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AIBU?

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Original poster

to only wash bath towels once a month?

657 replies

starkadder · 25/11/2011 14:58

or less Blush

DH is in charge of washing his own towel and I am sure he never puts it in the wash more often than once every 2 or 3 months...

DS's goes in about once every 2 months (but it barely touches him as he likes to run around naked pretending to be a train driver straight after his bath, which dries him quite effectively).

I usually wash mine about every month but have realised that I haven't washed it since coming home from hospital with DD, who is now 5 weeks...in my defence, there is one HECK of a lot of other washing to do and it just won't ever fit in the machine....

We do wash out clothes (!) and sheets once a week. And I do the kitchen hand towel every week or two - it gets quite grubby and also fits in the machine with another wash easily.

But are we grim and disgusting when it comes to bath towels? How often do normal people wash bath towels?

OP posts:
mathanxiety · 02/12/2011 22:06

It's not because I do more laundry than her that she should do more. It's because 5 weeks is simply too long to leave towels unwashed and reused over and over. The DH washes his own towel and apparently does it about every two or three months Hmm -- the OP is not really sure how frequently his towel gets washed, however. He sounds like someone who is content to wallow in his own grime.

There are two adults there who really should get their act together. If there's too much to fit in the machine all at once then what is wrong with doing it twice a week?

Original poster
starkadder · 03/12/2011 19:48

Oh my goodness, this thread just goes on. But I feel the need to revive it one more time to clear a few things up:

  1. Despite having had a baby 5 weeks ago (6, now) my towel is NOT covered in blood or milk! I would certainly wash it if it were. However, I seem to be able to dry myself quite easily without getting any blood, milk, shit, tears on my towel.

  2. The reason our towels are washed so infrequently is actually not really much to do with having recently had a baby....it's not because I am so busy with the baby. We can never be arsed to wash our towels very often. So thanks everyone who gave me that as an excuse, but it isn't really a true one...Blush although I think I do usually wash them (mine and DS's, at least) every 2-3 weeks

  3. DH has washed his towel (well, added to the laundry basket) as a direct result of this thread :)

  4. DH is pretty helpful and does absolutely loads. We're probably 50-50 on the housework. So don't blame him.

OP posts:
Spermysextowel · 03/12/2011 22:10

All the same am very grateful Starkadder. Rhonda & I will wow you on Dragonsden with our bath-sheet size bathroom roll some day soon.

sparkleshine · 03/12/2011 23:02

Mine get washed after each use and always have.

Probably silly and yucky reasons but

  1. I apply creams on my body and towel gets covered with them
  2. I've dried my foofoo with it and the thought that the place I've dried it with, maybe next time might dry my face with the same spot...ewww, also same with drying feet that have been on floor.
  3. Cats hairs from the bed that stick to damp towel which also a problem as above

EXP used to use his twice before I threw in wash. Same with my parents.

Hand towels for bathroom, every other day and I put it on the floor after shower so got no choice. With the men wiping their face after a shave then I go and dry my hands or mouth after cleaning teeth..ewww

Kitchen towels and dishcloths everyday.

I do sound weird don't I?

knit1 · 03/12/2011 23:11

i change hand towels in kitchen and bathroom every couple of days.
bath towels are used at least twice before washing except for when my son uses them because he throws thows on the floor and they do not dry properly.
beds are changed once a month except again for my son,s who sometimes falls asleep in his clothes and sweats a lot leaving his bed manky. i have to remind him to change the bed linen

fothergill · 03/12/2011 23:21

Sorry, too lazy to go through but...did anyone have a tale to tell of skin disease..or worse? I'm thinking it was fine?

rhondajean · 05/12/2011 22:00

Several tales of skin disease above.

Dh had the winter vominting bug last weekend. You know how virulent that is. I had to take him to A and E on the advice of NHS direct.

Noone else in the house has had it, thats now 9 days so I feel safe to say it. My laundry habit obviously is working.

Can I also point out, its not about women doing washing. DH and I have equal responsibility for doing washing - in fact he does more than me (he cant grasp folding the towels the way I like but thats a whole other thread!_

Spermy - two or three ply? And a special Xmassy one?

confusedperson · 12/12/2012 13:17

This is an old thread but I can?t believe what I am reading. Washing towels after each use? Using washing machine 4-7 times a day? Afraid of your own germs? Really?? Does anyone think that toxins in washing powder and fabric softener are much worse than those germs?? In fact, fabric softener is one of the most toxic substances in the world and can cause allergies, depression, headache etc. including increased risk of cancer. The only benefiting party here are chemical producers enjoying business growth by encouraging the mentality of super-clean and no-germs.

We wash every 2-3 weeks or earlier if it is dirty, I do not smell and my towels do not smell. I do care for environment though, I have cut my meat eating habits massively, I am not obsessed with consumption and I cherish the idea of ?living with less?.

Charliefarlie1192 · 12/12/2012 13:39

I have a fresh towel after every bath/ shower.

squeakytoy · 12/12/2012 13:49

I know its an old thread but...

washing every 2-3 weeks for a bathtowel is minging, sorry but it is.. all that dead skin festering on a damp towel then drying and being reused for all that time.. yuk..

cantspel · 12/12/2012 13:53

I only wash towels every few weeks and they dont fester.

I have a collection of towels in the bathroom which the family share. A towel gets used then put on the heated towel rail to dry.
A towel which has been left damp will smell musty but if left to dry properly after use they wont.

Sunnywithachanceofjinglebells · 12/12/2012 13:53

confused do you have any evidence of your claims about washing powder and fabric conditioner? I'd be interested to hear why fabric conditioner is one of the most toxic substances in the world.

OHforDUCKSchristmasCake · 12/12/2012 16:04

confused Id be interested to hear where you read that too.

Old thread, but DH not washing his towels for 2-3 months?! Boak.

cantspel · 12/12/2012 16:06

If you enjoy the smell of clean clothes straight out of the dryer you may be shocked to learn that smell comes at a cost. Most commercial fabric softeners?dryer sheets or the liquid variety?contain many toxic chemicals. Here are eight toxins found in most fabric softeners (and eight reasons to switch to natural options.) Not sure about your natural options? Stay posted for my next blog.

  1. Alpha-Terpineol?This chemical has been linked to disorders of the brain and nervous system, loss of muscle control, depression, and headaches
  1. Benzyl acetate?Benzyl acetate has been linked to cancer of the pancreas
  1. Benzyl alcohol?Linked to headaches, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, depression, as well as disorders of the brain and nervous system
  1. Chloroform?Chloroform is on the Environmental Protection Agency?s Hazardous Waste list because it has been identified as a carcinogen and neurotoxin (toxic to the brain and nervous system)
  1. Ethanol?also on the EPA?s Hazardous Waste list for its ability to cause brain and nervous system disorder
  1. Ethyl Acetate?causes headaches and is on the EPA Hazardous Waste list
  1. Linalool?in studies, this chemical caused loss of muscle coordination, nervous system and brain disorders, and depression

Read more: www.care2.com/greenliving/8-toxins-lurking-in-your-fabric-softener.html#ixzz2Er22CC8a

ChippingInAWinterWonderland · 12/12/2012 16:52

CONFUSED - you are indeed. Why did you go hunting for a year old thread to spout about fabric conditioner? There have probably been at least another 30 threads between then and now. Very very strange behaviour indeed!

OhMyGlob · 12/12/2012 17:05

I wash mine when they smell and look like they need a wash. I never count days or have a routine.

CajaDeLaMemoria · 12/12/2012 17:12

Anyone got a government/scientific source?

This hints of website promotion/scaremongering/bias.

susanann · 12/12/2012 17:15

Wash mine about once a week but more often if they need it. Sheets etc weekly too. Tea towels when they look dirty, approx every 3 days.

pigletmania · 12/12/2012 17:17

Errr grim you need to change them every week

cantspel · 12/12/2012 17:18

I got that just by putting the words fabic conditioner toxic in google. Loads came up and i just c&p the first one.

If you want or need more than google is your friend.

Jins · 12/12/2012 17:19

Towels - every couple of days
Kitchen hand towel - fresh one every day
Bathroom hand towel - every couple of days
tea towels - fresh one each time, I use 3 or 4 a day usually.

They don't go through a separate wash or anything and I have an 8kg low energy machine

midori1999 · 12/12/2012 17:20

I'm a total slattern and even I wash towels after every two or three uses.

I'll take my chances with fabric softener....

Pandemoniaa · 12/12/2012 17:21

I've dried my foofoo with it and the thought that the place I've dried it with, maybe next time might dry my face with the same spot...ewww

Holy shit! Have I woken up in a parallel universe where grown women have become scared of their own genitals? Your vulva isn't going to go on the rampage you know and eat your face.

Kinnane · 12/12/2012 17:40

Pandemoniaa :)

VitoCorleone · 12/12/2012 17:52

I was bath towels after every use

I also go through 2-3 tea towels every day.

I only read the first few pages but the word "towel" sounds weird to me now after reading it so many times.