Do you really need to wash towels after using each time? I asked the experts

In my home, we use a lot of towels. There's bath towels, hand towels, hair towels, kitchen towels, and towels we use for the gym and swimming. It's a lot. And, sometimes, keeping a check on which towels need cleaning when is overwhelming.

While we have a weekly laundry routine, it's sometimes hard to include towels into the mix. This is because they take up so much room in the washing machine, need proper drying, and don't often make it into the wash basket like my clothes do on a daily basis.

If, like me, you struggle to keep on top of your towel cleaning rotation, I asked the experts how often we should be washing our towels, if it's really necessary to wash them after every use, and even the tell-tale signs for what indicates your towel needs a good wash. The answers might not be what you think.

How often should we really be washing our towels?

So the big question is, how often should I be washing my towels at home? "Washing towels after each use is ideal to prevent soil buildup that can lead to odors," advises Kim Ronnie, Fabric Care Scientist and Dreft Expert at P&G "If you prefer to reuse a bath towel, limit it to a couple of uses before laundering, and make sure it dries thoroughly between uses."

Though other experts I asked, like Rhonda Wilson, Quality Lead Cleaner at FreshSpace Cleaning, says: "After 4 to 5 uses. You might not see anything wrong with it, but there are dead skin cells, invisible grime, and body oils."

But, it also depends on where you live and what's happening in your lives, as Alicia Sokolowski, president and co-CEO of Aspen Clean, explains: "You may need to wash towels more frequently if you live in a humid environment, if they don't have a chance to fully dry between uses, after being sick, or if you use them after workouts and heavy sweating."

So what about items like hand towels? "These should be washed regularly but can be used 2-3 times for convenience," suggests Ronnie. "And for kitchen towels, a daily wash or immediate laundering once soiled."

Aside from kitchen towels though, it seems we can get away with not washing them after every single use.

3 telltale signs that our towels need washing

While there's obvious signs like stains or grime on your towels, there are other signs you might want to pay attention to that you're currently missing, according to the experts.

1. Stiffness or rough texture

It might be hard to tell if your towel feels different than usual once it's dried, but if it starts to feel stiff, then you might want to think about giving it a wash earlier than you'd planned. As Ronnie advises: "When towels become stiff, scratchy, or less absorbent, it usually means dirt, soap residue, or minerals have accumulated."

So, while it doesn't necessarily mean that your towel is particularly dirty, the soap that you've dried off of yourself may have built up on the towel meaning it won't work as efficiently without a clean.

2. Bad odor

Visibly, your towel might look absolutely fine. But, what about if you give it a sniff? Wilson says: "A musty scent is a dead giveaway that a towel needs a good wash." Additionally, Sokolowski also describes the scent as "sour" or like a "wet dog".

Essentially, the smell is usually a solid indication that mildew or bacteria is starting to build up in the towel, and it's unlikely you'd want to dry yourself with a towel that smells anyway. So, take a bad smell as the perfect opportunity to stick it in the washing machine.

3. Lack of absorbency

Another telltale sign that it's time to wash your towels is if they're not soaking up water like you're used to. "When you dry off and notice that the towel is simply pushing water around rather than absorbing it, the towel is likely coated with residue or has reached the end of its useful life," states Isabella Flores, Cleaning Expert and Professional Organizer at Sparkly Maid San Diego

Equally, Wilson says: "If it takes forever to dry or feels damp even hours later, something's off." It may be that you need to give it a clean, or it may be that you need to replace the towel altogether.

The best way to wash towels

I thought I had a pretty good grasp on the best way to wash my towels, but once I asked the experts, it turns out there's some tips and tricks I was missing. Of course, it's always important to follow the care label instructions on your towels, but there's other things you can do to ensure they're as clean as can be.

"Don't overload the washer," advises Ronnie. "Give towels enough space to move freely for optimal cleaning and rinsing." Plus, Wilson adds: "Ideally, you should still be able to fit your hand inside (your washing machine) and have a bit of room to move it around."

She also explains that: "When it comes to detergent, less is more." Why? Well, Wilson reveals: "Too much leaves residue in the fibers, and that's what makes towels stiff and crunchy. Stick to about half the amount the bottle suggests, especially if you're washing a small load. Run an extra rinse and swap fabric softener with a half cup of white vinegar in the rinse cycle."

And finally, dry them thoroughly, "Dry the towels either in a dryer or by hanging them in direct sunlight," adds Flores. "Towels should be completely dry before being folded or stored."

Just as you ensure your towels are completely dry after each use before reusing them, towels must be completely dry after cleaning. Or else, they will begin to show the characteristic signs listed above.

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