Bacteria and Mold Will Accumulate: Expert Weighs in on Bath Towel Use

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One expert was horrified after a poll indicated men and women wait weeks to wash their pjs.

Now, another expert is weighing in on how often your towels should visit the washing machine.

University of Arizona environmental health science professor Kelly A. Reynolds told BuzzFeed Life that towels used after a bath or shower could be used up to three times if they are hung to dry after each use.

Dead skin cells end up on the towel after each time it's used.

"Bacteria and mold will begin to accumulate, but growth will be slowed as the towel dries," she told BuzzFeed.

Wash cloths should be washed a lot more frequently. Reynolds says they are heavily soiled when they are used with dead skin cells and makeup. Because they are wet and not just damp like a bath towel, they take longer to dry meaning more bacteria and mold can grow on the surface.

She also suggests washing kitchen cloths in bleach after every use; food and other particles that end up on them mean a higher chance of germs and bacteria will grow.

Results that came out last month on a poll involving washing pajamas indicated the average man wears his for two weeks and the average woman for 17 days before washing. An expert says that can cause infections and even MRSA - and said they should be washed at least once per week.

**Read more on the pj poll by clicking here**

What do you do with your old bath towels?

we use them for rags when we dust in my house. =)

Where can I get good quality bath towels? That last long?

Take them from hotels :) I sort of mean that seriously. Hotels have the best towels. They get their towels in bulk, which you could too, but you would have to buy at least 50 at a time. But, find a towel supplier that does not sell in bulk.

How often do you wash your sheets and bath towels?

Well I use 3 towels...over the week n wash all of them at weekends, one bedsheet....wash at weekends

Mommy's that have used hooded bath towels for their little ones?

my son is 11 mo old and is starting to grow out of them or I would still use them I would like to find some larger ones

What type of bath towels that you use?

Cannon. 100% cotton from JC Penny. I find them to be a good quality towel. Wash your towels and dry in the dryer before use to cut down on the lint

Where is the best place to buy good quality bath towels?

Egyptian cotton, high thread count, Bed, Bath & Beyond. They cost but are worth it. My best advice to anyone is to have one set of really good sheets and towels rather than several sets of mediocre.

Ideas for transporting a cheesecake from one place to another....?

I would take the cheese cake in the spring form pan that you are baking it in. Is it possible to go to a local bakery and ask them if they will sell you a box? A local store might sell you a gift box, one the size for a set of bath towel might work. Just a few suggestions for you..hope one works out.

Washing and Drying new bath towels?

Too cheap !! Take them back. Buy some with longer threads.You get what you pay for lol sorry :)

How can I get my bath towels to smell good?

dry them outside

smelly bath towels...?

You shold use downy and use a different washer may-be at a store

How do I stop my bath towels from smelling of mildew?

do not hang them to dry after every use. sometimes you should just put them into the wash right after every use. if you just let them dry after you take a shower, all the water on them will stay on causeing the mildew smell.

After how many days do you change bath towels?

u r only wiping off clean water hang it so it will dry and use it 3-4 times