How to Prevent Towels From Getting Mildew, Mold and Bacteria

　　Knowing how to clean towels to remove bacteria and mildew is great, but prevention is always better. Plus, preventing mildew is much easier than getting rid of it!

　　To prevent mildew and bacteria from growing on your towels, ensure towels dry entirely. Removing the possibility of moisture will remove the opportunity for bacteria to breed.

　　1. After Use

　　It would help to always hang up towels after using them. When you hang them after a shower, ensure there are no folds in the towels so they dry completely. If you plan to hang up a bath towel for reuse, consider drying it off on a rack or hanger without any present folds. Leave it in a well-ventilated area to reduce the chance of bacteria and fungi, especially if you hang your towel to dry in your bathroom after showering. Ensure the exhaust fan is on during and after your shower to eliminate the excess humidity.

　　Bath towels should be washed at least every few uses to kill growing bacteria. Towels may attract more bacteria the longer they go without proper washing. Dirt and bacteria may accumulate the more the towel is used.

　　2. Before Washing

　　Try regularly washing your machine and dryer with a deep-cleaning vinegar solution. Vinegar is a natural cleaner that ensures your washing machine remains sanitary and does not spread bacteria or mildew to your towels, fabrics, linens or clothes. You can’t avoid water when using a washing machine, but you can reduce the amount of remaining moisture between washes which often becomes a breeding ground for bacteria.

　　And remember, your towels should be washed in a load of their own, without any other clothes. You don’t want any potential bacteria from the towels to transfer onto your other clothes, so it’s best to give towels a load of their own and wash them in warm or hot water. Limiting the loads to three or four large bath towels is also best since they will absorb more water and take longer to dry.

　　If you’re a fan of fabric softeners, a good alternative is white vinegar. Fabric softener can leave a slight residue on your towels, which will only build up the more often you wash your towels with it. Vinegar does everything a fabric softener does, killing bacteria and preventing your clothes from getting staticky.

　　3. After Washing

　　Once again, ensure your towels are dry before you fold them up and store them away for later use. You may think some dampness is harmless, but even the slightest moisture will encourage bacterial growth and can lead to mildew and an offensive odor.

　　Dry towels on the highest heat, and if they’re still not dry, hang them out in direct sunlight until every drop of moisture is gone.

　　Folding a damp towel creates the perfect environment for bacteria and final growth due to the moist and dark areas of the folds. You should always ensure a towel is completely dry and clean before folding.