Expert reveals how often you should wash your towels

When we clean the house, we’re always focused on getting the big chores done—mopping the floors, washing the dishes, wiping the dusty counters. And most of us forget about the small but important things like switching out your bath towels. The problem with forgetting this important step is that towels can be a real breeding ground for bacteria, so you should definitely consider putting it in the washing machine more often.

How many times should you change your bath towel?

Similar to sheets, pillowcases, and duvet covers, you should be washing all your towels regularly. Even if your body is immaculate when you get out of the shower, the towel can quickly become an ideal place for microbes to multiply. Philip Tierno, a microbiologist and pathologist at New York University revealed how often you should be washing your towel on Business Insider and he says it should be washed or replaced after just three uses! This rule only applies to towels that have managed to completely dry between every use. He says that towels that are always damp need to be washed daily.

Tips to keep your towels clean

But we get it, changing up your towels can be a hassle. Washing them every single day is also a huge waste of water, time, and energy. So, if you want to use your towel for a week (maximum) and you want to prevent microbes from building up on your towel, you need to place it in an area where it can fully dry, since moisture leads to the growth of bacteria.

Finally, a rule of thumb: make sure your towel is only used by you. Don’t lend it to other people—not only will your towels become infested with bacteria, you might risk getting pimples and you definitely don’t want that.