Ray D'Arcy caught up with Gaff Goddess author Laura DeBarra to discuss how often towels should be washed. Listen back above.
A recent survey conducted in the UK found that one in 10 people admitted to washing their towels only twice a year. No doubt we all need to be washing our towels more that that, but exactly how often should we be washing them and at what temperature?
"You want to make sure you're washing your towels every week - your bath mat would be the same," says Laura, noting that the fabrics in these items hold on to bacteria and need to be "dried thoroughly" after each wash.
"Your dressing gown is another one," she adds.
Although you may be squeaky clean after your bath or shower, your body carries the products that you may have used such as shampoo or body wash. Therefore, even if you feel clean, your towels aren't.
"It's not so much about it being dirty, it's more about body oils and bacteria. No matter how much you leave that towel dry out between showers, it still needs to be cleaned."
Once a week may mean that your towel will be used up to seven times before getting a spin in the washing machine, but Laura insists that you don't want to over wash your towels either, as they will lose fibres each time.
"As long as they're drying okay in between washes," she notes, suggesting that towels should be stored outside of the bathroom to avoid being met with "the plume".
The plume, she explains (if you're eating while reading this, we advise you look away now) is the burst of bacteria-filled air that bursts from the toilet every time you flush.
"That's why you need to keep a lot of things away from the toilet. Or, the simple solution is to use the lid - what it's designed for is to be down when you flush."
When washing towels Laura insists that fabric softener should be avoided at all costs. Most fabric softeners, she says, create a waxy barrier that traps bacteria and prevents fibres from taking moisture from the body.
To hear Laura discuss washing tea towels and share tips for making your laundry more eco-friendly, listen back above.
