As Valentine’s Day approaches, shocking new research reveals that UK men are five times more likely than women to clean their towels just once a year, with 5 per cent confessing to an annual wash. So, while you’re getting ready to celebrate Valentines this year, maybe take a moment to check out the state of your partner’s towels first.
While guidance shows that towels should be washed after three uses, bathroom experts Showers to You surveyed 2,200 UK residents and found that many were using their towels for much longer before giving them a freshen up.
Almost one in 10 respondents (8 per cent) stated they will only wash their bathroom towels twice a year, indicating over 1.5 million people across the UK give their towels a clean every six months, while a third of respondents (33 per cent) will only wash their bathroom towels once every three months at the most.
It is recommended to wash towels after every three to four uses to eliminate bacteria, dirt, dead skin cells, and allergens, ensuring optimal hygiene and minimising health risks.”
Dr Hamdan Abdullah Hamed MBChB
However, it’s not all bad news for the UK’s bathroom hygiene, with almost one in five (38 per cent) respondents stating they wash their towels once a month, almost a quarter (24 per cent) washing their towels once a week, and one in 20 (5 per cent) health conscious residents washing their towels every single day.
“The bathroom should in theory be one of the cleanest rooms in the home, however our research shows that many people across the [UK] could be ignoring a key step in ensuring proper bathroom hygiene,” says Martin Smith, founder of Showers to You.
“While it’s encouraging to see the data shows the majority of respondents are keeping up with regularly washing their bathroom towels, everyone should ensure a regular routine of washing their towels in line with guidance from health professionals, especially for those who only give their towels an annual wash.”
Visual cleanliness is the most common factor that causes people to wash their bathroom towels (67 per cent), followed by smell (61 per cent), and ‘number of uses’ (58 per cent). Worryingly, one in six respondents (15 per cent) stated they will only wash their towels once they have become stiff.
While the study found that one in nine respondents (11 per cent) aren’t concerned at all by bacteria or hygiene issues stemming from not washing their bathroom towels, the UK’s National Health Service advises that towels can spread germs if not washed frequently.
Commenting on the research, Dr Hamdan Abdullah Hamed MBChB, a board-certified Dermatologist and Co-founder of PowerYourCurls.com, said “it is crucial to maintain proper hygiene in our everyday routines, including the use and care of bathroom towels”.
“Regular washing of bathroom towels is important to maintain cleanliness and reduce the risk of infections,” Dr Hamed said.
“Towels tend to accumulate moisture, creating an environment conducive to bacterial and fungal growth. Bacteria like staphylococcus aureus can lead to skin infections, while fungi like Candida yeast can cause issues like athlete’s foot or yeast infections.
“Additionally, dirty towels may contain allergens that can trigger allergic reactions or skin irritations in sensitive individuals. Therefore, it is recommended to wash towels after every three to four uses to eliminate bacteria, dirt, dead skin cells, and allergens, ensuring optimal hygiene and minimising health risks.”
Canberra poll
A recent poll on canberradaily.com.au revealed half of respondents (63 of 122) washed their towels once a week, and one third (41) washed them every few days. Six respondents washed their towels daily, eight cleaned them once a month, and four said they only washed their bath towel once a year.
