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Housekeeping

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Original poster

Wash cloths separate or wash at 90- what's more hygienic?

45 replies

Hygieneee · 31/01/2023 09:51

Hi

I've only just realised that mesh body poufs are supposed to be changed every 3 weeks. Well, we each had one and they had been used for longer, allowed to air dry and had no signs of mould or bad smell. It's made from plastic and I know it's terrible for the environment.

Do I get my family different coloured wash cloths each and wash at 60c after every use with their bigger bath towels like I already do or get all white for all of us and then wash them after each as usual at 90c? What is more hygienic? We don't have any contagious skin illnesses but who knows in the future!

Does it matter how much GSM the towel has if it's going to be washed on very hot and used to scrub up in the shower? I go for higher gsm for drying but not sure about using them for scrubbing up.

What does everyone do? What's the most hygienic way? I don't like just using my hands to wash my body. Thanks.

OP posts:
Original poster
Hygieneee · 31/01/2023 09:52

sorry I meant mold* always get them mixed up!

OP posts:
Original poster
Hygieneee · 31/01/2023 09:53

ughhh it turns out both mold and mould are ok, US spelling etc. my kingdom for an edit button!

OP posts:
EspeciallyDetermined · 31/01/2023 09:55

We have a basket full of white flannels for all to use, get washed after each use with whatever's being washed that day as towels are only done once a week or so, so not at 90 (usually 40). I haven't the faintest idea what GSM any of my towels or flannels are but the flannels are bamboo (from a re-usable nappy website)

MrsPelligrinoPetrichor · 31/01/2023 09:58

We have a basket of wash cloths and they go in with normal washes @40 degree cycles, no need for 90 cycles.

Peridot1 · 31/01/2023 09:58

I use washcloths to take my cleanser off etc rather than for washing my body but I basically rinse them well and let them air dry so they don’t go mouldy and then I have a basket i put them in and I wash them on 60 with towels. Generally only my towels. They stay white so I am assuming they are getting properly clean.

Bobbybobbins · 31/01/2023 09:59

I don't really understand why people wash these things so often. Surely rinsing out and leaving to dry is sufficient and wash every 3 days/a week.

MrsPelligrinoPetrichor · 31/01/2023 10:04

The beauty of wash cloths is you can wash them as often as you like,they make no difference to your existing washes as they're so small.

EyesOnThePies · 31/01/2023 10:06

OP, you remember the hand washing instructions from lockdown? 20 seconds with soap and water at normal hand washing temperature?

Your cloths and towels are in soapy water for longer than 20 seconds. The enzymes in bio detergent (if you use it) break down bio residues. Since you are environmentally conscious, just put stuff on at 40’. All together, towels, cloths etc.

It sounds as if you are overthinking this.

BrakeNow · 31/01/2023 10:10

Thanks everyone. I'm surprised many think 40c is good enough.
It's easy for me to do laundry often because I'm at home and I already do 3 loads a day. I like seeing the bottom of our laundry basket and I enjoy folding and ironing. I don't iron my towels but saying generally lol.

Original poster
Hygieneee · 31/01/2023 10:10

ooh hahaha name change fail. I'm also BrakeNow

OP posts:
hedgehoglurker · 31/01/2023 10:18

I do 60 degrees with other towels. White towels/ cloths separately to colours. If they will be single use, assigning colours won't matter.

However, like a pp suggested, you could use for several days if hung up to dry between washes - especially bath towels!

Justsoweary · 31/01/2023 10:20

Jeez people are just nuts. Just don't use plastic and wash your towels at 30 degrees, what the hell do you think you're going to catch? Our poor poor planet

cantba · 31/01/2023 10:24

I'm mental about washing and even i am rolling my eyes at you. Wash it out under the tap and dry it on the towel rail. Will be fresh for 3 days at least.

Peridot1 · 31/01/2023 10:24

My parents always washed towels at 40. They got smelly. I wash my towels at 60. Have a very new efficient washing machine.

whizzpopping · 31/01/2023 10:24

You mentioned you are worried about environmental impacts but are proposing to launder everyone's wash cloth at 90 degrees after a single use?

Do you also wash towels after a single use?

EyesOnThePies · 31/01/2023 10:26

OP: typically we wash our hands at 38’. For a lot less time and with fewer rinses than a washing machine. And then….. prepare food!!

Some of these bodies getting bathed and showered at much lower temperatures than you are washing the towels that dried them at might be getting kissed or even licked!

You are wasting water and electricity for no good reason.

EyesOnThePies · 31/01/2023 10:27

My parents always washed towels at 40. They got smelly.

Did they leave them bunched up and damp in an unheated / unaired place after use?

Peridot1 · 31/01/2023 10:30

EyesOnThePies · 31/01/2023 10:27

My parents always washed towels at 40. They got smelly.

Did they leave them bunched up and damp in an unheated / unaired place after use?

No - always dried outside. If they came in damp they were put on radiators.

Ohifyouinsist · 31/01/2023 10:31

OP (and others) what do you think will happen to you if you don't wash things at 60 or even worse, 90?

Ohifyouinsist · 31/01/2023 10:34

Peridot1 · 31/01/2023 10:24

My parents always washed towels at 40. They got smelly. I wash my towels at 60. Have a very new efficient washing machine.

I've never washed a towel at 60, 40 is fine and they always smell fresh after drying outside. I bet their towels stayed damp between each use.

ErrolTheDragon · 31/01/2023 10:40

I have a basket of flannels, they get used once then dried off on radiator rack until I'm doing a towel wash. Then they all go in, 40-60 eco wash, and dried in a heat pump tumble dryer. Absolutely fine.

greenacrylicpaint · 31/01/2023 10:45

a separate boil wash is more hygienic but not necessary unless you need them to dress wounds or have a family member with an infectious skin disease and/or compromised immune system.

or you run a beauty business.

for most washing with whatever laundry needs doing is sufficient.

TheCatterall · 31/01/2023 10:53

Worrying that I’m the mucky one of the thread.

everything is washed at 30. Can’t recall using any other programme apart from the wool one and the extra spin cycle occasionally.

clothes are rinsed and left to air dry in the bathroom after each wash and will get thrown in with towels weekly. Ish.

I wash at 30 and have no smelly towels.
My chap does the same at his but his towels can have a pong. I think it’s the age of machine, anount of product and he keeps them folded up damp a lot in-between uses so maybe they retain the smell?

I haven’t died yet so will continue this.

I wash my plastic pouffe shower things when I do my shower curtain in the machine monthly. But I also rinse and clean both shower curtain and pouffe throughout the month!

Magenta65 · 31/01/2023 11:02

Depends on your towel situation! We have a mix of white and coloured so have matching flannels. Every week I’ll round up the wash loads and do them usually on a 60 and they’re fine. Never smell and nice and clean. You could make each person pick a colour and stick to it but I think that’s too much hassle if you want to watch separate.
white towels and flannels together and then coloured together here (although these are mainly grey)

Magenta65 · 31/01/2023 11:04

Also no shower puff here but I use a sponge. Changed every other week. You could put the puff in the machine with towels