Unless you wash your towels after each use (which, to be honest, most of us don’t), it’s important to keep it dry in between uses. 

That’s because moisture attracts all sorts of unhygienic stuff including bacteria, fungus, and germs. A dirty towel can cause acne breakouts and give you infections, not to mention the smell. 

The best place to keep a towel after a shower or bath is somewhere airy where it will dry as quickly as possible. Here are some ideas, along with their pros and cons. 

1. In the Bathroom

The bathroom is the most convenient place to hang up your towel after a shower. For one, it’s right there. You also don't have to worry about a damp towel in your bedroom.

A towel rod works best since it allows the towel to dry faster. You can also use a simple hook on the wall or at the back of the door. The most important thing is to make sure the towel is spread out to speed up drying. So don’t fold it up or leave it in a pile in the corner. 

While a bathroom is convenient, the downside is that it’s a damp environment. Your towel will dry slower and there is a risk of bacteria, germs and even mold growing on it. This is an especially big problem if you have an extra thick and fluffy towel. 

2. In the Bedroom 

The bedroom is the second most common place people keep their towels after a shower. People (mostly guys, much to the annoyance of their partners) often hang them on the door, drop them on the bed or drape them on the back of a chair. 

If you have a hook or rack in the bedroom where you can hang your towel, it can work. The bedroom is not as humid as the bathroom, so the towel will dry faster. If it’s during the day, open a window to improve circulation. It will dry the towel quicker. 

The main problem with keeping your towel in the bedroom is the extra humidity from it. It makes your bedroom more humid, which can introduce smells, mold and bacteria. 

3. On a Ladder Rack 

If you have multiple towels, a ladder rack is a great way to air them. It lets you hang several towels, without using a lot of space. 

You can set up a ladder rack in your bathroom, bedroom, hallway or wherever you find convenient. Just make sure it’s a place that’s airy. So don't put it in the walk-in closet. You’ll just be inviting mold and mildew. 

4. Heated Towel Rack

Heated towel racks are more common in the UK than the US, but they are lifesavers when it comes to keeping your towel clean and fresh. 

Also called towel warmers, heated towel racks use electricity to generate heat. When you hang your towel on the heated bars, it dries a lot quicker. A heated towel rack is also great if you like wiping yourself dry with a warm towel. 

You can buy a standalone towel warmer and set it up wherever you want. You can also have one installed in your bathroom, though it’s best to do this during construction or renovation. 

The only downside of towel warmers is that they are not a bit pricey. Because they run on electricity, you also spend money to dry your towels. 

5. Outside  

If you have an outdoor space, drying your damp towels outside on a line or rack is the best option. For one, it is completely free. 

Two, a damp towel will dry a lot faster outside because there’s more air flow and, of course, sunshine. But even when it’s not sunny, a damp towel will still dry faster outside as long as it’s not snowing or raining. 

There’s also the free sanitization you get from the sun’s UV rays. They kill germs, bacteria and mold, helping keep your towel hygienic and fresh until it’s time to wash it. Talking of washing your towel…

How Often Should You Wash Your Towel Anyway?

We recently answered this question in detail in this article. The recommended frequency for washing your bath towel is after every three uses — uses, not days. So if you take two showers daily, you should launder your towel every other day.    

If that sounds crazy, you can probably do it twice a week but you risk skin problems and a smelly towel. Make sure you air the towel somewhere it can dry quickly. 

We also recommend getting the Tegan Towel by Hercleon. It’s made with a material that fights bacteria, so it stays hygienic and fresh-smelling for longer. It’s also great for people with sensitive skin as it protects your skin from infections and breakouts.