How many towels a household needs
Short answer: Two bath towels and two small towels per person. That way you can switch without washing the same day, and each towel gets time to dry fully in between.
Two per person
One towel in use and one clean in the cupboard means you can switch whenever it suits you, without depending on laundry days. Fewer than that forces you to wash on particular fixed days, regardless of whether it fits the rest of the household. See bamboo towels for a set that covers the need.
Small towels more often
Towels by the sink are used by everyone in the household and therefore get dirty faster than bath towels, which are used by only one person at a time. There is therefore an advantage in having several small towels, so you can change them more often without it becoming a hassle in everyday life.
Guest towels
Two extra towels used only when there are guests last many years, because they are rarely washed and wear far less than the family's daily towels. Store them separately from the daily ones, so they are always ready and fresh. See home and homewear in bamboo for more home textiles.
More towels last longer
With more towels in rotation, each individual towel is washed less often over time, and it is the washing itself that wears the fibers the most, not use alone. Less frequent washing per towel therefore extends the total lifespan considerably compared with a smaller number washed often.
Room to hang them
If you have more towels than you have hooks or bars for, they end up folded and damp in a corner of the bathroom. Count hooks and bars before buying more towels, otherwise the extra purchase does not actually solve anything for odor and durability. See bamboo bedding for similar considerations about space. Read washing and care for more practical advice on washing towels and other textiles.
Size depends on use
A large bath towel is good after a shower, while a smaller towel is more practical for, say, the gym or a trip to the pool. Consider what the towels will mainly be used for before deciding the exact number of each size for the household.
Material affects the number
A towel that dries quickly can be used several times and therefore washed less often, meaning you can manage with fewer pieces than with slower drying materials. Choose material with drying time in mind, not just softness, when deciding how many towels the household actually needs.
Adjust for household size
A household with many members or frequent guests should aim for the higher end of the recommendation, while a single person can manage with slightly fewer. Adjust the number based on how often you actually do laundry, and how much space you realistically have for storage and hanging.
Frequently asked questions
How many towels should you have?
Two bath towels and two small towels per person. That way you can switch without washing the same day every time.
Do more towels last longer?
Yes. Each individual towel is washed less often, and it is the washing itself that wears the fibers the most over time.
What about guest towels?
Two extra towels used only for guests last many years, because they are washed far less often than the daily ones.
See our range of bamboo towels.
