There’s an ongoing argument on the number of wash towels we should use. Some say wash towels aren’t necessary. Others believe you need at least one to wash your body, after using clean hands to wash your face. There are also those who are adamant about using two wash towels (one for your face and another for your body) and replacing them on a daily basis. So, what’s the deal? How many wash towels do we really need?
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The answer varies depending on who you ask.
“Two separate towels should be used for the face and the rest of the body. Facial skin is more prone to certain conditions, like acne, caused [by] bacteria (propionibacterium acne). In the interest of hygiene, a different towel is advisable,” said Dr. Jyotisterna Mittal, a dermatologist and venereologist with iCliniq.
To dry your face, Dr. Mittal suggests gently patting your face with a soft cotton towel, instead of rubbing it.
Others say you should have four washcloths:
Now, for some four washcloths may seem a little excessive, but no matter how many washcloths you use, how you take care of them is the most important.
Washcloths require the highest frequency for changing because they often make contact with your face. If you don’t change your washcloth, you’re more likely to expose your face to bacteria and experience breakouts on your skin. Generally, you’ll want to replace your washcloth after one to three uses. If you’re replacing your washcloth daily, a safe bet is to own at least seven washcloths. You’ll have a fresh towel for your face every day of the week and stay healthy.
It’s hard to know exactly how many baby bath towels you’ll need before your baby arrives, but learning more about interactive play during infant bath time and the many benefits of baby bath towels can help you get a good estimate. Baby towels and washcloths are essential to keeping your baby clean and healthy. When you consider this, along with how often you’re likely to bathe your baby and your laundry frequency, you can get a better idea about the number of towels you’ll use.
While some may find it mandatory to change their towels daily, it’s not necessary unless you are suffering from a skin infection.
If you suffer from a skin infection, like dermatophytosis (more commonly known as “ringworm”), Dr. Mittal advises using a separate towel over that area to prevent spreading the infection to other areas of the body.
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Changing a towel daily is more commonly practiced by those who suffer from delusions of parasitosis or obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD).
“Patients may be seen to follow extreme hygiene rituals and use specially sanitized towels packed in sealed bags for every use,” said Dr. Mittal.
While the soap and water combination may clean your body, it can leave your towel filthy and ridden with bacteria and mold. So, regardless of how many towels you use, the most important thing is to keep them clean and dry.
A moldy stench on your wash towel is a dead giveaway that you either didn’t allow your towel to dry completely or you’ve waited too long to throw it in the washing machine.
“Washcloths typically become soaked and heavily soiled during use. When used to scrub skin, soils from makeup or dead skin cells can rapidly accumulate. Being wet and not just damp (like a bath towel) means there is a longer dry time. This lengthy condition of moisture creates the perfect environment for bacteria and mold to grow to unacceptable levels,” Dr. Kelly A. Reynolds, an environmental health science professor at the University of Arizona, told Buzzfeed in a recent article.
“You don’t want to take your bath towels outside,” Jajonie, marketing and PR coordinator at Slowtide, says. “A home needs ‘outside towels,’ or those you can use at the pool, the beach, or the lake.”
“Many towels use fabric dyes that quickly fade,” Jajonie continues. “If you are using a colorful or patterned towel that has significant fading, it will easily look more like a rag over time. Find products that use reactive dyes instead. Certain dyes also contain harmful chemicals, so it’s always good to look for towels that meet the Oeko-Tex certification, which guarantees products are made free of damaging toxins.”
“It’s always smart to wash towels in cold water and tumble dry low, but different towel uses require different washing timelines,” Jajonie continues. “For instance, if you are going to the beach several days in a row, you can reuse the same towel. Otherwise, wash beach towels after each use. Bath towels should go no more than a week between washes. Fitness towels and yoga towels should be washed after each use. Fold towels to fit wherever they are stored. I recommend holding the towel by the edges so that you can match the corners. Then fold it in half, horizontally, and then in half, horizontally, again. Finally, fold it once more, in thirds.”
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