How to Wash Towels to Keep Them Smelling Fresh

Knowing how to wash towels and bathroom linens can help them last for many years and save you money. While having spa-like matching hand and bath towels may be a status symbol—or at least a sign that you're finally an adult—the reality is that towels get dirty and worn.

But here's a secret: You don't have to spend money constantly replacing your towels—just treat them right the first time, and they'll last a long time. Here's the best way to wash towels, according to laundry expert and former Tide & Downy principal scientist Mary Johnson.

Tips Before Washing Towels

Before washing your towels, consider the following advice:

• Separate towels by color. Always separate your towels into whites and colors. Then, wash them separately. Washing them together will lead to subtle discoloration over time.
• Avoid using too much fabric softener. Only add fabric softener to every third or fourth wash to prevent buildup inside your washing machine and on the fabric.
• Pre-treat to remove musty odors. If towels have an unpleasant scent, wash them with ½ cup of baking soda (minus detergent) first, then rewash the towels with detergent.
• Wash new towels before using them for the first time. As soon as you bring new towels home, toss them into the wash to remove any chemicals manufacturers may have used to make them look fluffy and feel soft in the store. This can also help reduce lint.
• Use bleach selectively. While bleach is excellent for removing stains from white towels, frequent use will break down fibers and shorten their lifespan. Consider using bleach every few washes.

How Often to Wash Towels

Towels should be washed frequently. According to Johnson (and Consumer Reports), a standard bath towel can be used three or four times—under normal circumstances—before it needs to be tossed into the washer.

Hand towels should be replaced every two days, while beach towels should be washed after every use. If someone in your family is or has been sick, it's best to replace their towel after every use to prevent the spread of bacteria.

This washing frequency applies to normal circumstances, meaning the towel has been left to dry properly (spread out on a towel rack to reduce moisture), not bunched up and crumpled up on the floor. 

If you can't remember how many times you've used your towel, Johnson says a good indicator is the musty towel smell.

"Stink and odor are caused by mildew invisible to the naked eye but not to our noses," Johnson explains. "If your towels look clean but still smell bad, it means they're not truly clean."

Why Wash So Frequently?

We know how often towels should be washed can divide the closest families. While some believe they should be switched out after every use, others claim they can survive for weeks without a soak. (You only use your towel once clean, so it can't get too dirty, right?)

But, even if you can't see it, a standard towel can have a party of yeast, mold, and E. coli growing on it. Even though the water washes some of it off, others will stick around and transfer onto your towel during your post-shower rubdown.

"Our body constantly produces sweat, salt, sebum, and skin cells, and much of this can be transferred to towels," says Johnson. That's not to mention other potential body soils and dirt that can collect over time, including mucus, dandruff, makeup, and beauty product remnants. These things will thrive in a dark, steamy bathroom, making your towels particularly vulnerable to bacteria buildup.

If you're convinced that towels can be washed less frequently, consider this: Rubbing yourself down with a dirty towel does not do your skin any favors. It can put you at risk for acne (and even infection); your towels could be causing your recent breakouts without you even knowing it.