Do your towels never smell truly fresh, no matter how often you wash them? A lingering musty or sour odor is a red flag. "Even after washing, if your towels have a persistent musty smell, it’s a sign bacteria and mildew have taken hold.
Using such towels can lead to skin infections or worsen conditions like acne and eczema,” Emily Carter explains.
The fix: Wash towels frequently (dermatologists suggest after 3 uses at most). But if odors persist, it’s time to replace them.