The big mistake you're making when hanging your bath towel

After a shower, you may not give a second thought to how you hang your towel after you use it.

But that one simple move you're making in the bathroom could be a big mistake, leading to mildew festering in your towels.

Laundry experts suggest the best way to avoid that damp, sour smell is to take care when hanging towels.

Ashley Kidder, laundry expert and founder of Mountains of Laundry told Real Simple, "After every use, I always tell clients to hang towels fully open (not folded over) so air can circulate."

Folding the towel over a bar is OK, but make sure the sides aren't touching at all to ensure the towel dries evenly.

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Cleaning expert Gerardo Mellado added that giving the towel a shake before hanging releases damp fibers that have clumped together, which improves air circulation and drying time.

Where not to hang towels to dry

Another mistake many make is the location where they hang their towels.

While using a designated towel rod or hook is fine, hanging the towel on the rod inside the shower is the worst mistake to make.

Kidder says placing the damp towel over the rod can make it seem like it's dry but in the middle it stays damp and creates "a mildew party."

The problem lies in "the steam and lack of airflow up there. Towels tend to sit in a humid spot, especially if you close the curtain afterward."

The other place towels shouldn't be hung is behind the door, which has little airflow and traps moisture.

Putting them in the laundry basket while still damp is also a bad idea because they won't dry fully, resulting in mildew both on the towel and the other clothes in the hamper.

Where to hang towels to dry

When installing a towel rack, make sure to hang them in areas with good ventilation, like under a window or a fan.

Another smart idea is to have individual towel hooks for each family member. This way, the towels aren't piled on top of each other so they can dry more easily.

Washing towels

Even after following all these steps to prevent mildew growing, you still need to wash your towels.

Kidder says that a good rule of thumb to follow is to wash them every three to four uses.

If you live in a humid climate, your bathroom doesn't get airflow, or your towels still won't dry evenly when hung, you need to wash them more often. In this case Mellado suggests washing them every two days.

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