or hot water is best, although Shields advises using hot water for dish towels to really tackle the grease, germs, and food stains. Use a mild detergent that’s strong enough to clean but gentle enough to keep the towels soft and fluffy.
Depending on how dirty your dish towels are, you may want to use a stronger degreasing variant in those loads. Shields says a scoop of baking soda can work wonders to neutralize odors if needed.
There’s one thing that Shields says she always avoids when washing her towels: fabric softeners. These chemical additives can build up residue in the fibers over time.
Instead, she recommends adding half a cup of white vinegar to the load during the rinse cycle. The vinegar will help soften and freshen up your towels without the residue.
Lastly, set your dryer to medium or high heat for a soft and fluffy finish.
“But, and this is important, don't let them over-dry," Shields says. "Nothing worse than towels that feel stiff! Once the dryer stops, take them out right away and shake to smooth out wrinkles."
