Fresh or Filthy? Proper Bath Towel Hygiene
Even though your bathroom towels may look clean, they could be holding massive amounts of bacteria and germs. Here's everything to know about how often you should wash your bath towels to keep them in tip-top shape. Plus, the best temperature for getting them the cleanest.
Why do you need to clean your bath towels so often?
When you dry off with towels, they get moist. This porous, damp environment is the perfect breeding ground for bacteria. A common bath towel can have yeast, mold and E. coli growing on it without you ever knowing it. Gross, right? Regular washing prevents bacteria from growing.
LG's WashTower functions as one combined washer and dryer unit.
LG
When should you reuse or wash bathroom towels?
Consumer Reports says that under normal circumstances, a towel can be used three or four times before it needs to be washed. That's "times" not "days." If you have many family members using a towel (like hand towels), it needs to be washed on the third or fourth use.
The condition of the person using the towel matters, too. If they're sick, toss it in the laundry after one use. If it's flu season, it's best for every family member to have their own towel -- even if they aren't exhibiting symptoms -- to prevent the potential spread of germs.
How often you wash towels also depends on how they're dried after usage. If towels find themselves on the floor, the lack of air circulation will cause bacteria to grow quickly. To prolong the life of your towel, be sure to place damp towels on a towel rack. Better yet, crack open a window or turn on the fan to reduce moisture in the room.
Supercharge your dryer by cleaning its vent Supercharge your dryer by cleaning its vent
Click to unmute
Video Player is loading.
Play Video
Play
Skip Backward
Skip Forward
Next playlist item
Unmute
Current Time
0:00
/
Duration
1:37
Loaded :
24.52%
0:00
Stream Type LIVE
Seek to live, currently behind live
LIVE
Remaining Time
-
1:37
Share
Fullscreen
This is a modal window.
Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window.
Text
Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan
Opacity Opaque Semi-Transparent Text Background
Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan
Opacity Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Caption Area Background
Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan
Opacity Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque
Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Drop shadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps
Reset Done
Close Modal Dialog
End of dialog window.
Close Modal Dialog
This is a modal window. This modal can be closed by pressing the Escape key or activating the close button.
Close Modal Dialog
This is a modal window. This modal can be closed by pressing the Escape key or activating the close button.
Supercharge your dryer by cleaning its vent
What temperature is best for washing bath towels?
The Infection Control department of Mid-Western Regional Hospital of Ennis, Ireland, recommends washing towels in water that is at least 140 degrees Fahrenheit (60 degrees Celsius) or more to kill bacteria. So if you have a sanitize mode on your washing machine, use it. If not, you may consider raising the temperature on your water heater while washing that load. Be sure young children are supervised around sinks, tubs and showers while you do laundry, though, to prevent burns.
And, before you reach for the fabric softener, don't. Fabric softener leaves residue on towels that makes them less absorbent.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
19 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Centene's First Quarterly Loss In 13 Years Sends Shares Crashing
Healthcare insurance giant Centene Corporation (NYSE:CNC) saw its stock tumble significantly on Friday after reporting a surprising second-quarter 2025 adjusted loss of 16 cents per share. This stark reversal from an adjusted income of $2.42 per share in the prior year quarter sharply contrasted with analyst expectations of a $1.26 per share profit, marking the company's first quarterly loss since the second quarter of 2012, according to data from Benzinga Pro. Despite the earnings shortfall, Centene demonstrated strong top-line growth, with sales surging 22% year-over-year to $48.74 billion, comfortably exceeding the consensus estimate of $44.48 billion. However, this revenue performance was overshadowed by substantial increases in medical costs.'We are disappointed by our second-quarter results, but we have a clear understanding of the trends that have impacted our performance, and are working with urgency and focus to restore our earnings trajectory,' stated Sarah London, Chief Executive Officer of Centene, acknowledging the challenging quarter. The company's premium and service revenues climbed 18% to $42.5 billion from $36.0 billion a year ago. This growth was primarily fueled by expanding premium and membership in the Prescription Drug Plan (PDP) business, overall market growth in the Marketplace business, and rate increases within the Medicaid segment. These gains, however, were partially offset by a decline in Medicaid membership due due to ongoing redeterminations and reduced net risk adjustment revenue in the Marketplace. View more earnings on CNC A critical factor in the earnings miss was the deterioration of Centene's Health Benefits Ratio (HBR), which climbed to 93.0% in the second quarter of 2025, up from 87.6% in the corresponding period last year. This increase primarily stemmed from a reduction in the company's estimated net 2025 Marketplace risk adjustment revenue transfer, escalating medical costs within the Marketplace, higher Medicaid medical costs driven by behavioral health services, home health, and high-cost drugs, and an increase in the 2025 Medicare Advantage premium deficiency reserve as earnings progressed through the year. Total membership across Centene's diverse portfolio declined to 28 million from 28.48 million a year ago, predominantly due to a reduction in Medicaid membership from 13.14 million to 12.82 million. Conversely, the company experienced strong membership growth in other key areas, with Marketplace enrollment increasing 33% to 5.86 million and Medicare PDP expanding 19% to 7.85 million compared to the second quarter of 2024. Earlier in July, Centene had already signaled potential headwinds by withdrawing its 2025 GAAP and adjusted diluted EPS guidance, following an initial review of 2025 industry data from Wakely, an independent actuarial firm. The company announced that it would provide updated guidance during its earnings conference call. Centene's stock performance this quarter mirrors a broader trend within the healthcare insurance sector, as evidenced by the recent decline in shares of competitors like Elevance Health Inc. (NYSE:ELV) and Cigna following their own earnings reports. Elevance Health notably saw its stock plummet after missing analyst expectations for its second-quarter 2025 adjusted earnings and significantly lowering its full-year guidance, despite strong revenue growth. In premarket trading on Friday, Centene's stock plummeted 14.5% to $22.89, falling below its previous 52-week low of $26.66. The continued downward pressure underscores significant investor concern over the unexpected quarterly loss and the challenging operational environment impacting the healthcare insurance industry. Read Next:Image via Shutterstock Up Next: Transform your trading with Benzinga Edge's one-of-a-kind market trade ideas and tools. Click now to access unique insights that can set you ahead in today's competitive market. Get the latest stock analysis from Benzinga? CENTENE (CNC): Free Stock Analysis Report This article Centene's First Quarterly Loss In 13 Years Sends Shares Crashing originally appeared on © 2025 Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved. Error while retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error while retrieving data Error while retrieving data Error while retrieving data Error while retrieving data
Yahoo
19 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Lilly completes acquisition of Verve Therapeutics to advance one-time treatments for people with high cardiovascular risk
INDIANAPOLIS, July 25, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE: LLY) today announced the successful completion of its acquisition of Verve Therapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq: VERV). Verve is a Boston-based clinical-stage company developing genetic medicines for cardiovascular disease. "This acquisition unlocks the opportunity to potentially transform the treatment paradigm for millions of patients worldwide by delivering lifelong cardiovascular risk reduction with a one-and-done treatment," said Ruth Gimeno, Lilly group vice president, Diabetes and Metabolic Research and Development. "We are excited to welcome Verve colleagues to Lilly and work together to develop innovative genetic medicines for cardiometabolic disease." About LillyLilly is a medicine company turning science into healing to make life better for people around the world. We've been pioneering life-changing discoveries for nearly 150 years, and today our medicines help tens of millions of people across the globe. Harnessing the power of biotechnology, chemistry and genetic medicine, our scientists are urgently advancing new discoveries to solve some of the world's most significant health challenges: redefining diabetes care; treating obesity and curtailing its most devastating long-term effects; advancing the fight against Alzheimer's disease; providing solutions to some of the most debilitating immune system disorders; and transforming the most difficult-to-treat cancers into manageable diseases. With each step toward a healthier world, we're motivated by one thing: making life better for millions more people. That includes delivering innovative clinical trials that reflect the diversity of our world and working to ensure our medicines are accessible and affordable. To learn more, visit and or follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn. F-LLY Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking StatementsThis press release contains forward-looking statements regarding Lilly's acquisition of Verve, regarding prospective benefits of the acquisition and Verve's gene editing programs for cardiovascular disease, regarding Verve's product candidates and ongoing clinical and preclinical development, and regarding Lilly's development of programs for cardiovascular disease and advancement of cardiometabolic health medicines. All statements other than statements of historical fact are statements that could be deemed forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements reflect current beliefs and expectations; however, these statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties, including with respect to drug research, development and commercialization, Lilly's evaluation of the accounting treatment of the acquisition and its potential impact on its financial results and financial guidance, regulatory changes and developments, the impact of global macroeconomic conditions, including trade and other global disputes and interruptions, including related to tariffs, trade protection measures, and similar restrictions, risks that the acquisition disrupts current plans and operations or adversely affect employee retention, and any legal proceedings that have been or may be instituted related to the acquisition. Actual results could differ materially due to various factors, risks and uncertainties. Among other things, there can be no guarantee that Lilly will realize the expected benefits of the acquisition, that product candidates will be approved on anticipated timelines or at all, that any products, if approved, will be commercially successful, that all or any of the contingent consideration will become payable on the terms described herein or at all, that Lilly's financial results will be consistent with its expected 2025 guidance or that Lilly can reliably predict the impact of the acquisition on its financial results or financial guidance. For further discussion of these and other risks and uncertainties, see Lilly's most recent Form 10-K and Form 10-Q filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Except as required by law, Lilly undertakes no duty to update forward-looking statements to reflect events after the date of this press release. Refer to: Ashley Hennessey; gentry_ashley_jo@ 317-416-4363 (Media)Michael Czapar; czapar_michael_c@ 317-617-0983 (Investors) View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Eli Lilly and Company Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Yahoo
19 minutes ago
- Yahoo
PHOTO ESSAY: Many Californians lack safe tap water and don't trust cleanup efforts
THERMAL, Calif. (AP) — Agustin and Ricarda Toledo loaded eight empty 5-gallon jugs onto their truck and drove to a water store some 14 miles from their Southern California home, just as they've done almost weekly for years. The couple, originally from Mexico, planned to make dozens of chicken tamales for their five children and 13 grandchildren that weekend, and the limited flow of clean, safe water from their home filter wouldn't suffice. 'We can't consume the water; we can't use it' to drink or cook, said Ricarda, a retired farmworker whose family lives in and co-owns a mobile home park, speaking in Spanish. 'We'd like to have potable water." In the agriculturally rich Eastern Coachella Valley, water is a source of worry. What flows from many people's taps contains health-damaging arsenic, and in areas where the issue has been resolved, distrust about the tap water lingers. Many rely on water donations or drive miles to fill water jugs and buy packs of bottles. Residents here are mostly low-income Latino and Indigenous farmworkers whose only affordable housing options are mobile home parks served by small, outdated systems more likely to violate drinking water rules. Luz Gallegos, executive director of Training Occupational Development Educating Communities, or TODEC, an immigrant and farmworker justice group, said people live in places with contaminated water because they have no other choice. 'Our community right now is not thinking of prevention. Our community is thinking of survival,' Gallegos said. More than a decade after California legislatively recognized that all residents have the right to clean water, more than 878,000 people were connected to failing water systems, many of which can increase their risk of cancer or other serious health issues, according to 2024 state data, the last year available. The Environmental Protection Agency has been working with a local nonprofit to restore safe drinking water to some Eastern Coachella residents. Last year, the agency announced that more than 900 people could safely drink and cook with tap water again. Distrust of tap water is widespread Many still fear the tap — an issue not unique to the area. Flint, Michigan's water crisis that began in 2014 eroded public trust of government and tap water. Even after high levels of lead were reduced to well below a state threshold, many residents still won't drink or cook with it. It's a distrust most common among non-white populations, research shows. A recent study on drinking water behaviors and perceptions in Evanston, Illinois, a suburban city north of Chicago, found, in part, that people who drank mostly bottled water were more likely to be Black, Indigenous or other people of color. Compared with white respondents, they were more than three times more likely to distrust tap water. The finding that minority groups in Evanston were more likely to distrust tap water was 'remarkably consistent' with research elsewhere, said Sera Young, a study co-author and co-director at the Center for Water Research at Northwestern University. 'It's a global phenomenon,' Young said. Respondents' main concern was contamination. A lack of trust in government and negative experiences with water were among other reasons. 'People who thought that they had been harmed by their water in the past were more likely to think they would be harmed by the water in future,' Young said. That's true for Martha. For 18 years, she and her husband lived in the Eastern Coachella Valley's Oasis Mobile Home Park, where the EPA found high levels of naturally occurring arsenic in the tap water in 2019. Martha, who is in the country illegally and spoke under the condition that only her middle name be used, said the water sometimes smelled like rotten eggs. An itchy rash would sometimes break out over her body when she showered, and her hair would fall off in clumps. She thinks the water was to blame. Martha and her family now live in a new place and have been told the tap water is safe to consume. "We don't trust it,' Martha said. They buy water at stores or pick up bottled water at one of TODEC's offices, where plastic-wrapped packs cram a closet. The group provides free water to many of the area's residents and organizes know-your-rights workshops in farm fields, among other things. Perceptions can cause cascading effects Anisha Patel, a pediatrics professor at Stanford University who has studied drinking water access and tap water perceptions for years, said immigrants from countries with unsafe tap water can also bring those perceptions here and low-income families are more likely to distrust the tap because they may live in older homes. These perceptions can have significant negative impacts. People are more likely to consume sugary drinks, eat out and spend limited money on bottled water — upward of 10% of their household income, said Patel. Microplastics found in containers like bottled water, researchers are learning, may be harmful. Then there's the environmental impacts — single-use bottled beverages create enormous waste. Convincing people to drink from the tap is not easy, but experts have some recommendations based on their research findings. That includes government funding to improve plumbing in people's homes and investing in community-trusted groups to implement water testing programs and educational campaigns, said Silvia R. González, co-director of research at the UCLA Latino Politics and Policy Institute who lead a study in 2023 exploring drinking water distrust in Latino communities. 'It's been something that we've been trying to understand for the past 10, 15 years now, and I don't think we're closer to solving the issue, but we definitely see similarities across different communities,' especially among immigrant, Spanish-speaking and other non-English-speaking groups, González said. Back in the California desert, water jugs and stacked packs of bottled water are a common sight inside and outside homes. The kitchen in Virgilio Galarza Rodriguez's mobile home is cramped by bottled water — boxes and shrink-wrapped packs piled four high, a drinking water dispenser topped by a 5-gallon (19-liter) jug with a spare nearby and more loose bottles scattered around. The Galarzas, raising three boys, drank and cooked with tap water 16 years before a 2021 inspection by the EPA revealed arsenic at levels more than six times the federal limit. Despite now having filters and regular water tests, the family still worries. 'They tell us it's safe to drink, but we don't really trust it,' Galarza said, speaking in Spanish. ___ The Associated Press receives support from the Walton Family Foundation for coverage of water and environmental policy. The AP is solely responsible for all content. For all of AP's environmental coverage, visit Solve the daily Crossword
