5 Signs You Need New Towels

We all have things in our home that we allow to stick around a little too long past their prime (maybe it's dishwashing sponges for some or a set of sheets for others). Towels are one of those items that are easy to be in denial about. If the absorbent little rectangles aren't threadbare, why should you replace them? For a few reasons actually. Towels don't work as well when they're too old, making you work doubly hard to dry off after a bath or wipe off the counters, and they can harbor a lot of bacteria.

Extending their life is possible, but it begins with good maintenance and care. Janet Wischnia, one of the owners of Thomaston Mills, founder of American Blossom Linens, and 40-year textile industry veteran knows a thing or two about this. She points out that there are several ways of lengthening the life of your towels. The set used in the bathroom needs washing every three to four days whereas kitchen towels need more frequent cleaning. When they do get washed, "make sure after each use that you hang them to dry and do not leave them bunched up or in a pile as they can get musty," says Wischnia.

Even after treating those towels with love, there always comes a time when replacement is the next best step. Here's exactly how to tell when it's time to toss the old ones.

Meet the Expert

• Janet Wischnia is one of the owners of Thomaston Mills, a textile manufacturer. She is also the co-owner of American Blossom Linens and has been in the textile industry for 40 years.
• Erin Banta, is a cofounder of Pepper, specializing in custom textiles.
• Kelly Zies is the marketing and public relations manager at Slowtide, a bed and bath company.

They're Too Scratchy

Scratchiness isn't just an uncomfortable fact of life for towels. A lack of softness is actually a clear indicator that they're too old. "In the bath, it's time for new towels if yours aren't fluffy," says Erin Banta, cofounder of Pepper. "Over time, towels can become scratchy when washed with too much detergent. Unfortunately, there's nothing to be done. Those towels are a goner! It's time to replace them with towels that feel soft and luxurious on your skin." She adds that it's best to invest in quality options and maybe watch how much detergent gets poured in.

They're No Longer Absorbent

Dripping wet dishes and an unsatisfactory dry-off after a shower means towels are rendered useless. When they're no longer able to serve their main purpose, there's really no point in keeping them around. "When towels get too old, they become ineffective," says Kelly Zies of Slowtide. "You'll find yourself running it over your body several times, it'll start to smell, [and] there are visual signs (tears, holds, fraying ends, etc)." She also adds that in terms of care, towels hung on a bar or hook tend to fare better than those folded up.

They're Ripping and Fraying

In the case of towels, a "distressed" look is a no-go. This is a more obvious sign, but any kind of damage to the material means it's time to buy a new one. "When you see the hems begin the come apart, the selvages (on the side of towels) fray, the threads begin to pull, they are no longer absorbent, or they have a lingering odor it is time to replace them," says Wischnia.

They're Starting to Smell—All the Time

It's one thing if towels need to be washed or if they've been sitting in the washing machine for a little too long. But when towels begin to smell regardless of how many times they're rinsed with detergent, it's time to toss them. They've either been damaged or are beginning to sop up more germs than moisture.

Be sure that they're left to properly dry in between showers or hand washing. Otherwise this can lead to a constant odor and their quick demise.

They've Been Around for a Few Years

General wear and tear over the years is enough to warrant a new set of towels. Review where the textiles have been used and base their replacement on their respective timelines. "Depending on how many towels you have and how often you rotate them and their quality, the replacement time may change," explains Wischnia. "A general rule would be to replace bathroom towels every two to five years and kitchen towels and washcloths every one to two years.”

So those slightly scraggly towels chilling in the back of your linen closet? It might be time to toss. Or at the very least, let them reincarnate. They may not be a fit for the bathroom or sink, but it might be a great replacement for the car wash rag or cleaning kit.

It's so easy to completely forget about washing your dish towels until they start smelling up your kitchen, but that might be a bit too long to wait before throwing them in the washing machine.

Unlike all the things that you’re washing too often, most people are probably not throwing their dish towels in the washing machine quite often enough. It’s easy to forget them, and after they’ve air-dried, they look ready for another use. But too often, we keep using them long after they’ve gotten dirty, and all we’re really doing is spreading bacteria and germs on everything they touch.

“Believe it or not, dish towels can be one of the dirtiest items in your home. From cleaning up spills to wiping off counter tops, they often get used more than they’re cleaned,” said Bailey Carson, head of cleaning at Handy. A study by the American Society of Microbiology showed that half of kitchen towels tested contained some sort of bacterial growth, such as E. coli or staph.

Because dish towels are so absorbent, they are the perfect home for bacteria, mildew, and even mold. Your damp, warm towel is also the ideal breeding ground for that bacteria. That smell you associate with your dish towels and washcloths? Yup. That’s mold and mildew. If your towels or cloths smell, it’s time for a wash in very hot water. If they come out of the dryer still smelling less than pleasant? It’s time to get a new set.

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But exactly how often DO you need to wash your dish towels to avoid spreading germs? That answer is: It depends. It depends on what exactly you’re using your dish towels for. Are they just for drying your hands after washing them, with maybe a quick use to mop up some spilled water or a food stain on the front of your cupboards?

In that case, Julie Finch-Scally, founder of The Duster Dollies, says that it’s all right to reuse that type of towel for three to four days. If you’re using your dish towels to wipe up anything other than your wet hands, they’re getting more use than a towel you use after you shower, and you’ll have to wash them more often than the average amount of time you should wait between washing your bath towels.

If you’re using your dish towels to wipe down cutting boards, wash down stovetops, clean up after spills, or even for drying your dishes, you may have to replace them a bit more often. In this case, Liz O’Hanlon, director of Metro Cleaning (UK) Ltd, says, “Ideally you should wash your dishcloths once a day. Unless you use the towel to wipe up spillages which include raw meat or fish; then the towel should be washed immediately after use.”

Of course, this doesn’t mean you have to run a load of a few towels every single day. Laura Smith, owner of All Star Cleaning Services, recommends collecting dirty towels in a small wastebasket under your sink and washing them when you’ve got a full load. That way, once you’ve figured out how often you need to wash your bedsheets, you can throw them all in together.

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