Is the towel you are using to wipe your hands after washing them or to dry your body after bathing clean enough? Towels are often damp, warm and absorbent and so they become a perfect environment for bacteria to grow.
coli, Salmonella and Staphylococcus aureus can survive and persist for up to 16 days on a kitchen sponge and up to 13 days on microfiber towels.
Even when your towels still feel (and smell!) clean, they very well may still be dirty. And, whether they're the small variety for your hands or full-size shower towels, the cloth can become packed with disease-spreading microbes (which are also found in your bedsheets) within a mere few days.
People should wash any bathroom towels after about two days of use, Gerba says, particularly if you have young children in the house. And not just any rinse will do. Bacteria can survive regular detergent, according to Gerba, so use hot water and a product with activated oxygen bleach to thoroughly clean towels.
Choose the Washing Machine Settings
A temperature of at least 155 degrees Fahrenheit kills most common germs. This is acceptable for cotton towels but too hot for linen towels. Choose the hot temperature setting for cotton towels and the warm setting (less than 140 degrees F) for linen towels.
Sanitizing towels and bed sheets
To wash bleach-safe bed sheets and towels, machine wash in the hottest water recommended using a good detergent and ⅔ cup Clorox® Disinfecting Bleach in a traditional deep-fill washer, or ⅓ cup Clorox® Disinfecting Bleach in a high efficiency clothes washer.
Sharing towels can spread germs and bacteria. Towels are a breeding ground for bacteria and other microorganisms that can cause infections and illnesses. When multiple people use the same towel, they are exposed to each other's germs and can increase the likelihood of spreading infections.
It may surprise you to learn that bath towels should be washed after every 3-4 uses to keep them hygienic, according to our experts at the GHI. And for towels used at the gym, we recommend washing after every use; not only are your gym towels covered in sweat, but they can also come into contact with airborne bacteria.
Washing towels with clothes can transfer germs and bacteria between items in the wash. For sanitary reasons, you should always wash bath towels separately from clothing items. Putting towels in their own load also makes it easier to adjust the setting based on color.
According to Philip Tierno, a professor of microbiology and pathology at the New York University School of Medicine, detergent itself is not enough to kill dirt and germs. You need to use a water temperature that's between 140 and 150 degrees to kill bacteria.
Depending on the type of fabric, bacteria can survive from several days to over six months.
How often should I wash my bath towels? Dead skin cells, bacteria, and even sweat can accumulate quickly on your towels, so using a fresh one about every three days is a simple rule of thumb—for all kinds of towels. You can of course change them more often.
Dirty towels cause issues with your skin, but they can also pose a legitimate risk to your health. If your towels are going too long without a spin cycle, they're likely to develop yeasts, bacteria, molds — and even viruses. This can leave you with conditions like toenail fungus, athlete's foot, jock itch, and warts.
“Studies looking into the microbial contamination of towels reveal they can grow into the hundreds of thousands and possibly millions within that time,” says Tetro. “This may be enough to transfer back to your skin and lead to either odor or possible infection.”
Ultimately, though, when a towel's threads begin to pull—or you notice a lingering odor, despite a careful wash—it's time to toss it; you can expect body and hand towels to last between two to five years depending on their quality. Wash cloths, on the other hand, should be replaced every one or two years, notes Winch.
“The longer towels stay damp, the longer the yeasts, bacteria, molds and viruses remain alive and stay active,” explains dermatologist Alok Vij, MD. “They can cause an outbreak of toenail fungus, athlete's foot, jock itch and warts, or cause these skin conditions to spread,” he says.
Once a Week: Ideal. Once Every Two Weeks: Totally Acceptable.
Staph infections (and similar conditions) are some of the most harmful conditions that might be passed via towels. Acne is another condition commonly resulting from skin-to-skin contact. Avoiding shared towels will help prevent acne transfer.
The cons: While washcloths are inexpensive and versatile, they can also harbor bacteria. A moist, used washcloth that is left to air dry each day creates an ideal environment for mold and bacteria to thrive.
The fungus can live on towels, clothes, sheets and household surfaces for months.
Detergent alone does not always kill bacteria. To kill bacteria, use Lysol Laundry Sanitizer in the fabric softener compartment or pour directly into the rinse cycle.
Use 3/4 cup regular bleach for your white and bleachable towels. Use 3/4 cup color-safe bleach for colored towels. If your washing machine doesn't have a bleach dispenser, mix the bleach in 1 quart of water. Add this mixture five minutes into your washing cycle.
It's the dryer—not the washing machine—that lays waste to harmful microorganisms. “High heat drying for at least 28 minutes is the most effective way to kill viruses,” Reynolds says. The “high heat” setting is key. Energy efficient, low-heat settings may not get the job done, she says.
Wash towels with white vinegar occasionally for a deep clean that isn't quite as labor-intensive as stripping laundry. Vinegar is one of the ways to soften towels that have begun to feel stiff, and it removes odors and bacteria.