Multi colored towels hanging in a row on the wall

Your bath towel may be dirtier than you think.

If you’re using your towel right after a shower or bath, there’s no way it could be dirty… right? Not exactly. 

According to Ryan Sinclair, PhD, MPH, Professor of Environmental Microbiology at Loma Linda University, towels act as a second cleaning step, removing whatever didn’t come off in the shower. That means they get dirty faster than most people expect.

Towels pick up dead skin cells, microbes, and skin flora such as Staphylococcus aureus. They can also collect fecal bacteria. Once used, a damp towel becomes an ideal environment for bacteria to grow and multiply.

How often should you change bath towels?

Standard rule: Every three to four uses

Most people should wash their bath towels after 3 to 4 uses, which typically means replacing them once or twice per week, depending on your bathing routine.

However, this guideline only works if the towel completely dries between uses, Sinclair says.

“This rule only applies if you are healthy and the towel fully dries in between uses,” Sinclair explains. “If the towel is doubled over or the room is humid, it should be changed after 2 uses.”

Another thing to consider is your personal health. If you have a compromised skin barrier  —from cuts, eczema, or chronic skin conditions — you may need to change your towel more frequently. This also applies if you or someone in your house is immunocompromised.

If your towel smells

If your towel is emitting a musty odor, bacteria and mold have already started multiplying.

“That musty smell comes from volatile organic compounds produced by bacteria and mold,” Sinclair says. If you proceed to use a musty-smelling towel, the odor can transfer to your skin.

Times when you should only use a towel once

According to Sinclair, towels should be used only one time if:

  • You are experiencing an active infection (Norovirus, the flu, MRSA/Staph, ringworm, athlete’s foot)

  • The towel is exposed to body fluids like blood, sweat, or secretions

  • You have any open wound like surgical incisions and significant scrapes

What about hand towels?

Hand towels are used much more frequently—and often by multiple people. Sinclair says they are one of the primary ways germs spread between family members.

“Like bath towels, hand towels often finish the job by wiping off the bacteria the soap missed,” he says.

Because of their frequent use, hand towels should be changed more often than bath towels.

Towel maintenance tips

To reduce bacterial growth:

  • Spread towels out completely so they can dry fully.

  • Avoid folding or leaving them in a pile.

  • Hang them where they get plenty of airflow.

  • For bath towels, keep the bathroom ventilation fan running while they dry.

Proper care helps towels dry faster and stay fresher between washes.