When it comes to building a functional and fashionable home, it always pays off to be prepared. For some, that might mean having a well-stocked toolbox for repairs—or a reliable professional on speed dial. For others, it might just mean to have enough of the essentials under your roof: Snacks, fresh sheets, and bath towels. But can we talk about that last one for a second? Because, if we’re being honest, it can be tough to find that “just right” number.
At first thought, piles of fresh, ready-to-use towels can bring a hotel quality and tip-top hygiene to your home. Why reach for that slightly damp bath sheet when you have a clean, perfectly plush one waiting to dry you off after a serene soak? But while it might be important to have enough towels for every member of your house—plus the occasional guests!—tons of terrycloth can make your linen closet appear cluttered and chaotic. “We often find that people have way too many towels, and they’ll use through them and have a pile of backlog to wash,” adds Clara Schoen, owner of The Home Organized in Birmingham, Alabama. “I found that the less you have the more likely to keep up with it because you have to.” To help, we asked the pros the big question: How many bath towels is too many?
How Many Bath Towels Do You Need in Your Home?
According to Liz Jenkins, owner of A Fresh Space in Nashville, Tennessee, less is more. “Ideally, each person should have a minimum of two and a maximum of four to six bath towels,” she shares. “Having a clean set and one in the wash makes sense.” Jenkins says that many women may want to have two towels on hand—one to dry their body and one for their hair—while most men and children can get away with using less.
Another thing you’ll want to consider is how often you’re hosting. After all, visitors will rarely bring their own towels and it’s up to you to be the host with the most. “If you live by yourself and never have overnight guests, you probably don’t need to keep a lot of extra towels on hand,” says Catie Kelly, owner and lead organizer of Sistamatic Organizing in Atlanta, Georgia. “But if you do tend to have a lot of guests—especially last-minute ones—I think it’s smart to keep one or two extras set aside to make sure you always have some that are clean for them.” Kelly notes that extras should be stored away in your linen closet or in a vacuum-sealed bag under your bed.
Want to add hand towels and washcloths to the mix? Schoen recommends two washcloths per person and two hand towels per bathroom. (If you want to add more, don’t worry: These layers are small enough to store in a drawer.)
How Often Should You Wash Your Towels?
If you are going to cut down on the number of towels in your home, it’s important you should clean them regularly. However, how often your towel need to go in the laundry is up for debate: Some organizers would recommend you wash them daily, while others say you can use them three to four time before they need to be cleaned.
Regardless of how often you choose to wash them, professionals agree that towels need to be hung up with plenty of room to dry. In other words, not smushed between your robe and a damp bath sheet. And, as expected, quality is king. “The most durable and absorbent towels are 100 percent cotton,” Kelly says. “Look for words like ‘Supima’ or ‘long-staple’ on the label—those designate the highest quality cotton.”
How To Store Your Bath Towels
Whether you have two towels or 20, storing them properly is simply a non-negotiable. After all, nobody wants to be hit by an avalanche of towels the moment they open their linen closet door. ” If there is a linen closet, typically folding on a shelf or rolling them works well, or corralling smaller towels in baskets or bins,” Jenkins recommends. “Baskets can be really helpful as towels can be rolled up or stacked neatly near the shower or tub.”
Working with a small area? Don’t let an inch of free space go to waste. “Taking advantage of blank wall space is paramount,” Kelly says. “A wall-mounted towel rack or an above the toilet cabinet can help create more storage space.”