Bath towels & wash cloths get used once. Hand towels get used several times during the day, but a fresh one is pulled out every morning. I only wash one load of towels every six days, so I don't feel too guilty about it.
Member POLL - Towels
- Thread starter revvinkevin
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Richie, I had no idea you were the person Kevin was referring to having a conversation. Buit I was wondering if/when ou were going to chime in on this because I remember your comment(s) to me about Gary & his towel habbits lol. As for me, it absolutely no more than use a towel and wash cloth twice after a shower. During this past winter, I tried just using once and it got to be a little too much at times. Kitchen towels get changed after or during a major meal preparation if not each time I unload the dishwasher so I have a clean towel to wipe off water droplets. Since it's just me, my large hand towels in my bath get changed once a week, occassionally slightly more often. Towels are washed in 120-130 degree water (hot) alwayws, regardless of how dark or light the color is. I use Snuggle fabric softener because it doesn't seem to make towels as non-absorbant as Downey does.
And since I prefer men who are far more follically blessed on their bodies than me (can we say a forrest?), I'd wanna change their towel after every shower or bath, but that's very rare experience around my house :-( sniffle sniffle.
mistereric
Well-known member
Weekly or...
... more often if my nose says so. I don't worry about the butt vs face thing, as they are both washed at the same time and are connected by 3 or so feet of me.
Hand towels, washcloths, kitchen towels all average a week and go into the weekend wash.
... more often if my nose says so. I don't worry about the butt vs face thing, as they are both washed at the same time and are connected by 3 or so feet of me.
Hand towels, washcloths, kitchen towels all average a week and go into the weekend wash.
douglasdc6
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I use my towels for 3 to 4 days then they become floor towels for stepping out of the shower for 3 to 4 days then they are ready for the hamper .
This is my opinion only - I just don`t like to place un necessary wear & tear on my machines - Laundry goes into my machines when it needs cleaning.
This is my opinion only - I just don`t like to place un necessary wear & tear on my machines - Laundry goes into my machines when it needs cleaning.
scott55405
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I used to do every time, but when I went back to coin op laundry I now do twice a week, although wash cloths are never reused. I only buy white or buff towels as I will not wash them or sheets in anything but hot water, and I buy the cheap wash cloths at Target except for some with guest sets and throw them when they get worn.
whitekingd
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I use two bath towels per week, and two hand towels per week. When line drying, if it is a hot day, I will fold the towels before hanging on the line, and take them down when "damp dry" and put them on the towel rack. They don't get "scratchy" that way. My K-Mart Martha Stewart towels hold up excellent!
We use bath towels a couple of times, Kitchen towels changed after every cooking project. Kitchen towels IMHO are much more "bacteria prone". I am thinking of going towel shopping and going all white. I just like a splash of LCB/ SA8, no softner.
Depends
Bath Towels -
Winter - once per week due to drying quickly from a lot of dry heat.
Summer - every 2 to 3 days due to increased use 2 - 3 times per day rather than once and never completely drying between.
Hand towels - 1 - 2 days of use.
Kitchen towels - get changed frequently - I won't dry dishes with anything but a clean towel from the cupboard. I am regularly harashed by the amount of kitchen towels I own and the amount of I go through when cooking. Usually 2 to 3 full loads a week.
Washing bath and hand towels = Very hot water with Tide, Oxy, Calgon, Borax. Then first rinse(very warm) in bleach and Calgon followed by a second warm rinse with vinegar, then a fresh water rinse or two, finally softener rinse.
Kitchen towels get much the same kind of wash, but never finished with softner...
Bath Towels -
Winter - once per week due to drying quickly from a lot of dry heat.
Summer - every 2 to 3 days due to increased use 2 - 3 times per day rather than once and never completely drying between.
Hand towels - 1 - 2 days of use.
Kitchen towels - get changed frequently - I won't dry dishes with anything but a clean towel from the cupboard. I am regularly harashed by the amount of kitchen towels I own and the amount of I go through when cooking. Usually 2 to 3 full loads a week.
Washing bath and hand towels = Very hot water with Tide, Oxy, Calgon, Borax. Then first rinse(very warm) in bleach and Calgon followed by a second warm rinse with vinegar, then a fresh water rinse or two, finally softener rinse.
Kitchen towels get much the same kind of wash, but never finished with softner...
We have different towels for each of the bathrooms. In my bathroom, I have white and they get the "Whitest Whites" cycle in the Calypso with bleach and no fabric softner and the extended spin option. The other bathrooms towels are colored and they get the "Normal" cycle on Warm/Cold with the extra rinse and extended spin options.
toggleswitch2
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Twice a week, or more as needed. This applies also to pillow cases.
Apparently the olive oil I consume is pushed out of my pores! *LOL*
My towels went sour when I was a "cold only" abuser. Now that I use warm water, never a problem.
I use only cheapy watery softener to kill suds in my front- loader, and only in the first rinse to be rid of the chemicals by the time the cycle/programme has been completed.
To me, the waxy softeners cause too many stink, mold and absorbency issues and cause more problems than they attempt to solve.
Apparently the olive oil I consume is pushed out of my pores! *LOL*
My towels went sour when I was a "cold only" abuser. Now that I use warm water, never a problem.
I use only cheapy watery softener to kill suds in my front- loader, and only in the first rinse to be rid of the chemicals by the time the cycle/programme has been completed.
To me, the waxy softeners cause too many stink, mold and absorbency issues and cause more problems than they attempt to solve.
mrb627
Well-known member
Fresh Towel
I get a fresh towel every shower. I'm told I live my life as if I was staying at a fine resort. Pampered to the fullest
I get a fresh towel every shower. I'm told I live my life as if I was staying at a fine resort. Pampered to the fullest
rayjay
Well-known member
alr2903......Walmart carries a kitchen towel and dish cloth made my the Clorox Company, and it is made to be bleached. They come in a white with tan or blue stripes. These are really nice towels, hold up to bleaching and do not fade. Give them a try.
whirlcool
Well-known member
I use towels for two days, and Karen uses a clean towel each time she bathes.
Face cloths are washed after one use, hand towels not used for bathing are usually used for 4-5 days.
I wash our towels in hot water with a warm extra rinse. In the first rinse I sometimes put in a few drops of fabric softener, not to soften the towels but to give them a nice scent. Then they are dried in the dryer on Gentle, very dry setting. They seem to come out softer this way. If some of them are still damp, I restart the dryer on Permanent Press, Regular Dry. This does the final drying on those very heavy towels we have, but not all are like that.
Face cloths are washed after one use, hand towels not used for bathing are usually used for 4-5 days.
I wash our towels in hot water with a warm extra rinse. In the first rinse I sometimes put in a few drops of fabric softener, not to soften the towels but to give them a nice scent. Then they are dried in the dryer on Gentle, very dry setting. They seem to come out softer this way. If some of them are still damp, I restart the dryer on Permanent Press, Regular Dry. This does the final drying on those very heavy towels we have, but not all are like that.
I let them go for a week. I'm a careful "re-hanger"...Brian is less so but isn't picky. We've been on a white towel binge right now. Hot water, 15 minutes in the Shredmore with Foca. Double rinse, softener about 1/2 the time.
My favorite white towels are a set I got from K-Mart several years ago...Martha Stewart white with a rainbow border. Really look nice and have kept their looks/shape/color nicely.
I worked for a couple years 20 years ago in a upper-end department store...it's amazing how prices on linens have come down since then
My favorite white towels are a set I got from K-Mart several years ago...Martha Stewart white with a rainbow border. Really look nice and have kept their looks/shape/color nicely.
I worked for a couple years 20 years ago in a upper-end department store...it's amazing how prices on linens have come down since then
ptcruiser51
Well-known member
Two uses
max for bath towels. Only once if I'm having a psoriasis flare. Dry on the shower rod before going into the hamper. I use only white towels, wash on hot with white sheets, 1/2 cup of white vinegar in the Downy ball - ixnay on the fabric softener, hate scents in laundry. Dish towels one use, but I usually air-dry dishes in the rack. Wash cloths one use. I only wash hand towels if I've had guests - I usually use the aforementioned bath towel hanging next to sink!
max for bath towels. Only once if I'm having a psoriasis flare. Dry on the shower rod before going into the hamper. I use only white towels, wash on hot with white sheets, 1/2 cup of white vinegar in the Downy ball - ixnay on the fabric softener, hate scents in laundry. Dish towels one use, but I usually air-dry dishes in the rack. Wash cloths one use. I only wash hand towels if I've had guests - I usually use the aforementioned bath towel hanging next to sink!
Bath towels get changed out twice a week. They're hung so they dry between showers to avoid mildew.
They get washed in the Maytag A606 once a week in warm with a half a dose of detergent and a ridiculously small amount of liquid fabric softner.
Ken D.
They get washed in the Maytag A606 once a week in warm with a half a dose of detergent and a ridiculously small amount of liquid fabric softner.
Ken D.
my 2 cents .....
I think that normally a towel after just one usage is not dirty, unless it has been used @ a gym or swimming pool or in particular circumstances, i.e. when the user is loosing some skin after a sunburn or has some wounds
It's more "green" to wash towels in hot and boiling water just when they really require it than keep on freshening up them in warm water after each usage
I change towels/bathgowns once a week in winter and twice in summer (usually 2 showers per day @ least). Kitchen towels can last even a week as dishes are done in the DW.
I wash white/kitchen towels on cottons @ 60°C/140°F with oxybleach if the load contains socks or briefs (elastics can't stand higher temps) otherwise @ 75°C or boilwash 95°C
Dark (even black) towels are washed @ 60°C on perma press with some desenfectant. This way they don't smell even after a week of usage.
@ Matt and all line-users : high spin speeds help a lot to reduce the "sandpaper" effect.
For the same reason I do not use powdered detergent to wash towelling (actually I use it for tablecloths/white sheets and rags/mops)
I think that normally a towel after just one usage is not dirty, unless it has been used @ a gym or swimming pool or in particular circumstances, i.e. when the user is loosing some skin after a sunburn or has some wounds
It's more "green" to wash towels in hot and boiling water just when they really require it than keep on freshening up them in warm water after each usage
I change towels/bathgowns once a week in winter and twice in summer (usually 2 showers per day @ least). Kitchen towels can last even a week as dishes are done in the DW.
I wash white/kitchen towels on cottons @ 60°C/140°F with oxybleach if the load contains socks or briefs (elastics can't stand higher temps) otherwise @ 75°C or boilwash 95°C
Dark (even black) towels are washed @ 60°C on perma press with some desenfectant. This way they don't smell even after a week of usage.
@ Matt and all line-users : high spin speeds help a lot to reduce the "sandpaper" effect.
For the same reason I do not use powdered detergent to wash towelling (actually I use it for tablecloths/white sheets and rags/mops)
dirtybuck
Well-known member
4-5 Day Usage
I tote everything to the laundromat every two weeks, so it's not uncommon to have 2-3 towels to wash. Since they're colored, they generally get tossed in with the jeans or sheets. I've read the comments that some on here have made concering the use of softener, so I stopped using it about 3 months ago...but there are times when I do want a bit of "freshness" to some loads, so I use it VERY sparingly.
I'm seriously considering using the facilities here at the complex after I get my free wash at the laundromat (pay for 12, get one free). It'll be the same amount money wise and I'll also save a bit on gas. Also, the water in the apt. laundry room is MUCH hotter than at the laundromat.
I tote everything to the laundromat every two weeks, so it's not uncommon to have 2-3 towels to wash. Since they're colored, they generally get tossed in with the jeans or sheets. I've read the comments that some on here have made concering the use of softener, so I stopped using it about 3 months ago...but there are times when I do want a bit of "freshness" to some loads, so I use it VERY sparingly.
I'm seriously considering using the facilities here at the complex after I get my free wash at the laundromat (pay for 12, get one free). It'll be the same amount money wise and I'll also save a bit on gas. Also, the water in the apt. laundry room is MUCH hotter than at the laundromat.
I change out our bath towels after 3 or 4 days. We shower in the morning, and once in a while twice if in the yard or messy from something else.
Hand towels once a week, wash towels as needed, same as for the kitchen towels.
I no longer use fabric softner, and find that the towels feels better and don't have the "stink" on it as well.
Hand towels once a week, wash towels as needed, same as for the kitchen towels.
I no longer use fabric softner, and find that the towels feels better and don't have the "stink" on it as well.
spankomatic
Well-known member
Staph Infection....I wonder
When does Staph bacteria start living in towels and how long does it live there? I know you can get a Staph infection by sharing towels which means the bacteria can live in the towel. I'm wondering what is really growing in those wet towels hanging on the towel rack....
Jim
When does Staph bacteria start living in towels and how long does it live there? I know you can get a Staph infection by sharing towels which means the bacteria can live in the towel. I'm wondering what is really growing in those wet towels hanging on the towel rack....
Jim
revvinkevin
Well-known member
Off topic...........
Overcrowded homes, heat and lack of personal hygiene tend to aggravate staph infections.
The Spread Of Staph
Even the cleanest person can get a staph infection. Staph can rub off the skin of an infected person and onto the skin of another person when they have prolonged skin to skin contact. Staph from an infected person can also get onto a commonly shared item or surface and then get onto the skin of the person who touches it next. Examples of commonly shared items are towels, benches in saunas or hot tubs and athletic equipment - in other words, anything that could have touched the skin of a staph infected person can carry the bacteria to the skin of another person.
Preventing Staph Infections
Clean your hands and skin often. Avoid prolonged skin-to-skin contact with anyone you suspect could have a staph skin infection. Do not share personal items (e.g. razors, towels, etc.) with other persons and keep your towels and clothes clean. Clean items that you share with other people (e.g. towels, razors, athletic equipment) before you use them.
Overcrowded homes, heat and lack of personal hygiene tend to aggravate staph infections.
The Spread Of Staph
Even the cleanest person can get a staph infection. Staph can rub off the skin of an infected person and onto the skin of another person when they have prolonged skin to skin contact. Staph from an infected person can also get onto a commonly shared item or surface and then get onto the skin of the person who touches it next. Examples of commonly shared items are towels, benches in saunas or hot tubs and athletic equipment - in other words, anything that could have touched the skin of a staph infected person can carry the bacteria to the skin of another person.
Preventing Staph Infections
Clean your hands and skin often. Avoid prolonged skin-to-skin contact with anyone you suspect could have a staph skin infection. Do not share personal items (e.g. razors, towels, etc.) with other persons and keep your towels and clothes clean. Clean items that you share with other people (e.g. towels, razors, athletic equipment) before you use them.
revvinkevin
Well-known member
Were you referring to me, Kev? Haha
No Richie I was not. I forgot we had that conversation! LOL
No Richie I was not. I forgot we had that conversation! LOL
Clean towels every shower. Everyday after my shower I use the towel to wipe the dogs eyes, teeth and ears. Pretty dirty after that. Wife uses a clean towel every day. They all get washed in the Neptune on hot wash, 4 rinses, small amount of fabrice softener then it goes into the 4th rinse which removes a lot of the softner. All towels get hung outside. Kitchen towels every day get changed. Handtowels in the bathroom usually once a week. I guess I have a collection of bath towels, last count was over 140. About 80% white and the rest blue to match one of the bathrooms. So even with a month of rain still have plenty of towels to use. When the sun comes out I will do a load a day till caught up. I used Tide powder with bleach about 1/4 - 1/3 cup a dash of clorox and a dash of april fresh downy. I wash ten at a time cause that is what fits on the line and ten towels folded fit on the shelf in the closet.
Jon
Jon
vintagesearch
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- Nov 7, 2006
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me: granted that the towel isnt soiled i change and put a new one every thursday night. i shower 2-3 times a day, morning before work i shower, i dry my towel on a drawer i pull out slightly and it dries when i return from work i fold it and put it on the bed. then before bedtime i shower and the towel is dry.
I wash the all the color towels in cold water. one load of darks mixed with color washcloths and colored boxers. then a light colored load same cold water etc. then a white load mixed with socks and white washcloths using hot water overnight soak and extra rinse! everything is hang dried and i use fabric softener according to the directions on package
thats it. ohh and if its a new towel its washed before use!
they all smell lovely and are soft except for one that is always stiff even when i machine dried it that one bastard towel LOL
I wash the all the color towels in cold water. one load of darks mixed with color washcloths and colored boxers. then a light colored load same cold water etc. then a white load mixed with socks and white washcloths using hot water overnight soak and extra rinse! everything is hang dried and i use fabric softener according to the directions on package
thats it. ohh and if its a new towel its washed before use!
they all smell lovely and are soft except for one that is always stiff even when i machine dried it that one bastard towel LOL
seamusuk
Well-known member
Every 2-3 days here....
All my towels are white or light beige so 60 deg with a oxy bleach containing powder it is.
The bathmat/pedestal mat are light blue but dont run so go in with them.
No softener but will use 2 in one powder(LOVE Orange and Pomegranate Bold- Miele Ultrawhite is a regular at the mo as well).
Also always use the dryer- I dont like sandpaper towels and in my opinion its a must if you dont use softener.
Seamus
Oh and kitchen towels/teatowels every couple of days !
All my towels are white or light beige so 60 deg with a oxy bleach containing powder it is
.The bathmat/pedestal mat are light blue but dont run so go in with them.
No softener but will use 2 in one powder(LOVE Orange and Pomegranate Bold- Miele Ultrawhite is a regular at the mo as well).
Also always use the dryer- I dont like sandpaper towels and in my opinion its a must if you dont use softener
.Seamus
Oh and kitchen towels/teatowels every couple of days !
xraytech
Well-known member
For me, I change bath towels after each shower, so if I were to shower 3 times in a day, I would use 3 towels, wash cloths get changed after 1 use also. Hand towels get used for 2-3 days.
For the bathroom, I will only buy the JCPenney towel, and they are all in Antique Gold. I wash my bathroom towels in hot water with a warm rinse and I use 1.5 scoops of detergent, and 1 cup of Borax to help remove any odors.
For dish towels they get changed when they get damp, depending on how much I am doing in the kitchen, for days I am working they last 2-3 days because of very little use, but when I am off I do more in the kitchen and usually go through 2-3 a day. Tea towels get changed daily because there are things I use every day like my percolator, and my aluminum tumblers that must be hand washed, and I also tend to wipe everything down in the Kitchen with it even if I dont use the kitchen.
Kitchen towels all have variety of plaid and checkerboard prints, and some have different country prints on them. They get washed seperate from other towels with the pot holders and are washed in hot wash/warm rinse with 1 scoop of detergent, and 1 cup of borax and about 1/3 cup of Clorox.
I do not use fabric softner on towels, or anything else for that matter, dont like overly soft fabrics or the nasty smell of fabric softner
For the bathroom, I will only buy the JCPenney towel, and they are all in Antique Gold. I wash my bathroom towels in hot water with a warm rinse and I use 1.5 scoops of detergent, and 1 cup of Borax to help remove any odors.
For dish towels they get changed when they get damp, depending on how much I am doing in the kitchen, for days I am working they last 2-3 days because of very little use, but when I am off I do more in the kitchen and usually go through 2-3 a day. Tea towels get changed daily because there are things I use every day like my percolator, and my aluminum tumblers that must be hand washed, and I also tend to wipe everything down in the Kitchen with it even if I dont use the kitchen.
Kitchen towels all have variety of plaid and checkerboard prints, and some have different country prints on them. They get washed seperate from other towels with the pot holders and are washed in hot wash/warm rinse with 1 scoop of detergent, and 1 cup of borax and about 1/3 cup of Clorox.
I do not use fabric softner on towels, or anything else for that matter, dont like overly soft fabrics or the nasty smell of fabric softner
I use a bath towel three times generally. That is something we learned while living in Denver where water is a scarce commodity. My mother said "Why wash something as if it's dirty that has only absorbed clean water from a supposed clean body?"
Here in Charlotte, towels can get musty in the summer if used repeatedly and left to dry even on a towel rack. With my gym towel 5 or 6 days a week, I use that ONCE as I stand on it on the floor after drying myself first.
I don't use hand towels in the bathroom often, however I change the washcloth each time I change my towel, or even more often.
Here in Charlotte, towels can get musty in the summer if used repeatedly and left to dry even on a towel rack. With my gym towel 5 or 6 days a week, I use that ONCE as I stand on it on the floor after drying myself first.
I don't use hand towels in the bathroom often, however I change the washcloth each time I change my towel, or even more often.
mixguy
Well-known member
Towels
Towels here are white and add chlorine bleach every other wash. Always set the machine for a hot wash and usually an extended wash time on the heavy duty cycle. I usually add baking soda and borax to the wash water with the detergent too. A tablespoon of fabric softener is usually added in the dispenser. I am trying the second rinse option and no softener to see if I like them that way. The chlorine bleach is alternated with use of Amway's All-Fabric bleach added with the detergent. No set in stains seen here yet! and my towels don't show any wear yet. Towels are in the hamper after one use. I replaced all my towels about 5 yrs ago having watched an Oprah show about running a more efficient home, one suggestion was to have all white towels so that you do not have to worry about stains and fading and use chlorine bleach that removes most stains. Previous to this set of towels I was using towels that were 15 yrs old and finally needed to be retired, I was tired seing them and they were starting to become unsewn. The are now in my stache of car cleaning rags
Towels here are white and add chlorine bleach every other wash. Always set the machine for a hot wash and usually an extended wash time on the heavy duty cycle. I usually add baking soda and borax to the wash water with the detergent too. A tablespoon of fabric softener is usually added in the dispenser. I am trying the second rinse option and no softener to see if I like them that way. The chlorine bleach is alternated with use of Amway's All-Fabric bleach added with the detergent. No set in stains seen here yet! and my towels don't show any wear yet. Towels are in the hamper after one use. I replaced all my towels about 5 yrs ago having watched an Oprah show about running a more efficient home, one suggestion was to have all white towels so that you do not have to worry about stains and fading and use chlorine bleach that removes most stains. Previous to this set of towels I was using towels that were 15 yrs old and finally needed to be retired, I was tired seing them and they were starting to become unsewn. The are now in my stache of car cleaning rags
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