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The post Best Antibacterial Bath Towels appeared first on Penny Pinchin' Mom.
There are a few things that can ruin your shower more than the cringeworthy experience of reaching for your towel, and it smelling…off. Even if you make a practice of diligently washing your towels regularly, they can still develop dreadful musty odors, stay damp for far too long, or just start to feel less clean. This is because traditional towels are really good at trapping moisture, bacteria, and mildew.
Antibacterial bath towels, however, are specifically designed to solve this exact issue, helping to slow bacterial growth, keeping towels fresh longer, drying faster, and requiring fewer washes over time. Below, I have rounded up the best antibacterial towels worth considering, whether you’re on a budget, looking to splurge, or somewhere in between.
Why do towels smell, and what can be done about it?
Before we get into the best antibacterial bath towels, let’s talk about why they smell. The answer is simple: towels are the perfect hangout spot for mildew and bacteria. When you use a towel, it stays warm and damp. If it doesn’t dry quickly or completely, bacteria will feed on the leftover moisture. Even skin cells. Over time, that growth creates the musty odor we all know so well. Gross, no?
What helps most effectively combat this is washing towels more thoroughly and improving your drying habits. Experts recommend washing towels in warm or hot water with a good detergent, while skipping fabric softener. You also want to ensure towels stay fully dry between uses and are spread out on a rack to promote airflow. Additionally, towels made with antimicrobial materials, such as silver-infused fabrics, can help slow and prevent bacterial growth, which helps keep odors from developing as quickly. Below, I’ve rounded up what I’ve found to be the best antibacterial towels.
Best Antibacterial Bath Towels
- Best overall: Miracle Made Bath Towel
- Best bamboo: Misona Zero Twist Bamboo Towels
- Best “smart”: Mizu Smart Bath Towel
- Best Supima Cotton: SÖMN Company Antimicrobial Bath Towel
- Best budget: Threshold Total Fresh Antimicrobial Bath Towel
Best Overall: Miracle Made Bath Towel
Miracle Made takes the title of the best overall because of its combination of exceptional antibacterial properties, high absorbency, and softness. The towel is infused with silver, which helps prevent up to 99.7% of bacterial growth, keeping it fresher for longer than regular towels. That means you won’t have to deal with the dreaded musty smell that towels develop. It absorbs moisture and dries in half the time, which I appreciate, as my usual towels tend to stay damp for far too long.
You can either purchase one towel for $45, or choose a set of two (or four). There is also a full set available that includes two bath towels, two washcloths, and two hand towels. The towel comes in three colors: grey, white, and sky blue. However, I have noticed they are out of stock frequently, so if you’re able to purchase while they’re available, I believe this is a great choice if you’re looking for a towel that feels luxurious, absorbs moisture quickly, dries in half the time, and reduces the frequency of your laundry.
Pros
- Available in three colors
- Highly absorbent
- Available in a full set
- Free USA shipping
- 30-day money-back guarantee
Cons
- Unavailable for delivery in certain locations
Best Bamboo: Misona Zero Twist Bamboo Towels
If you’re unable to get ahold of Miracle Made, bamboo is a great alternate material. If you’re in the market for a towel that is naturally resistant to odor, mold, mildew, and allergens, this towel from Misona is ultrasoft, highly absorbent, and quick-drying. Bamboo is considered 3 to 4 times more absorbent than 100% cotton towels (this towel is 65% cotton, 35% bamboo). Not only is it hypoallergenic and antibacterial, but I love that it is biodegradable thanks to the natural cellulose fiber.
Zero Twist isn’t just a fancy name either – it refers to the method of binding cotton fibers that creates extra softness. So rather than spinning and twisting the cotton fibers together in a traditional way, Zero Twist towels are bound using a water-soluble fiber that dissolves during fabric finishing. This towel is available in three basic colors: grey, green, and white.
Pros
- Available in three colors
- Full set available for purchase
- Free 30-day returns
- Towels are biodegradable
Cons
- Free shipping only available over $100
Best “Smart:” Mizu Smart Bath Towel
If most of your home products are “smart,” you might be delighted to know that your bath towel can also join the elite group! The Mize Smart Bath Towel is infused with natural pure silver fibers that help prevent up to 99% of bacterial growth. They also feature proprietary technology that dries towels 3x faster than average towels, reducing wash cycles. But that’s not where the true smartness lies.
This towel features unique color-changing strips that indicate when it is dirty. They are lined with solvatochromic dye strips that shift from blue to red, helping you determine when it’s ready for a wash. When the strip is blue, it’s all clean. It will transition to purple when it’s approaching needing a wash, and to red when it’s dirty. This eliminates guesswork and helps your towel stay fresh more often.
Pros
- Pure silver threads eliminate 99% of bacteria
- Available in three colors
- Color-changing strips detect dirt
- Absorbs up to 5x its weight in water
Cons
- $100 for one towel when not on sale
Best Supima Cotton: SÖMN Company Antimicrobial Bath Towel
This towel from SÖMN features MICRO-FRESH® antimicrobial treatment to help ensure it remains fresh and hygienic between washes. It is made from 100% Supima Cotton, a highly breathable material that provides excellent airflow and moisture management thanks to its fine fibers. It’s natural, lightweight, and even hypoallergenic, preventing moisture buildup. I love that the towel gets softer with every wash and that it is available in a set of two. I also found it interesting that the wash instructions state to machine wash cold, but towels should be washed in hot water to prevent bacterial growth. This towel is available in six colors, but it doesn’t include matching hand towels or washcloths.
Pros
- Available in six colors
- Comes in a set of two
- OEKO-TEX Standard 100 Certified
- Made with 100% Supima cotton
Cons
- Doesn’t come with matching hand towels or wash cloths
Best Budget: Threshold Total Fresh Antimicrobial Bath Towel
If you’re looking for an antimicrobial towel but are working with a tight budget, the Threshold bath towel is a great choice. This towel is made of 100% cotton with a terry construction that helps promote breathability. It’s heavyweight, but it’s soft and absorbent. I love that it is available in 11 colors, so you can find one that matches your bathroom decor. At under $10, this is a simple, no-frills choice that offers slightly better antimicrobial protection than a basic towel.
Pros
- Budget-friendly at under $10
- Available in 11 colors
- Matching hand towel and washcloth available
- Made in Green by OEKO-TEX®
Cons
- Some users report excessive shedding in the wash
Question: What kills bacteria on towels?
Answer: The biggest bacteria killers for towels are hot water, dryer heat, detergent, and bleach. You should wash towels in hot water to help kill bacteria and loosen body oils. The high heat from the dryer can also help kill any remaining bacteria. Laundry detergent helps break down all of the oil, sweat, and skin cells that get trapped in towels. Bleach is highly effective at killing bacteria, but it is a harsh solution. It can damage your towel’s fibers and reduce its lifespan.
What won’t kill bacteria is cold or lukewarm water, air-drying, or fabric softener. To keep towels truly clean, wash them every three to four uses, use hot water and detergent, dry them fully on high heat, and don’t overload the washer.
Question: How often should you replace your bath towels?
Answer: Most towels should be replaced every 1-3 years, but this will depend on how often they are used, how well they are cared for and washed, and dried. For regular bath towels, I recommend replacing them every 12-36 months, or sooner if you notice a persistent musty odor that returns after washing, reduced absorbency, or rough fabric. However, usage matters. If these towels are used daily, shared, or used at places like the gym, you should consider replacing them closer to every year.
Antimicrobial towels, however, can last up to four years with proper care. Silver-infused towels have this antimicrobial quality built into the fibers, which also doesn’t wash out quickly, so the odor resistance can last for years. It’s important to note that antimicrobial towels slow bacterial growth, but they don’t replace washing wholesa
Question: What’s the best way to dry a towel after use?
Answer: The best way to dry a towel after use is to hang it on a towel rack or towel rod, rather than a hook. When you hang it on a hook, you risk it scrunching up, creating layers that trap moisture. Spread the towel flat over a towel rack or rod to maximize surface area. Ensure your exhaust fan is on during and after your shower to ventilate excess humidity that can create a breeding ground for bacteria on your towel. However, if your bathroom stays humid for hours, you should move the towel to a drier room.
You should absolutely not throw it on the floor, leave it bunched up, hang multiple towels on each other, or use a heated towel rack without proper airflow. A great tip I have to keep towels fresh is to rotate your towels between uses, especially if you shower every day. This allows the previous day’s towel to fully dry before the next use. Don’t forget to wash your towels after every 3-4 uses. A good rule of thumb is that if your towel is still damp by your next shower, it needs to be washed because it didn’t dry properly.
Final Thoughts
If you’re constantly battling musty towels despite frequent washing or dealing with slow-drying times, switching to an antibacterial bath towel can make a noticeable difference. These towels won’t replace good laundry habits, but they will help slow or prevent bacterial growth between washes, resulting in less odor, fewer washes, and fresher towels.
The best choice comes down to what you value most. Silver-infused options like Miracle Made or Mizu are ideal if odor control is your top priority. Bamboo and Supima cotton towels offer a more natural approach with breathable, moisture-resistant fibers, while budget-friendly options like Threshold provide a simple upgrade without a big investment. Prioritizing faster drying, improved airflow, and antimicrobial properties can go a long way toward keeping your towels cleaner and softer day after day.
The post Best Antibacterial Bath Towels appeared first on Penny Pinchin' Mom.
