This is a common question for many people looking to reduce laundry and be more sustainable. The number of times you can reuse a towel before washing depends on several factors.
How Often Should You Wash Towels?
There is no definitive rule for how often towels need to be washed. However, most experts recommend washing towels every 3-7 uses. Here are some general guidelines:
- Bath towels – 3-5 uses
- Hand towels – 3-5 uses
- Kitchen towels – 3-7 uses
- Gym towels – 1-2 uses
Towels used by multiple people or for heavy drying should be washed more frequently. On the other hand, towels hung to dry between uses and used by one person can go longer between washes.
Factors That Determine Towel Lifespan
There are several factors that determine how long a towel can be used between washes:
Towel Material
The material a towel is made from impacts how often it needs washing. Here are some common materials and their typical lifespan:
| Material | Typical Uses Before Washing |
|---|---|
| Cotton | 3-5 |
| Bamboo | 3-5 |
| Microfiber | 6-10 |
| Linen | 3-5 |
As you can see, microfiber towels tend to last the longest between washes. Cotton and linen towels should be washed more frequently.
Towel Use
How the towel is used impacts how dirty it gets:
- Bath towels – Used for drying clean bodies so they tend to get less dirty than hand or kitchen towels.
- Hand towels – Used after washing hands so they collect more germs and dirt.
- Kitchen towels – Prone to collecting food particles, germs, and grease while drying dishes and hands.
- Gym towels – Absorb a lot of sweat so they tend to get foul very quickly.
The cleaner the use of the towel, the less often it needs washing. Bath towels used by one person can go the longest between washes.
Number of Users
Towels used by multiple people need more frequent washing than towels used by only one person. Each person leaves behind germs and oils that build up faster. Stick to one user per towel if you want to extend time between washes.
Drying Method
Letting towels air dry between uses allows more bacteria and germs to die off. Towels that are piled up wet tend to sour faster. Either hang towels to dry or fold neatly to maximize drying between uses.
Humidity Levels
Towels left damp in humid environments are more prone to mildew and bacterial growth. If you live in a humid climate, err on the side of washing towels more frequently to avoid mold and odors.
Personal Hygiene
The cleaner your body is when you use a towel, the cleaner it will remain. Towels used after thorough bathing and hand washing will stay fresher than those used when you’re sweaty or dirty. Good personal hygiene allows towels to be reused more times.
Signs It’s Time to Wash a Towel
Rather than counting uses, it’s best to be guided by the condition of the towel itself. Here are signs it’s definitely time to toss it in the wash:
- Visible dirt or stains
- Musty or sour odor
- Damp or stiff feel
- Visible mold or mildew
- Makeup or grease stains
If a towel smells bad, looks dirty, or feels slimy, don’t bother trying to get more uses out of it. Head straight to the washing machine.
How to Make Towels Last Longer Between Washes
You can get more use out of bath, hand, and kitchen towels with these simple tips:
- Use dedicated towels per person so they don’t get mixed up.
- Hang towels to dry completely after each use.
- Wash your body and hands thoroughly before using.
- Keep humidity low in your bathroom.
- Add white vinegar or tea tree oil to kill odors and bacteria.
- Use microfiber or quick-dry materials.
- Avoid scrubbing your body harshly with the towel.
- Fold kitchen towels neatly so the clean sides are used each time.
Storing Dirty Towels
It’s best to avoid letting wet towels sit too long before washing. However, life gets busy. Here are some tips for storing towels that are ready for the wash:
- Drape over a drying rack or rod so air can circulate.
- Use an odor eliminating spray to keep them fresh.
- Place in a breathable hamper, not sealed plastic.
- Wash gym towels after each use to prevent odor issues.
- Don’t let heavily soiled kitchen towels sit more than a day.
Washing Towels to Sanitize
To kill germs and bacteria, wash towels using the warmest recommended water temperature and add bleach or other sanitizing agents. Here are some wash tips:
- Choose the hot or sanitary cycle on your machine.
- Use detergent and bleach or oxygen boosters.
- Add borax or baking soda for extra cleaning power.
- Use vinegar in the rinse to remove soap residue.
- If washing in cold water, add lemon juice to help cut grease.
- Use an eco-friendly detergent designed for cold washing.
- Air or tumble dry towels completely.
Replacing Worn Out Towels
No matter how often you wash them, towels eventually reach the end of their lifespan. It’s time to replace towels if they:
- Become threadbare or frayed.
- Are no longer absorbent.
- Have permanent stains or bleach discoloration.
- Feel stiff, rough, or crunchy.
- Are musty smelling even after washing.
- Show visible mold, mildew, or bacteria growth.
Shop for new towels when they stop drying effectively or look tattered. Depending on use and care, most towels need replacement every 1-3 years.
Extending Towel Lifespans
You can make towels last longer through proper use and care:
- Choose quality cotton, microfiber, or bamboo materials.
- Wash in cold or warm water, not hot.
- Use a mild detergent and avoid bleach.
- Line or flat dry instead of machine drying.
- Remove stains promptly with natural cleaners.
- Avoid scrubbing or grinding dirt in the fibers.
- Use fabric softener to prevent roughness.
With careful laundering and air drying, a quality towel can last up to 5 years or more.
Knowing When To Discard Towels
It’s important to take any towel with the following issues out of circulation completely:
- Visible mold or mildew spots
- Musty, foul smell that persists after washing
- Large holes or failing stitches
- Visible fraying or extensive pilling
- Rodent or insect damage
- Permanent stains from chemicals, makeup, medicines, etc
Using damaged or unsanitary towels can transfer bacteria, viruses, or chemicals to your skin. When in doubt, throw it out.
Conclusion
How often you should wash towels depends on the material, use, drying, and storage. Most towels need washing every 3-7 uses. Let the towel’s condition guide you. Smell, visible dirt, dampness, and growth of mildew or bacteria are signs it’s time for the laundry. Follow basic hygiene and care tips to maximize the lifespan of your towels.