Be honest: How often do you grab a fresh towel after showering? According to microbiologist Charles Gerba, you should swap it out more frequently than most people realize to stay truly clean.
After a refreshing shower, you might assume your skin is pristine and your towel stays bacteria-free. In reality, towels trap far more bacteria and microorganisms than you'd expect—including ones that spread easily. Regularly replacing your towel with a clean one is essential for good hygiene.
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Microbiologist Charles Gerba shares: “According to our studies, you should change a face and bath towel for a clean one every three days.” His research a few years ago found that after three days, about 80 percent of towels harbored bacteria from feces.
These bacteria thrive in damp towels. Gerba also warns about airborne bacteria dispersed in the bathroom when flushing the toilet.
The expert stresses washing towels in hot water, as bacteria easily survive cold cycles. If adding to the laundry basket, ensure the towel is fully dry first to halt bacterial growth.
For those with sensitive skin or acne, Gerba recommends changing your towel after every use.
