How Often Should You Wash Towels? (Hint: Probably More Than You Think)

Wrapping yourself in a fresh, clean towel to dry off after a shower is an undeniably cozy feeling. You might be surprised to learn, however, that your towel is absorbing more than just water during your post-shower ritual. Towels pick up dead skin cells, soap residue, and body oils, and the moisture in towels can support the growth of bacteria and cause mildew odors. 

Washing your towels regularly and effectively can help prolong their lifespan and keep bacteria at bay. To find out how often you should wash your towels, we turned to two laundry experts for their go-to tips and tricks.

How Often to Wash Towels

How often you wash your towels depends on how often you use them. A good rule of thumb is to wash bath towels and hand towels after three to four uses, says Mary Gagliardi (aka "Dr. Laundry"), Clorox's in-house scientist and cleaning expert. Washcloths that are used for face washing or bathing should be washed after each use.

How to Wash Towels

Washing your towels properly helps keep them clean and fresh. Even if your towel seems clean but it still has an odor, it may be a sign that it’s not getting a thorough clean during washing. Make sure you're using a good-quality detergent to remove any lingering buildup and mildew smell, says Kim Romine, a fabric care scientist at P&G.

Before washing your towels, pretreat stains with your preferred stain remover. Wash towels on the heavy-duty cycle (if your washing machine has this option) with a high-quality detergent. Alternatively, you can manually run an extra rinse cycle after a normal cycle is complete.

How to Dry Towels

Always check the care label on your towels before drying them, as most but not all towels can be machine-dried. If your towels can go in the dryer, promptly transfer them to the dryer as soon as they are finished in the washing machine. Generally, towels should be tumble-dried on high heat to ensure they dry thoroughly, says Gagliardi. Make sure they are fully dry before you put them away.

Some dryers have specific settings for towels or bulky items. Romine recommends reviewing your dryer’s user manual for more specific information regarding each setting to ensure you choose the best one.

How Often to Replace Towels

Over time, your towels will naturally wear out from both use and repeated washing. Once they become less absorbent and plush, it’s time to invest in new ones. Keep in mind that the level of care you put into washing and maintaining your towels significantly impacts their lifespan, and a quality set can last for many years. Using high-quality detergents and washing them regularly will make them last longer and prevent issues like odor build-up, says Romine.

Tips for Keeping Your Towels Clean for Longer

To keep your towels fresh and clean for longer, follow these tried and true care tips:

• Wash your towels after every three to four uses—including hand towels. The more soil and soap scum that builds up on a towel, the harder it is to get it clean again.
• Allow towels to hang loosely to dry in between uses, says Gagliardi. Giving them plenty of space to dry instead of tossing wet towels into the hamper helps prevent a mildew smell from forming.
• Use good quality laundry care products, says Romine. Try using a combination of detergent and a fabric rinse for a thorough, deep clean.
• If you live in an area that has hard water, you might notice your towels becoming scratchy or less absorbent over time. Gagliardi recommends washing these towels in an occasional vinegar rinse to help control encrustation.