How often do you use a towel then wash it?

Question

I heard some people use theirs only once. What a waste of water and detergent. I, on the other hand, use a towel for 2-3 weeks. I don't stink, but is it unhealthy to use a towel more than once or twice.

Answer 1

Wow. Your sense of smell must not work very well. I bet that towel smells like a wet dog on day four, and reeks like low tide by week 2. I would ask someone "does this smell sour to you" and see what they say.



I round up all the towels 2 or 3 a week, sometime more often if I suspect anything icky has been going on or if anyone is the family is sick. Sick people get a new towel every day. All handtowels and washcloths are changed out daily.



I only use towels that will stand up to bleach and hot water, too. Anything that doesn't isn't in my house.



I have a family of 5 and do laundry every single day. Anyone that thinks washing a towel is a waste of water and detergent probably doesn't own their own washer/dryer or is used to living in filth. Sorry, that's just nasty.



You should read the book, "The secret life of germs" and then re-evaluate your views on cleanliness. I have a doctor of infectious diseases in my family, she's an M.D. with a PhD-- it's my mother. She would gag if I told her about your 2-3 weeks on a towel. Dear lordie if that's how you deal with towels, what's going on in your fridge?



Just so you know, every time you flush your toilet you are spraying a bit of what's in the bowl onto everything in the bathroom. Close the lid before you flush. For pete's sake clean that bathroom, too. Change your towels every 3 days max and wash them in bleach, good detergent with hot water.



Now I have to go scrub my skin with a wire brush and gasoline. Ew!!!!

Answer 2

A hand towel I wash once a week, unless it hasn't been used very often due to whatever reason(s). Bath towels I use 3 times before washing, as I feel more often leaves a greater chance of bacteria growing on the air drying towel.



Bed sheets I wash once every 10 days.

Answer 3

The bacteria from the dead skin that you towel off each time you bathe or shower can cause untold infections especially in warm damp areas like the armpits and groin so you should change your towel at the very least twice a week but preferably use a towel once and then wash it.

Answer 4

I change bath towels about 3x per week. I use a different towel for my face and hair. So per week I am washing 6-8 towels just for me. As for washcloths I use 2-3 a DAY!!

Answer 5

I use only hand towels to dry off after a shower.They are just as good as a large towel.But they are smaller and easier to replace.I use mine for 3 showers and then wash.Why wash a large towel?We can buy 4 hand for the price of 1 large.Easy to wash,dry and replace...

Answer 6

We use our towels for a week before putting them in the wash. We live in a pretty dry climate tho. I visited family down south once, where it's real humid and instead of drying out between uses the towel just got all musty smelling and stayed damp. Ick! We used towels just once while we were there.

Answer 7

I use it when it starts stinking or when it's time to do laundry. Usually after using a towel I hang it to dry and its fine the next day. Like you said , why waste water and detergent for something you can use more than once. It's not going to harm you. BUTTTT i would never use a towel after a week, thats just grose.

Answer 8

I use towels only once unless it's the towel to dry my face after washing, then I use it twice in one day.

Answer 9

It's not unhealthy to use a towel more than once or twice, but really, you should wash it at least once a week. Even if you don't smell your towel, I bet someone does. My old roommate would leave her wet bath towels for that long, and they smelled horrible, like mildew and rancid meat.

Answer 10

I use mine for about 3-4 uses and then get a new one. I use a wash cloth one time and then get a new one. Towels and wash clothes harbor bacteria ... hence you should wash them in HOT water.

Answer 11

I usually go about 3 showers with the same one...after all, its a clean towel, right?

Answer 12

I use mine as much as possible. If I hang it up after I use it, then it stays fresher longer.



Also opening the window in the bathroom, and turning on the vent helps, this takes the humidity out of the bathroom and the towels seem to last longer.

Answer 13

As long as you dry it out really well between baths...I see no reason why you cannot use one for at least a week....that's what I do......and as long as you are genuinely clean when using it...there is no reason why you should not be able to....

People who only use a towel once or twice must ; A: Have a lot of time on their hands..and..B: LOVE doing laundry..and C: Not have a life...!!! LOL!

Answer 14

I think it's a personal choice. I like to use mine anywhere from 1-3 times, but I change my washcloth more often. If you choose to use yours longer, make sure it completely dries so that mold and other bacteria doesn't grow.

Answer 15

I change my towels twice a week. No need to waste Earth's energy, but I don't want to be smelly and gross either.

Answer 16

i wash them after each use but that's just cause I'm fussy like that!!!



i know people that use them a few times (2-3) before washing them but i would never go a week or two without washing them!!!

Answer 17

i use it about 3-4 times before i wash it

Answer 18

to let you know use the same towel every other day to be clean. with a washcloth use it every two weeks

Answer 19

I use mine until it doesn't smell fresh, usually after about a week. I try not to wait until it actually smells. There is a point where if it starts to smell, you are basically drying yourself with bacteria. Yummy.



Once is definitely a big waste of water.

Answer 20

It all depends. SOmetimes I would reuse the towels.

Answer 21

I always use a different towel. I think its gross to reuse one, can you really keep track of what end you dry your rear with and the one you dry your face with. Yuck.

Answer 22

I clean mine once a week that way it's not wasteful and it doesn't stink. It's all about balance my friends.

Answer 23

About every 2-3 weeks for me.

Answer 24

i've certainly used it for at least a week, 3-4 days is probably best, however i do currently use them only once. just cause i don't really do laundry.

Answer 25

I use it until it's time to do laundry. My wife is a strict believer in using it only once, so I'm forced to hide mine somewhere where she won't confiscate it from me.

Answer 26

Once every three or four days is good.

Answer 27

i think you should use it a week at the most because it can start to grow bacteria since it is wet

Answer 28

Only once!!!!! Can't stand to use it twice!!!!

Answer 29

what the heck is wrong with you! i can't stand using a towel that has been used already! ewww! i feel like i am just putting dirt back on my body!

Answer 30

i always throw away my towels. paper towels don't last that long anyway

Answer 31

once