Some people use a fresh bath towel every day, while others go for a week between washes—but how many times should you actually use your towel before you wash it? Although there's some personal preference involved, there is actually a general rule of thumb to follow. Laundry and cleaning experts are weighing in, and the consensus is that you should be washing your bath towels after set number of uses.
"Due to frequent usage and buildup of dust, body oils, and more, bath towels can quickly become dirty which is why it is so important to wash them regularly," says Wendy Saladyga, stain expert and senior manager of technical performance for Henkel. Below, experts explain why bath towels get dirty so quickly and why you should be washing them frequently.
Why Do Bath Towels Get Dirty So Quickly?
Given their frequent usage, bath towels collect body oils, dead skin cells, sweat, dust, bacteria, and residue from soaps and shampoos with every use. "After just a few days, towels can accumulate hundreds of thousands to millions of bacteria, especially if they don’t dry properly between uses," says cleaning and laundry expert Alicia Sokolowski, president and co-CEO of AspenClean.
Even though the bacteria and buildup comes from our own bodies, if the towels stay damp Sokolowski says it increases the risk of spreading bacteria or fungi. "Most people believe towels don’t get dirty easily since they are used only after bathing, but here’s a fact—towels can develop up to 1000 times more bacteria than a toilet seat in just three days," says Maria Anderson, cleaning and organizing expert at Henfield Storage.
How Many Times Should You Use a Bath Towel Before Washing It?
We asked five cleaning and laundry experts to weigh in on how many times you can use a bath towel before washing it and the average number was three. While this topic is subjective and personal preference certainly plays a role, as a rule of thumb you should wash bath towels after three uses. "That way, you're striking a nice balance between cleanliness and towel longevity," says Jade Piper, operations manager at BetterCleans.
It's important to note that uses does not equal days. "Do not confuse uses with days," Anderson says. If you use your bath towel once a day, the ideal time to wash it is every three days, however the timeline changes if you use it more frequently than that.
When You Might Want to Wash Towels More Frequently
There are a few factors that influence your laundry schedule, For example, "washing the towels every two days is advisable for people with sensitive skin," says Forrest Webber, owner of Bear Brothers Cleaning. Other factors include illness in the home, environmental factors, and personal preferences.
Recent sickness: Anytime you are sick, make sure to wash your bath towel after each use. Bacteria can linger on the towel and spread, potentially leading to your sickness being prolonged.
Sensitive skin: If you have sensitive skin, dirt and bacteria buildup on towels may cause irritation and washing towels more frequently than after three uses, even after each use, is advised.
Physical activity: If you work out every day or had a particularly physically active day, you will want to wash your bath towels more frequently. To ensure your bath towels stay in good condition even with frequent washing, purchase multiple sets that can be used on rotation.
Musty odors: If you notice your bath towel has a musty odor, throw it in the wash even if it hasn't been used three times yet. Towels that are left in pile on the floor and aren't dried properly tend to develop musty odors and should be washed immediately. Additionally, if towels are left to dry on the floor, they're likely to pick up dust, dirt, or pet hair and become even dirtier.
Humid climate: A bathroom is a humid environment and even more so if you live in a humid climate. If your bathroom doesn't have proper ventilation and always feels humid, chances are your bath towels, even if hanging up, never fully dry. To prevent mold and bacteria from forming, wash them more frequently and store fresh towels in a non-humid space such as a linen closet.
How to Wash Bath Towels
For best results, Sokolowski recommends washing bath towels in hot water with a natural detergent that effectively breaks down oils and bacteria while maintaining the towel's softness and absorbency. Your choice of laundry detergent is particularly important if you have sensitive skin and Saladyga warns that some detergents contain harsh chemicals or fragrance allergens which remain on towels after washing and can lead to skin irritation, allergies, or exacerbate existing skin conditions. She also advides that you avoid using fabric softeners on bath towels and hang them on a towel bar instead of a towel hook to allow for good air circulation and complete drying.
Source: Sabella, M. (2025h, June 1). After This Number of Uses, It's Time to Wash Your Bath Towel. Better Homes & Gardens. https://www.bhg.com/when-to-wash-bath-towels-8787138