It might seem like the most practical place to keep your towels, but storing towels in the bathroom could be doing them more harm than good.
Bathrooms are naturally warm and humid, making them the perfect breeding ground for moisture, mildew and bacteria. While neatly folded towels on an open shelf may look like something straight out of a home magazine, they might not stay as fresh and clean as you’d expect.
Here’s why cleaning experts recommend moving your towels elsewhere, and what to do if your bathroom is your only storage option.
Why storing towels in the bathroom isn’t ideal
Every hot shower or bath fills your bathroom with steam. Unless the room is exceptionally well ventilated, that moisture lingers in the air and settles on everything, including your clean towels.
Over time, towels stored in a damp environment can develop a musty smell and even mildew, especially if they never get the chance to dry out completely. If you’ve ever grabbed what should have been a fresh towel only to notice it smells slightly damp, your bathroom’s humidity is likely to blame.
There’s another reason to think twice about bathroom storage: your toilet.
Flushing with the lid open releases tiny airborne droplets, often referred to as a “toilet plume”. These microscopic particles can settle on nearby surfaces, including towels, toothbrushes and toilet paper. In smaller bathrooms, even shelves on the opposite side of the room may not be far enough away to avoid this.
The best place to store towels
The ideal place to keep spare towels is somewhere cool, dry and well ventilated.
A linen cupboard in a hallway is one of the best options, as it stays relatively dry and isn’t exposed to bathroom humidity or airborne bacteria. If you don’t have one, a wardrobe shelf, bedroom cupboard or dedicated linen cabinet will work just as well.
Short on storage? A storage ottoman at the foot of your bed is a clever alternative. It keeps towels neatly tucked away while protecting them from moisture. Under-bed storage containers or slim hallway cupboards are also practical options if space is limited.
What if your bathroom is your only option?
Not every home has a separate linen cupboard, so sometimes the bathroom is the only realistic place to store towels.
If that’s the case, keep them inside a closed cabinet rather than on open shelves. A cupboard with doors or a lidded storage basket offers better protection from steam and airborne particles than leaving towels exposed.
Try to position towel storage as far away from the shower and toilet as possible, and avoid stacking clean towels directly next to areas that stay damp for long periods.
Natural materials, such as bamboo storage baskets or cabinets, are also a smart choice. They’re more resistant to moisture than fabric storage bins or particleboard furniture, making them better suited to humid environments.
Keep your towels fresher for longer
Good storage is only part of the equation. A few simple habits can help your towels stay cleaner and fresher between washes:
- Replace hand towels every seven to 10 days, or sooner if they’re used frequently.
- Wash bath towels every few uses and allow them to dry completely between uses.
- Open a window or switch on the extractor fan during and after showers to reduce humidity.
- Avoid folding damp towels and putting them straight into storage.
- Place an open container of bicarbonate of soda or a lightly scented sachet inside your linen cupboard to help absorb odours.
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