As of: January 31, 2024, 8:02 a.m
By: Andrea Stettner
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More germs often settle on washcloths than you think.
How often they should be washed also depends on which parts of the body they are used for.
Washcloths are still used every day, especially by children and older people.
Unfortunately, just like towels, they are usually changed too rarely.
Since washcloths are in direct contact with the skin, they should be put in the washing machine regularly.
We show which recommendations you can follow.
How often to change and wash washcloths?
Washcloths can be used for several days.
But when should they be put in the wash?
© Robert Kalb/Imago
How often you should change washcloths depends primarily on which parts of your body you clean with them.
According to
NDR.de,
the following rule of thumb applies:
If you wash above the waist (e.g. the face or upper body), it is sufficient to change the washcloth every two to three days.
Washcloths that are used below the waist should be put in the laundry after a day.
However, it also depends on how often the washcloth is used.
If you shower two or three times a day or are very active, such as athletes, you should not use the washcloth for days on end, but rather add it to the laundry more often.
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At what temperature do washcloths get clean?
Washcloths are hygienically clean at 60 ° Celsius.
Only at these temperatures are germs, bacteria and fungi that may have settled on the textiles reliably killed.
For underwear, however, 30 ° Celsius is often sufficient.
When it comes to the question of the right detergent for washcloths, the
Washing Forum
recommends using a heavy-duty detergent in powder form (or granules, beads, tablets).
This contains bleach, which also has a disinfectant effect.
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Washing at 60° is also recommended for these textiles
Not only washcloths become hygienically clean again in this way - also towels, cleaning cloths and tea towels from the kitchen, which should be changed regularly anyway.
For normally soiled bed linen, however, lower temperatures are often sufficient.
People who are allergic to mites should always wash their bed sheets and covers at 60°.
Dry washcloths thoroughly before putting them in the laundry
To ensure that as few germs as possible multiply on wet washcloths, the textiles should always dry thoroughly before they end up in the laundry basket.
The same applies after washing in the washing machine: only when the washcloths are completely dry should they be put in the bathroom cupboard.
Otherwise, bad smells will begin to form.
Even freshly washed towels can smell – but the reasons for this can also lie elsewhere.