Towels are in near-constant contact with water and humidity, which fosters the onset of unpleasant odours. Cleaning them daily isn’t just unnecessary; it also wastes resources. Before washing them, we can use them several times, unless they get very dirty.
However, if you want to keep your towels perfectly fresh and clean between washes, there’s a very simple and natural way to do it: you only need alcohol, water, and a few drops of an essential oil with disinfectant properties.
The formula to refresh towels
If your towels become damp and you notice they’re not perfectly fresh, this trick is for you. It was shared by chemical engineer Diego Fernández on his Instagram account (@quimicosparahogar), and it is an incredibly easy-to-make and practical formula to spray towels before each use. “Reduces the growth of bacteria and keeps your towel smelling delicious,” he says.
Here is how he does it:
To prepare this refreshing and sanitising formula, you only need three ingredients:
- 50 ml of alcohol (the kind you likely have at home for disinfecting wounds).
- 20 drops of essential oil (eucalyptus, tea tree, or rosemary).
- 100 ml of filtered or bottled water (it’s best to avoid tap water as it can carry impurities that make the formula spoil faster).
You just need to pour all these ingredients into a spray container and shake well before use.
“Spread the towel and spray it on both sides before each use,” recommends the expert.
Essential oils with antimicrobial properties
For the formula to be truly effective, it’s best to use essential oils that not only smell pleasant but also have antimicrobial properties. This is why Fernández advises using one of the following three:
- Oregano essential oil: Wait—this line will be corrected below to the accurate oils listed in the article.
- Eucalyptus essential oil: derived from the steam distillation or cold pressing of fresh leaves and branches of the eucalyptus tree (native to Australia and New Guinea), it has strong antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects. The spray, besides refreshing towels, can be used to disinfect rooms where someone who is ill has slept or simply as a natural air freshener. Its aroma is fresh, camphor-like and invigorating, with mentholated and woody notes.
- Rosemary essential oil: this Mediterranean herb, besides being antimicrobial, also has anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and analgesic properties. The essential oil is typically obtained from the flowering stems. It has an intense, herbaceous aroma with subtle earthy and pine notes. It is energising and fresh, evocative of Mediterranean herbs.
- Tea tree essential oil: renowned for its antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral and anti-inflammatory properties, it is one of the most popular and widely used essential oils. Derived from the tea tree, a shrub in the myrtle family native to Australia. Its potent, medicinal and fresh aroma is dominated by fresh, woody and lightly spicy notes.
How often should towels be washed?
The formula we’ve seen does not replace washing towels, it only refreshes them while we use them. Washing them properly is essential to prevent the overgrowth of microorganisms and infections or skin irritations they can cause, but what is the appropriate frequency for cleaning towels?
The ideal frequency will depend on the usage and storage of the towels. It isn’t the same towel used only to dry off after a shower and left hanging properly to dry, as one left damp and piled up for hours. Nevertheless, as a general rule, experts suggest not extending their use beyond a week.
To remove dirt and microorganisms effectively from the towel, it is best done with detergent and hot water (60°C) and then allow it to dry completely before storing it.
