Unlike food or medication, bath towels don’t have a clear expiration date. With proper care, a quality bath towel can last three to five years or even longer, but it ultimately depends on how often it's used and how well it's maintained.
As part of the Good Housekeeping Institute Textiles Lab, I've tested towels for softness, absorbency, and durability. Rather than replacing your towels on a set schedule, I recommend paying attention to a few key clues that it's time for a replacement.
Signs it's time for a new towel
It isn't as absorbent.
If your towel pushes water around instead of soaking it up, don't rush to replace it. Sometimes, the culprit is residue from fabric softener rather than worn-out fibers.
GH Home Care & Cleaning Analyst Noah Pinsonnault recommends avoiding fabric softener: “Because fabric softener imparts residues to create softness, it can interfere with fabrics that have a performance element, such as water resistance or absorbency. I recommend not using fabric softener or using it very sparingly.”
If you’re noticing buildup after several washes, Pinsonnault suggests using a citric acid-based fabric rinse (like Downy Rinse & Refresh) that can help to remove excess residues or, as a last resort, stripping your towels with borax, which is more labor-intensive.
If that doesn’t help (or if you’ve never used fabric softener), it's probably a sign that your towel's fibers are wearing out.
It feels rough or flat.
Bath towels get their soft, fluffy feel from thousands of tiny loops of yarn called pile. Over time, those loops can become compressed and worn from repeated washing, drying, and everyday use. As the fibers wear down, it may also start to feel rougher or stiffer against your skin.
If your towel no longer feels as soft or fluffy as it once did, it may be time to start shopping for a replacement.
It's fraying or developing holes.
Pay close attention to the edges and hems, which often show wear first. Widespread fraying, thinning fabric, or holes are signs that your towel is reaching the end of its lifespan.
It has stains or odors that won't come out.
While occasional stains or odors can often be treated, persistent discoloration or lingering smells may indicate buildup or wear that regular laundering can no longer address. If you notice that your towel still looks dingy or smells musty after washing, it’s likely time to replace it.
How to make your towels last longer
The lifespan of a towel depends on how often you use it, how you wash it and how you care for it. Here are tips from GH’s Home Care & Cleaning Lab on how to extend the life of your towels:
- Skip fabric softener. It can leave behind residue that reduces absorbency.
- Follow the care label.
- Run a sanitizing cycle occasionally (if your washer has one).
- Dry thoroughly before storing.
Ultimately, if your towel is still soft, absorbent, and in good condition, there's no reason to replace it. But if it's rough, worn, or no longer drying you effectively, it's probably time for a new one.
Grace Wu (she/her) is the senior analyst in the Good Housekeeping Institute's Textiles, Paper and Apparel Lab, where she evaluates fabric-based products using specialized equipment and consumer tester data. Prior to starting at Good Housekeeping in 2022, she earned a master of engineering in materials science and engineering and a bachelor of science in fiber science from Cornell University. While earning her degrees, Grace worked in research laboratories for smart textiles and nanotechnology and held internships at Open Style Lab and Rent the Runway.
