How Often Do You Really Need To Wash Your Towels?

There’s nothing like a fresh towel waiting for you after a refreshing shower. A well-stocked linen cupboard or towel rack certainly feels like a necessity. But the key to having a good rotation of nice towels is learning how to keep them fresh and clean. So, how often do you need to wash a towel to keep your home sanitary?

How Often Should You Wash Your Towels?

If your towels smell, you’ve definitely waited too long. Your weekly reset list might include washing your towels, which is good! A week is the maximum amount of time you should go between washings. However, according to the American Cleaning Institute, you should wash them after 3-5 uses.

Should I wash towels in cold or hot water?

Defer to the fabric care tag on your towels to decide what temperature water to use to wash them. The symbols there will tell you the water temperature and dryer temperature to dry them at so that you can clean them while also prolonging their lives. Often, if you’re washing with bleach, you should use a hotter water temperature.

Should I wash towels with vinegar?

Vinegar is a great cleaning agent, but it’s not the same as bleach. Towels come into contact with your bare skin, so it’s a good idea to clean them with a strong disinfectant, especially if you’re sick or are currently reckoning with a fungal infection.

Can you wash towels with clothes?

It depends. Ideally, you want to wash your clothes with a gentle detergent, while you should opt for something focused on disinfection for your towels. If you’re in a pinch, you can wash them together. But to get all of your items as clean as possible while still following the care instructions on their tags, you should separate out your towels.

Can I wash towels with sheets?

Just like with clothes, it depends. Your sheets may be labeled with different care instructions than your towels. If you’re able, it’s best to keep them separate so that you can focus on extending the life of all your items. Plus, depending on how big your laundry machines are, you may be unable to fit all your bedding and towels in the same load.

How Often Should You Replace Towels?

While it may be tempting to get colorful towels for each season or an assortment of neutral ones to match your bathroom decor every time you redo it, that’s actually not necessary. If your towels show major signs of wear or don’t seem to dry you off thoroughly, it’s time to replace them. Otherwise, as long as you’re cleaning them properly, they’re still good to remain in rotation.

Source

Laundry Basics, American Cleaning Institute