Caring for Your Bath Towels

A wet bath towel is the perfect breeding ground for bacteria – here’s why:

• First, every time you dry off, dead skin cells collect in the fibers of your towel.  
• Second, those cells serve as food for bacteria, which happens to thrive in moist, tightly woven fabrics.

The folks at the American Cleaning Institute say that bath towels should be hung to dry between uses and washed after 3 – 4 normal uses or more often if you participate in sports.  Here’s what we recommend to help keep your towels bacteria free and smelling fresh:

• After purchasing a new set of towels, wash them before using to remove any excess dyes or chemicals.
• Avoid washing bath towels with other garments for both efficiency and sanitary reasons.
• Use bath towels no more than 3 – 4 times before washing. 
• Wash color towels in warm water and white towels in hot water.
• Instead of using fabric softener, which can make towels feel slimy and less absorbent, consider adding white vinegar to the rinse cycle.
• Be certain that towels are completely dry before folding and putting them away.  Remember – a slightly damp towel can mildew.

For additional information on caring for your bath towels, check out our March 2015 blog post.