Towel holders for shower towels: how to dry bath towels properly

Why dry towels are important

Towels or guest towels are relatively small and can be easily dried on a towel holder in the bathroom or on a hook. However, you should still replace them after a few days, as bacteria can multiply more easily in the warm and humid environment of the bathroom than in other rooms.

While this is quite easy with small terry items, it can be more challenging with shower and bath towels. Where and how do shower towels dry best so they can be reused multiple times?

Towel holders: drying large shower towels

Shower towels come in different sizes, but 80 × 150 cm is a classic. This allows you to wrap yourself comfortably after a shower and dry your whole body quickly and easily. A shower towel absorbs more moisture than a regular towel. You can choose from many different materials, textures, and weights.

However, when it comes to hanging and drying, things become more complicated than with smaller terry items. Damp shower and bath towels dry much worse on hooks—even when placed higher—than hand towels. A towel holder for shower towels therefore needs to be not only wider but also tall enough so the towel can be spread out properly and ready for its next use.

Towel holders come as freestanding stands, ladder-style racks, or wall-mounted solutions. The latter can be attached to the outside of a shower enclosure, for example, allowing you to conveniently dry your shower towels or bath mats. You can also mount a wider towel holder directly on the wall. There are also models that can be attached to a radiator. However, the limited distance from the floor can be a drawback in such cases.

Modern alternative: towel warmers

In renovated bathrooms, a particularly practical solution for drying and hanging towels and shower towels is often found: the towel warmer. This is a radiator that, in smaller bathrooms, can even serve as the main source of heat. Towels dry quickly and easily here and are warmed at the same time—an especially pleasant benefit after a shower in autumn or winter!

Changing shower towels: how often is ideal?

How often you should change your shower towel depends on how frequently and how closely in time you use it. If you shower daily, you should change your shower towel about twice a week. If the towel has enough time to dry thoroughly between uses, changing it once a week is sufficient. Regular washing is of course essential. For long-term hygiene, a mild detergent and a washing temperature of 60°C are recommended for colored towels. White terry items retain their bright whiteness best with a heavy-duty detergent and a washing temperature of 95°C. Drying in a tumble dryer makes your hand and shower towels particularly soft and fluffy—however, drying them on a traditional drying rack or line works just as well.