Why You Should Wash Your Towels More Often
As temperatures rise, leaving food out at room temperature for too long isn’t recommended, and neither is leaving your used towels lying around. Nathan Tetreault, a microbiologist, advises that towels should be washed at least once a week because “within a week, tens or hundreds of millions of microbes can breed on towels.” Using a towel with microbial growth can lead to unpleasant odors and pose health and hygiene risks.
While most microbes aren’t too concerning, there are harmful ones such as antibiotic-resistant Staphylococcus aureus that can breed on used towels. Using a dirty towel to wipe your face can also worsen skin problems like acne and folliculitis. To prevent such issues, it’s recommended to wash your towels frequently and avoid using the same towel for more than a week.
However, overusing detergent during laundry is not advised either, as residual soap can reduce a towel’s absorption rate and leave an acidic smell. It’s also crucial to dry your towels thoroughly outside of the bathroom, as the warm and moist conditions in the bathroom can encourage microbial growth. Remember to wash your towels correctly and dry them in a clean, dry place to keep your skin and home clean and healthy.
