Most people focus on cleansers, moisturizers, sunscreen, and skincare treatments. Laundry is also key, especially for towels. Bath towels, hand towels, and washcloths come into contact with your skin daily. If not cleaned well or often enough, they quickly collect bacteria, fungi, and other irritants that may harm your skin.
Regularly washing towels keeps your skin healthy and reduces the risk of infection.*
Why Towel Hygiene Matters
Every time you use a towel, it collects more than water—dead skin cells, body oils, sweat, bacteria, and tiny amounts of bodily fluids. Damp towels in warm, poorly ventilated bathrooms are ideal for the growth of germs and fungi.
A musty towel smell comes from bacteria, mold, or mildew in the fabric. The odor is unpleasant, but the real problem is that these germs can stay on the towel and transfer to your skin.
Poor towel hygiene can contribute to several skin and health concerns, including:
- Acne breakouts
- Skin irritation
- Eczema flare-ups
- Fungal infections like athlete’s foot, ringworm, and jock itch
- Viral infections such as warts
- Spread of bacteria including E. coli or MRSA
- Eye infections like pink eye
Hand towels are riskier, as many people use them throughout the day. With frequent use, germs build up quickly.
How Often Should You Wash Towels?
Many people wonder about towel-washing frequency. Most dermatologists suggest washing bath towels at least once a week, or every two or three uses if you shower often, sweat a lot, or live in a humid place.
For washcloths, change them more often since they come into close contact with your skin and stay damp longer. Try to replace them after each use, or at least several times a week, to minimize bacterial buildup.
Hand towels should be washed at least once a week. If you have a large family or use the towels frequently, change them every few days to keep them clean.
If a towel starts to smell musty before your usual wash day, wash it immediately to prevent bacteria and mold buildup, regardless of your typical schedule.
How to Wash Towels in a Washing Machine
Proper towel washing is as important as washing often. Towels need more than a quick rinse to remove bacteria, oils, and detergent.
If your washer has a towel setting, use it. This cycle gives towels a longer wash and more water to clean thick fabric. If not, choose a normal or heavy-duty cycle with warm or hot water.
Don’t overload the washer. Towels need space to get cleaned and rinsed well.
When washing towels:
- Use a quality detergent
- Wash towels separately from clothing when possible
- Avoid excessive fabric softener use
- Limit scent beads and heavy fragrance products
Fabric softeners and scent boosters make towels smell good briefly, but leave residue. This buildup lessens absorbency and allows bacteria and mildew to stay in the fabric.
What Temperatures for Washing Towels Work Best?
Warm or hot water usually works best for killing germs and removing oils from towels.
Hot water is especially helpful for:
- Towels with strong odors
- Towels used during illness
- Gym towels
- Towels exposed to fungal infections
After washing, dry towels completely on high heat if possible. Damp towels in the washer or in a humid room are more likely to mildew and smell bad.
If towels still smell after washing, adding bleach (for safe fabrics) can help kill bacteria and refresh them.
Healthy Skin Starts with Clean Habits
Good skincare isn’t just about what you put on your skin. It includes what touches your skin daily. Clean towels reduce irritation, prevent the spread of germs, and keep skin healthier.
By understanding when and how to wash towels and choosing the right water temperature, you help protect your skin and health. Musty-smelling towels are a clear sign they need to be washed immediately.
*Medical Disclaimer
The information provided in this article is for general educational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the guidance of a qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Dermatology Partners is not responsible for any errors, omissions, or outcomes resulting from reliance on this information.
Source
American Association of Naturopathic Physicians. (2024, March 7). How often do you wash your towels? Doctor warns they’re probably full of infectious bacteria. American Association of Naturopathic Physicians
Gerba, C. P., Kennedy, D., & Maxwell, S. (2023). Microbial contamination of bathroom towels and implications for household hygiene. American Journal of Infection Control, 51(7), 789–794. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ajic.2023.03.007
Cleveland Clinic. (2024, February 12). How often should you wash your germ magnet of a bath towel? Cleveland Clinic Health Essentials
