Do Towels Dry Better on Hooks or Bars? For the shortest drying time, opt for a towel bar instead of hooks, and hang one towel spread out across the length of the bar. The more surface area exposed to the air, the faster a towel will dry—and the less likely it is to mildew or smell.
After you've dried off with a bath towel, put it on a towel rack. Do not just hang on a hook, because that won't get good coverage exposed and it also puts some fabric stress on one area. If you don't have a free rack, remove a towel that may be already dry or nearly dry and put your damp towel on it.
Air-drying your towels outside on a mild, dry day is the best method. The sun will bleach white towels to keep them bright while the UV rays kill any remaining bacteria. If you don't have any outdoor space, open the windows or use a dehumidifier to prevent moisture from building up in the air.
Hang them on a towel rail
One of the best ways to dry towels in your bathroom is to install a towel rail.
It's absolutely fine to air dry. Just hang them somewhere with good air circulation/on an airer near heat. A dehumidifier will help but is not essential. I tend to flip them around a few times to speed things up.
Do Towels Dry Better on Hooks or Bars? For the shortest drying time, opt for a towel bar instead of hooks, and hang one towel spread out across the length of the bar. The more surface area exposed to the air, the faster a towel will dry—and the less likely it is to mildew or smell.
If using a towel bar, folding them in thirds lengthwise helps maintain grip and promotes even drying. For the best outcome, choose a well-ventilated spot with ample airflow. In humid climates, consider using a dehumidifier to expedite drying and prevent that unpleasant musty odor from creeping in.
A heated towel rack is arguably the best place to hang your wet towels, as its primary purpose is to help dry towels after use. Hanging your wet towels on this device will help them dry faster, preventing mold, mildew, and bacteria from accumulating and ensuring you have a dry towel for next time.
InsideEVs explains, “For almost a decade, some Tesla owners have been putting wet towels or other types of cloth on top of Supercharger cable handles to keep them cool on hot summer days. That trick improved charging speeds,” particularly at older Tesla Superchargers.
If you live in a humid environment you're going to need some help to get your towels dry and the best way is to install a heated towel rail. Yes, heated towel rails are particularly good for drying towels when the weather is cold, but they do an equally good job in summer, in areas of higher humidity.
To air-dry towels, lay them flat on a drying rack inside or hang them outdoors on a clothesline. Air-drying towels may leave them feeling a little stiff but tossing them in the dryer for a quick 'no heat' fluff can soften them up a bit.
A good rule of thumb is to wash bath towels and hand towels after three to four uses, says Mary Gagliardi (aka "Dr. Laundry"), Clorox's in-house scientist and cleaning expert.
The use of commercial-grade dryers with precise settings also plays a crucial role in achieving optimal drying. Understanding how to keep towels soft, hotels ensure that their towels are not over-dried, preserving the fibers' integrity and enhancing their drying efficiency.
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.
“Generally, you should change your towels every three to four uses,” she says. “This helps prevent the buildup of bacteria and odors.” It's important to stick to this clean towel schedule for a few reasons, Chiu notes. Bacteria, dead skin cells, and excess oils from your skin can build up on wet towels.
As the wet and dry items mix, “the dry towel absorbs some of the moisture from the wet clothes, reducing overall humidity in the dryer and allowing the clothes to dry faster,” Shimek says. Polich says it's a “very helpful trick if you're in a pinch,” but the amount of time saved depends on your specific dryer.
"Your bedding will absorb the moisture, making the perfect breeding ground for bacteria,” warns Rhiannon Johns, interior designer and head of brand at Piglet in Bed. And this can have a knock-on impact on health, potentially leading to skin infections or making any existing ones worse.
Use wet towels to seal the space under the door and prevent the entry of smoke. Cracks around the door can be sealed with masking tape if necessary.
With multiple easy-access hooks, coat racks are ideal for hanging damp towels to dry or for storing extras within reach of the shower. Borrow a coat rack from your hallway to use in the bathroom as a sophisticated and convenient towel hook.
Remove your towels from the washing machine, shake them, and tumble dry on medium heat in the dryer. Once dry, remove immediately (inhale that fresh scent!) and fold. To avoid a musty smell, ensure your towels are completely dry before folding and storing.
Ok so this isn't the most practical tip depending on where you live and how the weather is but the absolute best way to hang wet bath towels is outside on a foldable drying rack or laundry line in fresh air and direct sunlight. It will get your towel completely dry and keep them smelling fresh.
Can I air dry my towels? You can air-dry towels, but they'll have a stiff, crunchy texture if you do. To get towels fluffy, it's best to use the dryer.
Hang 'em High and Dry
A balled-up towel won't dry properly, meaning its more prone to developing mildew. To keep your towels fresher, hang them flat after each use.