The humble towel, a daily essential for most, may harbor a hidden world of microbes. Recent research reveals that towels can quickly become contaminated with bacteria – not simply from dirt, but from our own skin and even the habitat – and retain those organisms even after washing. Experts are emphasizing the importance of regular towel hygiene, not just for personal well-being, but as a surprisingly effective measure in preventing the spread of illness and combating antibiotic resistance within households. Understanding proper towel care is a simple yet powerful step toward a healthier home environment.
Most people likely wipe their hands or face with a towel daily, but how clean is that towel, really? While many aim to change towels every few days, a 2020 study of 100 people revealed that one-third wash theirs only once a month. A separate survey in the United Kingdom found that 3% of participants admitted to changing their towels just once a year.
Understanding how frequently we should refresh our towels is important for maintaining good hygiene and preventing the spread of germs. Even if a towel doesn’t *look* dirty, it can quickly become a breeding ground for millions of microbes, and research shows towels easily become contaminated with bacteria from both our skin and our intestines.
Microbes Can Come From Clean Skin
Even after washing our hands or showering, bacteria remain on our bodies. When we dry off with a towel, those microbes transfer to the fabric. However, germs can also reach towels through other routes. Fungi and bacteria in the air can land on towels even while they’re hanging, and some bacteria can even survive the washing process.
In Japan, some households reuse water from showers for laundry. However, research from Tokushima University found that shower water contains a significant number of bacteria, which can then transfer to clothes during washing.
Drying Towels in the Bathroom? Think Again
For those who dry their towels in the bathroom, there’s a potentially unpleasant revelation: each flush of the toilet can aerosolize bodily waste and bacteria, contaminating nearby towels.
Over time, these microbes accumulate on towels, even affecting their appearance. Even with regular washing, bacteria can begin to form within the cotton fibers after two months of use, causing the towel to look faded.
The amount and type of bacteria present depend on household laundry habits, but a key question remains: How concerned should we be about the bacteria living on our towels?
Experts recommend separating towels for individuals experiencing diarrhea or vomiting. Photo: iStock
Elizabeth Scott, founder of the Simmons University Home and Hygiene Center in Boston, told BBC that while towel washing may seem trivial, it offers insight into how microbes spread within a home.
“Microbes don’t just naturally settle onto a towel. Everything on the towel that could potentially harm us likely came from a person,” Scott explained.
Our skin hosts thousands of bacterial species, most of which are beneficial. These bacteria protect us from harmful infections, break down chemicals we encounter daily, and play a vital role in a strong immune system.
Towels can harbor bacteria from our skin as well as from the environment. This includes pathogens like E. coli, which lives in the human gut, and Salmonella, which can cause diarrhea and food poisoning.
Some bacteria are considered “opportunistic,” meaning they are harmless unless they enter a vulnerable area like a cut, develop the ability to produce toxins, or infect someone with a weakened immune system.
Our skin acts as a natural barrier against infection. In short, bacteria transferred from a towel to our bodies shouldn’t be overly concerning. However, there is evidence that washing and drying can disrupt this skin barrier.
Viruses Can Also Spread Via Towels
A significant factor is that we often touch our faces – our mouths, eyes, and noses – with hands that may be contaminated with harmful microbes. This underscores the importance of paying extra attention to the towels we use to dry our hands. It’s also important to remember that kitchen towels and cleaning cloths can harbor pathogens from food.
“Pathogens like Salmonella, norovirus, and E. coli can be spread through towels,” Scott noted. Research also shows that the COVID-19 virus can survive on cotton surfaces for up to 24 hours.
Given that other viruses, like monkeypox, are also thought to spread through contact, health experts recommend avoiding sharing towels and tissues with individuals who are infected. Health officials have also found that the HPV virus, which causes warts and herpes, can be spread through towels. This is a primary reason why hospitals and public restrooms often use paper towels and hand dryers.
The longer a towel is used and remains wet, the more hospitable it becomes to microbial growth, increasing the risk of harmful microbes accumulating on the fabric.
Changing Towels is the Best Protection
Focusing on towel hygiene can also help address the growing global problem of “antibiotic-resistant bacteria.” Scott and her team believe that bacteria like MRSA can spread through contact with various surfaces.
Jean-Yves Maillard, a pharmaceutical microbiology researcher at Cardiff University, pointed out that regularly changing towels can reduce the risk of bacterial infections and decrease antibiotic use. He added:
“Hygiene at home is one of the best preventative measures, and prevention is the best medicine.”
Don’t Miss
So, how often should we change our towels? Scott recommends washing towels weekly, but emphasizes that this isn’t a rigid rule. She noted that this guideline becomes even more important when someone in the household is sick.
“If someone in the house has diarrhea and vomiting, towels should be separated and changed daily. This is what we call ‘targeted hygiene’ – intervening at the risk as soon as it arises.”
Scott recommends washing towels at a temperature between 40 and 60°C (104-140°F) and for a longer duration than other household linens. She also noted that detergents are effective at killing bacteria and viruses on towels. A study conducted in India found that using a detergent with disinfectant properties and drying towels in the sun were the most effective ways to prevent bacterial and fungal growth.
Scott likened home hygiene to vaccination, “All the small steps you take to protect yourself will also protect those around you. Towels are relatively small elements, but they can carry significant risks, and they are relatively easy to manage.”
sidal.utkucu@hurriyet.com.tr
