What It Means
Towel washing frequency is how often towels should go through the laundry to stay clean. Dr. Alok Vij, a dermatologist at Cleveland Clinic, recommends a weekly wash for bath towels as the minimum. Putting out a fresh towel does the same job. Towels that stay damp between uses need washing more often.
Try It: How Often Does This Towel Get Washed?
Pick a towel and your bathroom, and see how often it goes in the wash, based on Cleveland Clinic's guidance.
Your answers
Your result
After each use
At least once a week
At least a couple of times a week
Two to three times a week
With someone sick at home, wash more often than usual.
Give it room on the rail so it's fully dry before the next use.
How It Sounds at Home
- "Whose towel is this on the floor?"
- "These smell funky, they're going in the wash."
- "Grab a fresh one from the closet."
The Breakdown
How often, per Cleveland Clinic
| Towel | How often |
|---|---|
| Bath towel | At least once a week |
| Hand towel | At least once a week |
| Washcloth | At least a couple of times a week |
| Gym towel left damp in a bag | After each use |
| Any towel in a humid bathroom | Two to three times a week |
| When someone in the house is sick | More often than usual |
Help towels dry between uses. Open each towel out flat on a bar, since a towel bunched on a hook stays damp in the folds.
Good to Know
Go easy on fabric softener, scent beads and stain removers. Cleveland Clinic warns that these products leave a coating on the fabric, and germs grow more easily on a coated towel.
FAQ
How often should you wash bath towels?
At least once a week, according to Cleveland Clinic. Wash them more often if they stay damp or someone at home is sick.
How often should washcloths be washed?
At least a couple of times a week, since they stay wet and come in close contact with skin.
Is it better to hang towels on a hook or a bar?
A bar. Spreading the towel out lets it dry completely between uses.
Do It in Buhata
Recurring chores
Add "Wash bath towels" as a weekly chore in Buhata and give it an owner.
Open BuhataRelated Terms and Categories
- Sheet washing frequency
How often bed sheets should be washed. Cleveland Clinic advises at least once a week, with pillowcases in the same load.
- Mildew
A flat, usually gray or white mold that grows on damp surfaces such as shower grout, curtains and fabric left wet.
- Washing machine cleaning
Cleaning the inside of a washer, including its drum and door seal, so detergent residue, damp and mildew don't build up. Whirlpool advises about once a month.
Sources
Cleveland Clinic, "How Often Should You Wash Your Bath Towels?" (Dr. Alok Vij, dermatologist)
Last updated .