Cleaning ourselves comes as a no-brainer for most. It is deeply ingrained in us that in order to eliminate germs, it’s best to bathe or take a shower often. But that habitual mindset doesn’t always translate when determining when we should wash our bath towels.
There are ongoing debates about when’s the best time to change your toothbrush and how often you should clean your bathroom, but no one really stresses the proper etiquette for clean bath towels. If you’re intrigued like me, go down this rabbit hole to get to the bottom of this hunch. Trust me, if you believe you’re washing your towels enough, reports would beg to differ.
Why is proper towel maintenance important?
When you dry off with towels, they get moist. This porous, damp environment is the perfect breeding ground for bacteria. A common bath towel can have yeast, mold and E. coli growing on it without you ever knowing it. Gross, right? Regular washing prevents bacteria from growing.
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LG’s WashTower will function as one combined washer and dryer unit.
When should you reuse or wash?
There are some variables regarding how often you should wash your towels. Consumer Reports says that under normal circumstances, a towel can be used three or four times before it needs to be tossed in the hamper. Now notice, I said “times” not “days.” So if you have multiple family members using a towel (like hand towels), it needs to be washed on the third or fourth use.
Also, the condition of the person using the towel matters too. If they’re sick, toss it in the laundry after one use. If it’s flu season, it’s best that every family member have their own towel — even if they aren’t exhibiting symptoms — to prevent the potential spread of germs.
How often you wash towels also depends on how they’re dried after usage. If towels find themselves on the floor, the lack of air circulation will cause bacteria to grow quickly. To prolong the life of your towel, be sure to place damp towels on a towel rack. Better yet, crack open a window or turn on the fan to reduce moisture in the room.
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What temperature is best for washing?
The Infection Control department of Mid-Western Regional Hospital of Ennis, Ireland, recommends washing towels in water that is at least 140 degrees Fahrenheit (60 degrees Celsius) or more to kill bacteria. So if you have a sanitize mode on your washing machine, use it. If not, you may consider raising the temperature on your water heater while washing that load. Be sure young children are supervised around sinks, tubs and showers while you do laundry, though, to prevent burns.
And, before you reach for the fabric softener, don’t. Fabric softener leaves residue on towels that makes them less absorbent.