Determining precisely how frequently certain laundry items need washing can be tricky, with many households having their own guidelines and preferences. However, while a towel may appear clean, there are occasions when it still requires washing – and how often can depend on the type of towel being used.
According to Cardiff Perfections Launderette, there are guidelines which affect exactly how regularly towels should be put through the wash. It said: “A freshly used towel feels clean, but in the warm and damp conditions of most bathrooms it quickly becomes a welcoming environment for bacteria. Consumer hygiene guidance consistently recommends washing bath towels after every three to four uses.”
The launderette said the guidelines for hand towels might also come as a surprise, reports Wales Online. It advised: “Hand towels need more attention than most people give them.
“They are touched by multiple people, often when hands are not fully clean, and dry slowly in busy bathrooms. Washing them every two to three days is a sensible minimum, with more frequent changes during winter cold and flu season or whenever anyone in the household is unwell. Face cloths and flannels should be washed after every use.”
The company also offered another suggestion for washing towels which could help save money while maintaining their fluffiness for longer. It said: “Skip the fabric softener for towels.
“Fabric softener leaves a coating on fibres that reduces absorbency over time. Wash towels at 40 to 60 degrees without softener and let them dry fully before folding. This keeps them genuinely absorbent and fluffy for longer.”
“Wash too infrequently and you create conditions that trigger allergies, skin irritation and mildew. Wash too often without proper care and you shorten the life of good linen.”
It advised you should wash:
- Pillowcases: 52 times a year – more often for sensitive of acne-prone skin
- Sheets: 26+ times a year – weekly if you sweat heavily or share with pets
- Pillow inserts: Twice a year – every season for allergy or asthma sufferers
- Duvets: Twice a year – before and after storage; professional wash for bulky sizes
- Bath towels: Every three to four uses – more often in damp bathrooms or warm weather
- Hand towels: every two to three days – more often during illness or if shared
When a home machine is not the answer
Cardiff Perfections said: “Many Cardiff households run into the same practical problem: the duvet or large set of bedding simply does not fit properly into a standard domestic drum. Squeezing an oversized item into too small a machine means detergent cannot circulate evenly, rinsing is incomplete, and the fill or batting does not dry uniformly, creating conditions for mildew.
“A laundry subscription is a practical answer for households that want fresh bedding without the effort. Regular collections keep pillowcases, sheets and towels on rotation, while heavier items like duvets and pillow inserts are handled on commercial machines built for the job.”
This story originally appeared on Express.co.uk
