Suggested Inventory – How Many Towels Do I Need? Adults: Four bath and two hand towels per week, plus two washcloths per day. Kids: Four bath and four hand towels per week, plus two washcloths per day. Guests: Two bath and hand towels for each guest, plus two washcloths daily.
In a normal week, most families will use about two sets of towels per person, with each set consisting of a bath towel, a hand towel and a washcloth. This will vary based on how often you choose to launder your towels.
We would recommend everyone in the home having their own set of towels, made up of at least 2 hand towels, 2 bath towels and 2 bath sheets. This can vary slightly, particularly the larger sized towels.
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.
It's OK to reuse a towel a few times before you wash and dry -- and it's better for the environment, too. Reusing towels a few times is better for the environment and likely won't be a cause for alarm.
As for the other kinds of cotton, Ali contended that, “As a couple, you should own a minimum of the following: 10 Bath sheets, 10 Bath towels, 10 Hand towels. Preferably more.”
In summary, the number of towels you need depends on several factors, including the size of your household, your laundry routine, and your personal preferences. However, as a general guideline, you should have at least one bath towel per person, two hand towels per bathroom, and two washcloths per person.
The Rules of Thumb to Follow
"We suggest four bath towels (two in use, two in the wash) supplemented with two hand towels, and two washcloths—perfect for one adult," says Liz Eichholz, creative director and co-founder of towel brand Weezie.
A set usually consists of a bath towel or bath sheet depending, a hand towel, and a washcloth.
When choosing a bath towel color, consider your personal style and the mood you want to create in your bathroom. Soft, muted colors such as lavender, light green, and baby blue create a calming atmosphere, while bright, bold colors like red and orange energize the space.
You want to make sure you have at least two bath towels, four hand towels and seven washcloths per member of your household. Depending on the ages of your household's members, you may want to invest in more towels as kids (and pets) may cause messes.
Here's what we found: Only about 20% of the people we surveyed wash their towel as often as they're supposed to. Of the 523 people surveyed, nearly half said that they wash their towels once a week.
However, the best space-saving towel folding method is the spa-style roll. Rolled towels take up significantly less space than flat folded towels. Rolled towels can be stored easily in other places if you have limited storage space.
The answer depends on a few factors. In general, Tierno recommends using bath towels two to three times max before washing them. And Dr. Gonzalez recommends washing your bath towel after every three to four uses, or at minimum once a week.
Most hotel rooms are occupied by one or two people, so two or three towels makes sense. If you are renting a room that can sleep more, you need to tell the desk clerk that, when you check in, so they can have the staff run the extra towels up to the room. Why do hotels have different types of rooms?
Luxury bath towels can run close to $100—but you don't have to spend that much. You can find quality bath towel options that tick all our boxes for $40 or less. The key is knowing the difference between a low-cost, low-quality option and an affordable, high-quality one, which you now know thanks to our handy tips.
“We've found that the priciest towels tend to be significantly heavier, which means they stay damp longer and can get musty easily,” says Modak. Some options require a pre-wash cold-water soak, very small amounts of detergent, and line-drying, which isn't conducive for anyone living in small, city apartments.
It is something that most couples wouldn't think twice about doing but research suggests that sharing a towel with your partner could spread harmful bacteria.
Instead, it is best to use separate towels for each individual or family member, which can reduce the risk of spreading infections and illnesses, promote healthy skin, and maintain personal hygiene and boundaries.
Bacteria spread through shared towels can enter the body through pores, cuts, sores, and wounds. These are some of the most common illnesses that arise from towels: The bacteria that causes staph infections grow quickly in damp conditions that towels cultivate.
Tierno recommend washing bath towels every two or three days. Hold out longer than that, and all those microorganisms will make your towel grungy. “You may not get sick after using a towel for two weeks, but that's not the point,” says Dr. Tierno.
In general, showering every other day or every few days is enough for most people. Keep in mind that showering twice a day or frequently taking hot or long showers can strip your skin of important oils. This can lead to dry, itchy skin.
Towel bars allow towels to dry without being bunched up, so they dry faster than towels might on a hook or ring. Towel bars come in multiple lengths, so you may want to measure your bath towels and choose a bar that's long enough to accommodate your favorite set of bath towels.