“Damp, used towels in moist bathrooms encourage microbial growth,” she said. “Although most of these germs are often harmless, some of them (including Staphylococcus bacteria) can cause infection and health problems, especially in people with skin wounds and immunocompromised people.”
That said, anyone who reuses their towels could possibly get folliculitis, which looks similar to acne, says Amy Kassouf, M.D., a board-certified dermatologist at Cleveland Clinic. This condition occurs when you develop a bacterial infection in a hair follicle, according to the Mayo Clinic.
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.
What Will Probably Happen: You'll walk around smelling like a musty towel. After just four uses, your towel will be covered in thousands—possibly millions—of bacteria. Bacteria that you're then wiping all over your "clean" body.
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.
Although you're right that some bacteria may live on your towel, it's probably not enough to cause health problems. Experts generally recommend washing bath towels once a week (or after three to five uses).
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.
Use 1/2 cup of 5 percent white vinegar during your wash cycle. Vinegar helps remove odors and strips away detergent buildup to make your towels as fluffy and fresh as the day you bought them. For a top-loading machine, simply raise the lid and pour in the vinegar.
Wash your microfiber towel after every 3 times you use it. It's also important to keep the towel dry when it's not in use. Check if it's getting damp while hanging in your bathroom. If it is, you may need to wash it after every time you use it.
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 Your Bath Towels Prevents Bacteria.
In one unreleased study, 90 percent of bathroom towels were contaminated with coliform bacteria, bacteria found in water that indicate disease-causing organisms could be present, and 14 percent were found to carry E. coli.
The optimal shower
Experts typically recommend showering several days a week. The decision is personal, but knowing your body and routine is key. Showering every day is not bad for you (yay!), and showering every other day or even a couple of times a week isn't either.
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.
They cannot be acquired by casual contact and items like towels, toilet seats, etc. Here's the catch: While a yeast infection isn't considered a sexually transmitted disease, there is a small chance your guy could wind up with an itchy rash if you have unprotected sex while infected.
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.
While towels will never be completely germ free, the amount of bacteria can be limited with far more regular washing than probably you're doing now. Gerba says bathroom towels should be washed after about two days of use, especially if the household has young children in it.
Bacteria can survive regular detergent, according to Gerba, so use hot water and a product with activated oxygen bleach to thoroughly clean towels. You may be able to go slightly longer before washing if you're careful about keeping towels very dry, Whittier says.
The expert recommends opting for a temperature range between 104-140°F for clean towels that will look fresh, wash after wash. 'This temperature is hot enough to kill bacteria but not so hot that it will damage the fabric of the towels,' he says.
As long as you take care of them, good bath towels will last years before needing replacement. There's no set time for towel life spans — how long they last will depend on their quality and maintenance. You should buy new bath towels when yours become worn, unabsorbent and scratchy.
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.
The Ideal Number of Towels per Person
Keep three sets of towels for each individual who lives in your household—one in the wash, one in the closet, and one in use. This ensures there is always a towel in reserve for when you might need it.
Bath Towels Need to Be Broken-In
But you may not have known that your new bath towel has a "break in" period before it reaches maximum softness and absorbency. In fact, it can take as many as three full wash cyclesfor your bath towel to feel great and absorb water the way it was designed to.