We’re completely across how many times a day we should be washing our face (twice). In fact, we’re even across the exact cleansing formula best suited to us, based on whether our skin is acne-prone, mature or sensitive.
One crucial element of our face washing routine, however, is often overlooked: our face towel.
Although a face towel’s purpose is crystal clear, it is still up for debate just how frequently we should be chucking them into the washing machine. After all, we want to ensure that they are removing bacteria, makeup, skin care, dirt, sweat and oil, rather than adding any.
Plus, it’s not only what your face towel picks up from your skin that you should be worried about. Merely leaving a damp washcloth in the warm, moist environment of the bathroom can create a breeding ground for bacteria and mold.
So let’s settle the face towel washing schedule once and for all…
What is the maximum number of times a face towel can be used before it has to be washed?
The magic number is three. The equivalent of a day and a half of face cleansing.
According to scientist Mary Johnson, in one 24-hour period without exercise, much of the following will be transferred to our towels: “One litre of sweat, 10 grams of salt, 40 grams of grease and sebum and two billion skin cells (approximately 10 grams)” she revealed to Martha Stewart.
Consider us disturbed.
What is the best way to wash your face towel?
The key is heat. Use detergent, a hot cycle, and finish in a hot dryer or lay your towel out in the sun to kill further bacteria.
Although the above sweat and grease facts are alarming and slightly disgusting, it is completely avoidable, and reusable washcloths or pads remain our preferred method of cleansing our faces. We particularly like the Garnier Micellar Reusable Eco Pads ($9.99, Chemist Warehouse) and Face Halo ($30, Adore Beauty).
Main image credit: @resorebody
Now, without further ado, we’re off to throw on a load of washing…
Some good stats to quote at my next party
I’m into trivia & stats, but at a party, Chrystalage?
lol!!! Dying at your comments.
I wash mine after each use.
Me too.
That is good to know
Mine is white and made of bamboo fibre. I go by visuals (not washed it all week or so, just rinsing after washing my face. Still pure white). Not concerned about “bacteria”. At all. Makes my skin glass smooth and so clean.
I always run mine under water, squeeze out and hang over shower rail to dry every day. Two to three times a week I change and launder them.
Well, I guess I’m a bit of a dirty beast then
Me too.
me three and my skin is happy =D
I wash my Manicare Makeup Removal Towels & the reusable makeup pads I use to apply toner after each use. I don’t use hot water, though. I haven’t had any problems.
I wash mine after each use, but I don’t use hot water. I haven’t had any problems.
I like the Canesten hygiene rinse you can put in with your fabric softener or use on it’s own for the final rinse.
It is handy stuff…I like it too. My mum tells me to put a few drops of tea tree oil in with the wash.
I put mine in the wash after each use.
Mine goes in the wash once a week, but I have several so really only use it twice before putting it the wash basket
yes I have several too -easy to wash and you don’t need to worry about bacteria
Looks like I best get my act together.
I change mine every day, I don’t use hot water for washing but I hang them in the sun to dry.
Good to know the facts! I will was it more often now that I’ve read that.
I wash mine after every use
Oh dear. I wash mine once a week.
Often would be my answer – I do a wash every couple of days with towels etc and hand outside in the sun to dry and fluff up in the dryer for a few minutes
I change mine twice weekly.
I normally wash mine once a week but I should try to wash it more often
I just use the Face Halos but tend to wash them every night after use. I have 3 so always have a new one for the next day.
I am a bit confused. Face towel or Face washer. I don’t use a different towel for my face and I don’t use a washer.
My towel just get washed each week or more often if it smells.
i do mine ever 3 days yah
I usually just throw it in the wash after one use.
Wow 😲 I didn’t know that will be washing my Towels much more often.
Wash mine every week.
I wash my evening wash cloth after every use and my morning one twice a week, so I do follow this guideline
I love doing the washing when the sun is out.
I thought I was being pretty good by washing it once a week! Oops.
i try and wash it twice weekly
I don’t use one as I use cotton pads to remove micellar water and eye makeup remover lotion.
Interesting……………….I’d never given it much thought.
Sheesh… i’ll need to wash my towels more often
I did read somewhere after every use too
I wash mine every couple of days.
Must start to do this
Good to know, thank you.