Many people wash their bath towels once a week, but a study found that about a third of people wash them only once a month, and some admit to washing them once a year. Towels can quickly become contaminated with bacteria from human skin, gut, airborne fungi, and even toilet spray when flushed.
Bacteria such as Staphylococcus, E. coli, Salmonella, and Shigella can be found on towels. While most are harmless, some can cause infections if they enter cuts or affect people with weakened immune systems. The skin acts as a barrier, but rubbing with a towel can disrupt it.
Experts recommend washing bath towels every three to four uses to reduce microbial buildup. Kitchen towels should be washed more frequently due to foodborne pathogen risks. Proper drying between uses also helps limit bacterial growth.
