“Why You Shouldn’t Reuse Towels: Tips for Proper Towel Hygiene”

Is it okay to use a towel that I have used once? Some people wash the towels immediately after using them, while others dry them before using them again. However, it is better to abandon the habit of reusing towels. This is because damp towels are not only prone to germs, but are also likely to contain dead skin cells and saliva.

According to a study in the United States, even if you wash your body clean, germs on your skin stick to the towel and increase exponentially thereafter. Bacterial and moldy towels can cause various skin diseases or athlete’s foot. Occasionally, some people hang wet towels in the bathroom to dry them, but germs spread quickly because the temperature and humidity in the bathroom are high.

Towels should be dried well before washing. This is because when wet towels are piled up in a laundry basket, a humid environment is created and bacteria and the like proliferate. It is also a good idea to avoid storing them in the washing machine until washing. When washing towels, the drum washing machine can be washed in the wool course at a water temperature of 40 degrees or less. Set the water level high enough for the towel to be submerged in the washing machine, then rinse in cold water.

It is best to wash towels alone. Towels are made of loosely twisted threads than regular cotton fabrics for absorbency and feel, so the fiber strands are more likely to fall out. It sticks well to other laundry and can be cumbersome. Softeners and wool shampoos should be avoided as much as possible. Fabric softeners reduce the towel’s ability to absorb water, and bleach can break the fabric.

It is also important to dry the towel after washing it. If moisture is left on the towel, bacteria can grow and cause an unpleasant odor. Towels should not be stacked on top of each other. It is better to dry in a well-ventilated place than in a sunny place. Strong sunlight can rather make a towel too stiff. You can also use a dryer, dehumidifier, or fan. The dryer, which dries laundry with hot air, enriches the fiber structure of the towel and makes it feel soft to the touch.

If your towels still smell after washing, you need to think about whether they are too old. Old towels can break the fibers and irritate your skin. It is recommended to change towels every 6 months to 1 year.