How often should towels be changed? This question is serious, because after a few days, a huge number of bacteria, as well as viruses and fungi, will appear on them. Some people throw them in the washing machine after a week or two. What do the experts say?

Regular washing of clothes, bed linen and towels is important not only for aesthetic and odor reasons, but above all for health reasons. We must pay special attention to the materials used to wipe our body.

  • Moisture, dust and dirt that accumulate on them can quickly become a breeding ground for bacteria that are dangerous to our health.

How often should towels be washed? Experts explain it simply. After this time, they must be replaced

The towel gets dirty quickly and a lot of bacteria accumulates in it, which are dangerous to our health.

“The longer towels stay wet, the longer yeast, bacteria, mold and viruses stay alive and active”.

– he explains dermatologist dr. Alok Vij of the Cleveland Clinic. The question of the frequency of washing towels was also addressed by the doctor Pedi Mirdamadi who is active on social media. The doctor notes that more and more bacteria appear on our towels every day.

“On the fifth day of use, the towel contains so many bacteria that some of you can definitely smell it. That’s where the bad smell of a wet towel comes from: bacteria feed on body oils to survive and thrive in the towel material.”

– explains Dr. Pedi Mirdamadi.

“It’s the same with the towels we use to wipe our faces. However, their exchange is particularly important here”.

According to the doctor, it should be done three times a weekbecause on the third day the towel becomes a breeding ground for bacteria. She points out that washing towels too infrequently can lead to skin problems, including acne.

And what about the materials used to wipe hands?

How often do you change your face towel? The one on the hands requires special attention

Charles Gerba, a microbiologist from the University of Arizona, In an interview with Time in 2017, he focused on hand towels, which are used most often by all members of the household.

“If you dry your face with a towel after two days, you will probably have more E. coli bacteria on your face than if you stuck your head in the toilet and flushed it.”

– said Charles Gerba in an interview for Time. The microbiologist therefore recommends changing towels no less often than every other day.

  • In summary, according to experts, we should change the towels used for wiping the body at least every five days, while the ones for the face should be changed every three and the ones for the hands no more than every two.

Do you store towels like this? It is bad for your health