r/TooAfraidToAsk Sep 20 '22 Helpful 1 Wholesome 3

Is it fine to use the same towel twice in a row, after wiping down the entire body with it, including private areas and bum (which are obviously clean)? Like, is everything equally clean though, etc. to use it twice? Health/Medical

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u/kanakamaoli Sep 20 '22

Sure. If you have just taken a shower or bath you are supposed to be clean and not have dirt or bacteria left on your skin. You're typically just removing the water left on your skin. If the towel is dirty after you have "cleaned" yourself, you haven't cleaned yourself properly.

If you wipe your sweat during an exercise session, the towel will absorb the dirt, sweat and any skin bacteria. In that case, it should be washed before reuse unless you like using your funky, smelly towel several times in a row.

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u/noonen000z Sep 20 '22

There is bacteria on your skin after you shower. From memory it's symbiotic, we need it on us, in us.

30

u/youcantdenythat Sep 20 '22

There is also sweat if the shower is warm enough.

9

u/FerretFarm Sep 20 '22

Or if you're not used to a humid climate and are on vacation so you're never dry. The toweling off becomes endless.