Changing towels every day isn’t necessary—after many years, even the hotel star rating system has caught up with this reality. IMAGE: Pexels

But how often should a towel be washed?

Dermatologists confirm that changing a shower towel after just one use is completely unnecessary. But does it even need to be washed at all? Yes.

Dermatologists often recommend changing it after three to five uses.

The reason: Even if you only use the towel right after showering, dead skin cells, germs, and dirt can accumulate in it. In some cases, germs from the toilet (e.g., from flushing) can also be stirred up, and if they land on the towel, they’ll find the perfect environment to multiply in the warm, humid atmosphere of a bathroom.

Tip: A bad smell is a sure sign—in that case, the towel definitely belongs in the laundry!

Hotel Towel Replacement Policy—What Changed in 2025

The rule that you toss used towels on the floor and leave the others hanging has been around since I was a child (and that was a long time ago). However, the criteria for hotel star ratings were recently updated in the 2025–2030 catalog.

The current regulation from the Hotelstars Union for Europe states:

• Daily room cleaning remains a mandatory criterion for all star categories. Guests may only be given an opt-out option (read more about this in our article on criticism of the star catalog)
• When it comes to towels, however, the policy has shifted to an opt-in system. Towels are no longer automatically changed daily. Instead, the new rule is: “Towel change on demand”—that is, towel changes at the guest’s request.

Here’s how to show that your towel can stay

The classic rule still applies: Hang your towel back on the towel rack or hook.

A quick tip from personal experience: If you spread your towel out to dry over a chair or in front of the window, it’s often not clear to housekeeping whether you want to keep using it. Many housekeeping staff then opt to replace it just to be safe. If, on the other hand, the towel is hanging back in its original spot, the signal is usually clear.

This simple step is enough to avoid unnecessary laundry and thus save water, detergent, and resources.