Even then, it's not guaranteed that using the same washcloth for a really long time will do anything bad to you. With that said, if you want to avoid as much bacteria, fungi, and mold growth as possible, it's best to change your washcloth daily, Dr. Vij and Dr. Tierno say.
For starters, washcloths should only be used one time before being washed again. Full-sized body towels have some more leeway (since they don't become as wet) of about three or four uses. Towels should be hung to dry, and then placed in the washer. If this is not done, bacteria will thrive on the cloths.
You should wash your towels and washcloths after every 3-5 uses, although some experts say your washcloth should only be used once before washing. When it comes to replacing your bath towels and washcloths, there's no hard and fast rule.
"A good thing to remember is to replace bathroom towels every two to five years and kitchen towels and washcloths every year or every two years, depending on their quality," explains Wischnia.
The Cleaning Institute recommends washing bath towels after three uses. If you shower every day, that means laundry almost twice a week. Regular laundry is sufficient to clean towels and remove any germs that are starting to accumulate.
Tierno recommend washing bath towels every two or three days. Hold out longer than that, and all those microorganisms will make your towel grungy. “You may not get sick after using a towel for two weeks, but that's not the point,” says Dr.
Towels are often damp, warm and absorbent and so they become a perfect environment for bacteria to grow. Every time you use a towel, your natural skin bacteria is transferred onto its surface, experts say. Most of the times, we leave towels in dark bathrooms where they could be exposed to disease-causing bacteria.
With that said, if you want to avoid as much bacteria, fungi, and mold growth as possible, it's best to change your washcloth daily, Dr. Vij and Dr. Tierno say.
Ultimately, though, when a towel's threads begin to pull—or you notice a lingering odor, despite a careful wash—it's time to toss it; you can expect body and hand towels to last between two to five years depending on their quality. Wash cloths, on the other hand, should be replaced every one or two years, notes Winch.
Just fill a pot with water, bring it to a rolling boil, add the rags to the water, and keep them in the boiling water for about 15 minutes. This will kill off anything nasty that's living inside the towels.
As a general rule, launder your bath towel (or swap in a clean one) at least once a week and your washcloth a couple times a week. Wash towels more frequently if you're sick to avoid reinfection.
In fact, dermatologists recommend showering in water that's lukewarm or slightly warm. Do a quick rinse to wet your skin before applying any soap. Using a loofah, washcloth, or just your hands, apply bar soap or bodywash to your body. Start at your neck and shoulders, and work your way down the length of your body.
It's a long-standing debate: Should you use a washcloth, loofah, or just your hands to clean your body? This is a matter of personal preference, but microorganisms can grow on washcloths and loofahs if the materials don't dry completely.
This is why it's important to not only have a separate towel set aside for drying your face, but to make sure that it stays super clean, meaning you should wash it or replace it with a fresh one every couple of days. If you're prone to breakouts, you might want to get a fresh face towel even more frequently.
A washcloth is the best natural manual exfoliator, promoting smoother & healthier skin. Skin no longer feels flaky & rough as the excess dirt, oils & odour-causing bacteria will be lifted up & washed away properly with a washcloth. Eco-friendly tip - skip the bath gel scrubs that contain microbeads.
That smell is caused by a buildup of body oils and soap, which may not be completely removed if you launder your washcloths in cold or warm water.
Because of the damp, hot environment they live in, washcloths are prime breeding grounds for bacteria and mold, says Dr. King. "When used, germs [on a dirty washcloth] are then spread or reintroduced to the skin, which can cause irritation and even infection.
The verdict: We recommend skipping the washcloth for face cleansing. The risk of spreading acne-causing bacteria and clogging pores with debris is high, and dry areas can form from daily friction. If you love using your washcloth for showers, then Dr. Schlessinger recommends reserving it for use on the body.
Washcloths are perfect for dusting the surfaces around your house once they're too ratty to use for washing up. Old hand towels make terrific cleaning rags, and you can use them for cleaning everything from the car to the patio furniture.
Wash towels in hot water and one cup vinegar. Don't add any detergent. Wash the towels a second time (without drying them) in hot water and one cup baking soda. Dry your towels but avoid fabric softener, which builds up on towels and reduces softness.
That said, anyone who reuses their towels could possibly get folliculitis, which looks similar to acne, says Amy Kassouf, M.D., a board-certified dermatologist at Cleveland Clinic. This condition occurs when you develop a bacterial infection in a hair follicle, according to the Mayo Clinic.
coli, Salmonella and Staphylococcus aureus can survive and persist for up to 16 days on a kitchen sponge and up to 13 days on microfiber towels.
Household germs
coli. Improper laundering can also spread these germs to other items – including our bed sheets. Even diseases like gonorrhoea can be transmitted through contaminated towels or bedding. Different microbial species will survive on fabrics for different periods of time.
Dr. James says any time there's an increased presence of moisture (like when you're not fully dry after a shower) can create a potential breeding ground that's favorable to yeast.
Poor hygiene or infrequent showers can cause a buildup of dead skin cells, dirt, and sweat on your skin. This can trigger acne, and possibly exacerbate conditions like psoriasis, dermatitis, and eczema. Showering too little can also trigger an imbalance of good and bad bacteria on your skin.