When it comes to everyday items that come into direct contact with humans, besides clothes, the towel is definitely something we can’t ignore. On average, a person uses a towel once a day. In hot weather or for people who engage in high-intensity activities, the frequency can be higher, up to 2-3 times a day.
Despite frequent use, many users still don’t pay attention to the hygiene of this item. Elizabath Scott, Professor, Honorary Doctor at Simmons University, Boston, said: “The nature of using a towel in humans is that we have close contact with them on all parts of the body, from head to toe in the literal sense.”
Used daily but many people are negligent about washing towels (Illustrative image)
Because of this, in that seemingly harmless towel, there is a large amount of bacteria that humans can’t imagine. This means that we need to pay more attention to the hygiene of this item, especially the frequency of washing them.
How often should you wash a towel?
Serving to wipe and dry the human body, towels are usually made of thick cotton structures that serve to absorb water quickly and effectively. This makes them take longer to dry when washed compared to other types of clothing. Therefore, many users do not want to wash towels too often because it is “time-consuming and tiring”. Some families do not clean their towels for weeks.
According to experts, this is a truly erroneous and potentially dangerous habit. WireCutter, a page of the NY Times, wrote that towels can accumulate dead skin cells, bacteria from sweat, human body and will remain there if not cleaned. Everyday Health also said that dirt in towels poses a risk of causing skin diseases, red eyes, fungi for humans, or smelling bad.
Towels not washed for a long time can harbor a large amount of bacteria and have an unpleasant odor (Illustrative image)
Therefore, it is best to wash towels regularly. Kelly Reynolds, professor, Ph.D. at Zuckerman Public Health University, Tucson, USA said that the best time to wash towels is after each use. However, users can extend this time to 2 or 3 days. But make sure to hang the towel to dry after each use.
In general, the most important principle in removing and minimizing bacteria on towels is to dry them. Drying will help to partially destroy hidden bacteria, or at least prevent them from growing bigger and stronger.
If you can’t wash them immediately, make sure to fully dry the towel after use (Illustrative image)
If you can’t wash the towel immediately, you should hang it under sunlight or put it in the dryer. However, washing is still the most important. Regular hygiene not only helps keep the towel clean and protects the user’s health, but also maintains the softness and absorbency of the towel.
How to wash towels properly?
When washing towels, users should consider using hot water combined with detergent, then dry the towel at a high temperature. Dr. Reynolds said: “This is the most effective cleaning method for towels, maximizing the destruction of bacteria and molds inside towels.” If the towel has a mildew smell, additional steps should be taken to deodorize it with vinegar or specialized cleaning agents.
In addition, washing towels in the washing machine with a separate cycle, separate from regular clothes or other types of garments, is also a good idea. It also helps minimize the chance of towels getting linty or torn when accidentally coming into contact with metal parts such as zipper fasteners of other garments.
It is best to wash towels separately, separate from regular clothes (Illustrative image)
Many users are concerned that washing towels too frequently can cause them to wear out and deteriorate quickly. Explaining this issue, the Better Homes & Gardens website offers advice that users should consider buying towels with a high cotton percentage to maintain maximum softness. These towels can withstand more washing cycles without losing their absorbency.
According to Phụ Nữ Số
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