When Should You Clean a Sweat Towel?

　　The best answer to this question is to clean your sweat towel after each use. Dirty sweat towels can become breeding grounds for all sorts of bacteria and fungi. Using a sweat towel without washing it first can lead to these bacteria transferring to your skin and causing irritation or infections, including staph infections. Some people may not experience irritation by reusing a dirty sweat towel, but generally, it’s better for your health to properly wash a sweat towel after every use.

　　A good practice is to wash any towel that collects body fluids after every use. This includes fitness towels in addition to gym clothes and undergarments. You may have to stick your workout towels into your gym bag or locker when they’re still slightly damp, which increases the chances of bacteria and fungi growing on them — all the more reason they should be washed after every use. Remember, if you use your sweat towel to wipe down gym equipment as well, you risk transferring that bacteria onto your body. It’s a good idea to use one or two towels per workout and wash them before using them again, so you’re using fresh towels for every gym session.