How often towels should be washed
Short answer: After three to four uses, if the towel dries completely in between each use. If it does not dry, it should be washed after every use, no matter how briefly it was used.
Drying determines the interval
A towel that hangs spread out and dries completely between uses can be used several times before it needs washing. A towel that stays damp, on the other hand, starts to smell after just two uses, because bacteria thrive in the moisture. See bamboo towels for examples that dry quickly.
Hang it spread out
Folded double over a narrow bar, the middle of the towel never fully dries out, and that is exactly where the smell starts first. A bar or a wide hook beats a narrow hook every time, because air can circulate better around the fabric.
One towel per person
If two people share the same towel, it never gets to dry fully between uses, and that is the most common reason towels start to smell. Give each person their own towel so everyone can dry and air it out in between. See home and homewear in bamboo for everyday pieces.
60 degrees once in a while
A hot wash at 60 degrees a few times a year resets odors that have settled into the fibers over time, even with daily washing at 40 degrees. For everyday use, 40 degrees is enough to keep towels fresh without wearing the fabric unnecessarily.
No fabric softener
Fabric softener forms a film on the fibers that binds odors and at the same time destroys the towel's absorbency over time. This is the one thing that does the most damage to a good towel, and it is easy to avoid entirely. See bamboo bedding for similarly good care advice.
Wash at a low temperature otherwise
If you do not use 60 degrees regularly, at least wash at 40 degrees and avoid overloading the machine, so the water can circulate freely. Overloaded machines wash worse and leave more bacteria and odors in the fabric after the wash. Read washing and care for more practical advice on everyday household laundry.
Replace the towel regularly
Even with good drying, a towel should be replaced after a few years of use, because the fibers gradually lose some of their ability to absorb moisture effectively. A towel that no longer dries well needs to be washed more often to stay fresh.
Placement in the bathroom
A bathroom without proper ventilation makes it harder for towels to dry fully, no matter how well they otherwise hang. Air out the room after a shower, and avoid hanging towels too close together, so air can reach the whole surface.
Frequently asked questions
How often should towels be washed?
After three to four uses, if they dry completely between each use. If they do not dry, they should be washed after every use.
Why do my towels smell?
Because they do not dry completely between uses. Hang them spread out over a bar or a wide hook rather than a narrow one.
Should everyone have their own towel?
Yes. A shared towel never gets to dry fully between uses, which leads to odor problems more quickly.
See our range of bamboo towels.
