How often do you wash your bath towels? According to a survey, one in ten Britons only wash them twice a year and 5% only once a year. A bad habit that would expose them to skin infections and other health problems. Discover good hygiene rules.
How often do you wash your towels? While most people wash them at least once a week, some go well beyond that. According to the results of a recent survey revealed by the DailyMail, almost one in ten Britons only wash their towels twice a year.
Men are less concerned about hygiene than women
In this survey carried out by the bathroom company Showers to You, conducted among 2,200 British residents, we learn that 5% of men admit to washing them only once a year, compared to 1% of women.
What are the reasons why people surveyed wash their towels? Far from being regularity, it is rather the visual cleanliness for 67% of respondents, the smell for 61% of respondents and the number of uses for 58% of respondents that push them to put them in the washing machine.
The consequences of poor hygiene
This study reveals that for 11% of people questioned, the presence of bacteria or hygiene issues related to towels were “not a concern at all“.
However, as Dr Hamdan Hamed, dermatologist interviewed by the Daily Mail, recalls, “towels accumulate moisture, creating an environment conducive to bacterial and fungal growth. Bacteria such as Staphylococcus aureus can lead to skin infections, while fungi like Candida yeast can cause problems like athlete’s foot or candidiasis.”.
He concludes by giving his recommendations: “It is recommended to wash towels every three to four uses to remove bacteria, dirt, dead skin cells and allergens.”. A word to the wise!
