Save water sign label on hotel encourage guest reuse bath towel
Laundry is piling up, you already have a full hamper, and you wonder “Can I use this towel again, or does it need to be washed now?”
Most people will wash their towel only when it seems like it needs it. Maybe it lost its fluff, has become matted down, or has an odor that is noticeable. This means they may reuse their towel three, four, and even five or more times before washing it. But is it safe and sanitary to reuse a towel this many times?
Contents
What’s Wrong with Reusing Your Towel?
Towels, by their nature, are meant to get wet and then dry out again. However, just like any other wet thing , a wet towel can be a breeding ground for all sorts of bacteria, mold, mildew, and fungus.
There are things you can do to limit the growth of bacteria, such as hanging your towel up to dry instead of leaving it on the floor, but, eventually, the nasty little microbes will take up residence on your once clean towel. If the bathroom is especially cramped, poorly ventilated, or in a naturally humid climate, the bacteria growth can set in even faster.
Are Wet Towel Microbes Dangerous?
The microbes that slowly grow on towels aren’t necessarily dangerous, but they may make your towels smell unpleasant and dry more slowly. It’s also possible that people with allergies or delicate skin could have a reaction caused by reusing the same towel over and over again.
How to Clean Towels that are Getting Funky
To get rid of the lingering funk, the towels may need to be washed with vinegar or bleach solutions. Such solutions are caustic and can shorten the lifespan of a towel by damaging the fabric and loosening threads.
Increase Uses Between Washes Without the Funk
There are several things you can do to increase the number of uses between washes:
- Hang your towel up somewhere well ventilated
- Put your towel into the drier for a few minutes after use.
- Use a microbe-resitant towel
How can Silver Help Keep Towels Clean Longer?
One of the easiest ways to keep towels cleaner between washes is to use a towel that avoids growing microbes altogether. Using an antibacterial silver bath towel can avoid many of the common problems associated with reusing a regular towel.
Silver is Naturally Antibacterial
Silver has been used for centuries by people to treat infections, clean surfaces, and inhibit the growth of harmful bacteria.These antibacterial properties are highly prized in the modern medical field and silver is commonly found in products like bandages, sutures, and disinfectants.
Silver is Well-Suited to Bath Towels
The antimicrobial nature of silver makes it a great candidate for use in bath towels. The fungus, mold, and mildew that can grow on a towel after being reused are not an issue for silver towels.
This also means that the towel won’t develop the trademark musty smell after reuse, and that the towel will be cleaner and easier on the body for people with severe allergies and delicate skin.
Silver Increases the Lifespan of Your Towels
Because silver infused towels can be reused more often than regular towels they will need to be laundered less. Like any other fabric, when a towel is washed it slowly starts to break down over time.
Laundering your towels less often will increase their lifespan and help your family save on water and power. A silver infused towel should still be washed as it slowly accumulates dust, dead skin, and grime, but it needs to be washed much less often than a normal towel.
Is Reusing a Normal Towel Multiple Times a Bad Thing?
Reusing a towel isn’t necessarily bad, but it can have unforeseen consequences. Bacteria, mold, mildew, and fungus can begin to grow which cause unwanted odors and shorten the lifetime of your towel. One solution is to use a towel infused with naturally antibacterial silver that can be reused more often in between washes.
