Will a Washing Machine Kill Mold on Towels?
Editor
May Willis
Published
Sunday, 10 Nov 2024
5 min. read
Introduction
Hey there! If you've ever dealt with moldy towels, you know how frustrating it can be. You wash them, dry them, and yet that musty smell persists. You tried everything: high temp washing, low temp washing, nothing seemed to work. And now you are wondering, will a washing machine kill mold on towels? The short answer is no, and here's why.
Mold and bacteria on towels are transferred from our body, home surfaces, clothing. It's a situation not to be taken likely, especially in a household with family members with sensitive or acne-prone skin, as mold and bacteria and leads to all kinds of issues.
I. Why Your Washing Machine Isn't Enough
Expert Opinion
In an article by Readers Digest featuring Dr. Philip Tierno, a microbiologist & clinical professor of pathology and microbiology at NYU School of Medicine, says that a towel would need to be washed every 2-3 times of normal use. Furthermore, If one has sensitive or acne-prone skin, then the towel needs to be washed even more frequently, after every use. However, simply washing the towels is not enough. Although regular detergent can eliminate a percentage of mold, the mold spores can grow deep into the fiber of the towel. What makes the situation worse is that the mold can contaminate other clothes if you wash them together. The problem is not to be taken lightly.
In another article by Time, microbiologist Dr.Gerba at the University of Arizona said: "After about two days, if you dry your face on a hand towel, you’re probably getting more E. coli on your face than if you stuck your head in a toilet and flushed it." This is a nightmare for people with sensitive and acne-prone skin.
"After about two days, if you dry your face on a hand towel, you’re probably getting more E. coli on your face than if you stuck your head in a toilet and flushed it."
Charles Gerba, Microbiologist at the University of Arizona
II. The Problem with Mold & Bacteria on Towels
Mold thrives in damp, warm environments, making your bathroom towels the perfect breeding ground (same with bacteria). Even if you wash them regularly, the mold spores and bacteria can survive and continue to multiply, leading to persistent odors and potential health risks. Yeah, there are some solutions to this, like soaking your towels in vinegar or using hot water with activated oxygen bleach, but these are just not realistic methods or everyday households; who's going to use a towel that smells like vinegar to dry their face during skincare?
Bathrooms are the best environment bacteria and mold spores can ever ask for. After a towel, it is humid, dark, and closed, perfect for bacteria and mold to grow. However, these are elements that can't be helped. Instead of trying to clean your towel over and over hoping to get rid of mold and bacteria, we should address the problem fundamentally.
III. A New Solution: PureNatura 100% Cotton Disposable Towels
Given the limitations of traditional towels, it might be time to consider an alternative. At CottonNow, we confidently believe the future of towels in facial cleansing will be 100% cotton disposable face towels that are compostable. For our current topic at hand, disposable face towels do not have the problem of mold or bacteria because you simply throw them away after you are done. This way, you don't ever need to worry about washing your face towel every few uses or using complicated, time-consuming methods to get rid of the mold that is so hard to remove. Here are three compelling reasons to switch to our PureNatura™ disposable face towels if you are having problems with moldy or bacteria-filled towels:
IV. The Many Benefits of Going Disposable
Hygienic and Single-Use
PureNatura towels are designed for single use, ensuring that you always have a fresh, clean towel. This eliminates the risk of mold and bacteria build-up, which is common with reusable bathroom towels.
Chemical-Free, Hypoallergenic, and Non-Abrasive
These towels are made from 100% natural US cotton and are manufactured using a spunlace process that relies solely on high-pressure water jets. The towels have a softer texture compared to normal bathroom towels and thus are way less abrasive for sensitive skin. Together, they are ideal for sensitive skin and reducing the risk of skin redness and irritation without the worry of traditional towels.
Convenient and Portable
PureNatura towels are packaged for easy use on the go. Whether you're at the gym, traveling, or simply going about your daily routine, these towels offer a convenient and hygienic solution. They fit perfectly into any skincare routine, whether for gently patting dry after cleansing, removing makeup, or wiping down post-workout. For the modern lifestyle where we do not have time to wash our time every time after use, PureNatura presents the perfect solution.
In an ideal world, we can all soak our towels in vinegar, or use oxygen activated detergent, or air dry our towels everyday. But this is simply impossible for the modern lifestyle. We are always so busy, and won't have time to do all these things. As a result, our health takes a hit. You are here today because your towels have mold and bacteria in them from the lack of washing. But our hope is that you can find a new solution that actually improves your health everyday!
Conclusion
In conclusion, while your washing machine may not be effective at killing mold and bacteria on towels, switching to PureNatura disposable face towels can provide a hygienic, chemical-free, and convenient alternative. These towels are designed to support your busy lifestyle while ensuring your skin remains clear and healthy. So stop worrying about mold and bacteria growing on your towels and solve the root of the problem instead!
Sources
"How to Wash Your Towels to Keep Them Clean and Fluffy." Reader's Digest, 24 May 2024
Abrams, Abigail. "Your Towels Are Way Dirtier Than You Think." Time, 21 Aug. 2017.
Bloomfield, Sally. "How Often Should You Wash and Change Your Towel?" BBC News, 10 Sept. 2023.
Gerba, Charles. "Do You Know What's Growing on Your Towel?" Inside Edition, 11 Feb. 2020.
Q&A
No, a washing machine typically does not reach the high temperatures needed to kill mold spores. Additionally, most detergents lack the antifungal agents required to eliminate mold effectively.
Disposable face towels like PureNatura are chemical-free and hypoallergenic, making them ideal for sensitive skin. They also prevent bacterial build-up, reducing the risk of acne and skin redness.
Switching to single-use disposable towels can help prevent mold. PureNatura towels are a great option as they are made from 100% natural US cotton and are designed for one-time use, ensuring hygiene.
Why trust us?
With 10+ years struggling with acne & skin conditions, we understand what it’s like.
Science & evident-based approach to personal care. It has to work.
Incubated at the Harvard Innovation Lab.
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