1. When towels are used by more than 1 person germs can spread between them.

2. When someone handles dirty laundry, they can spread germs onto their hands.

3. When clothes and towels are washed, germs can spread between items in the process of being washed.

"Basic personal hygiene is an important step that could help curb this epidemic"

Todd Ellerin, the director of Infectious Diseases at South Shore Health - On the Coronavirus

Bad Germs

We know who you are!

COVID-19 (Coronavirus) - can persist for a few hours to days outside the body.

FLU VIRUSES – Flu viruses are very common and can easily attach to towels.

INTESTINAL VIRUSES- This group of viruses such as Rota virus can survive up to 2 months outside the body on hard and soft surfaces.

BACTERIA - Both gram-negative and gram-positive bacteria can survive from days to months on dry surfaces. MRSA and VRE are the most dreaded form of germs that can cause serious illness.

FUNGI – Certain fungal spores are capable of surviving for months (6 months) outside the body and are especially fond of bathroom towels and face cloths.

PARASITES- Certain parasitic species can stay dormant on soft surfaces for months.

"Wet hands can still carry germs so dry thoroughly with a single-use towel"

USA Today

Ditch The Towel Because...-..

It hangs to dry in your bathroom.

Why it’s a problem:

A microbiologist at the University of Arizona found in a recent study that nearly 90% of face towels were contaminated with coliform bacteria and about 14% carried E. coli after left to dry in the bathroom.

In case you didn’t know, E.coli is literally a better name for poop particles. Ew!

You're not the only one using it.

Why it’s a problem:

When towels are used by more than one person cross-contamination of the skin can occur.

It smells funky.

Why it’s a problem:

You've washed your towels and they smell pretty good as they come out of the dryer - but the minute they get damp, the funky odor returns. the main causes of the odor is that your washer is not clean and body soil and bacteria are redepositing on the terry cloth during the rinse cycle.

"It's wet. It's moist. They grow. You may start out with a few, but in a few days you've got millions of bacteria"

Charles Gerba, American Biologist on his research of germs on bathroom towels.

Solution #1

Use your towel once

A towel could be looking clean but in reality, a tremendous amount germs, bacteria,dust, dirt, oil, dead skin cells, or even makeup can get collected in a cloth towel. They then would be acting as a good breeding ground for harmful bacteria. Using a towel once and immediately washing it is a good way to reduce the chance of spreading harmful bacteria.

Cons - CROSS CONTAMINATION CAN OCCURE. A LOT OF LAUNDRY.

Solution #2

Use paper towels

Use disposable paper towels or tissue. this will reduce any chance for bacteria infection.

Cons - Paper towels are typically made with chlorine and formaldehyde which can be toxic to our facial skin and their rough texture can easily scratch it.