Change towel: after five days it is a must

Created: 05/10/2022, 16:15

By: Jasmin Pospiech

How often do you change your bath towel or hand towel?

Apparently most of them rarely do.

The result can be infections and skin irritation.

Munich – There are various reasons why we don't change or wash towels as often as we should.

For some, the environmental aspect is important and they no longer want to waste so much water.

Others, on the other hand, see no reason to do so, after all you are completely clean after showering or washing your hands?

According to this logic, you only dry off areas that have already been cleaned with shower gel or soap.

Many believe that they can use them longer, especially when the shower and hand towels still look attractive.

Wrong thought!

Change towel: after five days it is a must

How often do you change your bath and hand towels?

Basically, it is recommended to use it only three times.

(symbol image) © leisuretime70/Imago

Because after we have used them, they are often still damp and therefore a breeding ground for germs and pathogens.

In addition, skin bacteria and other germs get into the material of the cloth when drying.

In this warm, humid climate, they find ideal conditions to reproduce.

In addition, most of them keep their (used) towels in the bathroom, which is also where most of the toilets are located.

But after each use, faecal bacteria are whirled up during rinsing, which in turn are then distributed throughout the room.

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Changing towels: This applies to single and family households

In order to avoid infections underneath and skin irritation, it is therefore advisable to regularly exchange used towels for fresh ones.

For bath or shower towels, it is advisable to change them every three days or after three uses.

However, if you shower every day, don't wait longer than five days at most.

Then hang up the towel so that it can dry well in between.

The situation is similar with towels for drying hands.

If you have one of your own, you should replace it every three days.

On the other hand, if the whole family uses a towel and it can never dry properly due to constant use, it is better to throw it in the laundry basket every evening.

This article only contains general information on the respective health topic and is therefore not intended for self-diagnosis, treatment or medication.

In no way does it replace a visit to the doctor.

Unfortunately, our editors are not allowed to answer individual questions about clinical pictures.