We give a lot of thought when we wash our favourite shirts, jeans and dresses, but do we ever give a second thought to our towels? What do we do when we come out of a bath? Since most of us take a shower before going to college or office, we’re in too much of a rush to actually take the towel out to the balcony and let it dry. However, it’s little things like these which can shorten the life of your towels considerably. So go through the following list and check whether or not you’re guilty of any of these sins –
They Aren’t Hung Properly
Are you drying your bath towels on hooks? That’s good if you’re doing it outside, and bad if you’re doing it inside. First, of all, drying clothes, especially towels, inside is a bad idea; a stink is one of the biggest reasons why reasons you shouldn’t do it. Another reason is that if towels do not get enough sun, then moisture can become trapped among its layers, letting bacteria and mould grow on it.
The same is the case with two towels being dry on one hook. It’s best to spread the towel (whether on a railing on a rope is up to you) so that its entire surface area is exposed to sunlight.
You Don’t Wash Them Often Enough.
You don’t need us to tell you that when towels aren’t washed frequently enough, they become dirty, stinky and full of germs. Do you really want to be rubbing that all over your body and face straight after a bath? We sincerely doubt it.
If you’re using your towel daily, (especially your hand towel), then you should give it up for a wash easily once a week. Make sure the hand towels aren’t ignored either – they need to be changed/washed as frequently as twice a week because they get dirtiest the quickest.
You Use Too Much Detergent When You Wash Them.
It’s very easy to think that using a little extra detergent will give that extra and much needed wash to your towel, but really, it’s just an urban myth. Use only what’s been recommended by the manufacturers of the towel. Nothing’s mentioned on the label? Not a problem. Treat the towel as one of your more expensive (and delicate) items of clothing and use the detergent accordingly (i.e. in less quantity).
Bath towels are meant to be absorbent, which means they naturally cling to soap and detergent residues. Using excessive detergent can result in it being left behind, which believe it or not, can encourage growth of certain bacteria. Even if it doesn’t, can you imagine running a towel full of detergent all over your face and hair? Ugh! If you have even the slightest doubt that there’s residue on your towel, just wash it in just water.
You Use The Same Towels Too Often.
Yes, we understand you have your favourites, but it’s best to have at least 3 more towels as backups for yourself so that you can easily rotate between the four. Use one towel every week and give it for a wash after the week’s over. Less usage = less washing, which means that your favourite towel will last that much longer.
You Don’t Wash Them In Hot Enough Water.
Yeah, washing in cold water isn’t half as effective as washing your towels in warm water. Why? Because hot water facilitates the killing of any (if at all) germs on your towel very effectively. It also results in cleaner towels that are devoid of any bad odours.
They Aren’t Hung Properly
Are you drying your bath towels on hooks? That’s good if you’re doing it outside, and bad if you’re doing it inside. First, of all, drying clothes, especially towels, inside is a bad idea; a stink is one of the biggest reasons why reasons you shouldn’t do it. Another reason is that if towels do not get enough sun, then moisture can become trapped among its layers, letting bacteria and mould grow on it.
The same is the case with two towels being dry on one hook. It’s best to spread the towel (whether on a railing on a rope is up to you) so that its entire surface area is exposed to sunlight.
You Don’t Wash Them Often Enough.
You don’t need us to tell you that when towels aren’t washed frequently enough, they become dirty, stinky and full of germs. Do you really want to be rubbing that all over your body and face straight after a bath? We sincerely doubt it.
If you’re using your towel daily, (especially your hand towel), then you should give it up for a wash easily once a week. Make sure the hand towels aren’t ignored either – they need to be changed/washed as frequently as twice a week because they get dirtiest the quickest.
You Use Too Much Detergent When You Wash Them.
It’s very easy to think that using a little extra detergent will give that extra and much needed wash to your towel, but really, it’s just an urban myth. Use only what’s been recommended by the manufacturers of the towel. Nothing’s mentioned on the label? Not a problem. Treat the towel as one of your more expensive (and delicate) items of clothing and use the detergent accordingly (i.e. in less quantity).
Bath towels are meant to be absorbent, which means they naturally cling to soap and detergent residues. Using excessive detergent can result in it being left behind, which believe it or not, can encourage growth of certain bacteria. Even if it doesn’t, can you imagine running a towel full of detergent all over your face and hair? Ugh! If you have even the slightest doubt that there’s residue on your towel, just wash it in just water.
You Use The Same Towels Too Often.
Yes, we understand you have your favourites, but it’s best to have at least 3 more towels as backups for yourself so that you can easily rotate between the four. Use one towel every week and give it for a wash after the week’s over. Less usage = less washing, which means that your favourite towel will last that much longer.
You Don’t Wash Them In Hot Enough Water.
Yeah, washing in cold water isn’t half as effective as washing your towels in warm water. Why? Because hot water facilitates the killing of any (if at all) germs on your towel very effectively. It also results in cleaner towels that are devoid of any bad odours.
