This is how often you should really be washing your towels

How often do you wash yours?

There's no better way to wind down from a tough day at work than a nice hot bubble bath, and after learning how many calories you can burn in the bath the idea of a daily soak in the tub became even more desirable - and even the science behind why your fingers get wrinkly isn't enough to put us off.

But have you ever stopped to think about whether you're washing your bath towel enough?

We know, we know, surely it can't need washing that much given that you're clean once you get out of the bath - right?

A weekly wash will suffice, yeah?

We hate to be the bearers of bad news, but you should actually be washing your bath towels every two to three baths in order to keep it clean and avoid picking up any wanted bacteria.

'When you say you wash off bacteria, you're partially correct - you wash of some bacteria' says Philip Tierno, PhD, clinical professor of pathology and microbiology at NYU School of Medicine.

What we don't account for is that 'it keeps building up as you use the towel again day after day,' adds Chuck Gerba, PhD microbiology professor at the University of Arizona.

Dr Gerba also led a study that found used hand towels have 1,000 more bacteria than newly bought ones, as bacteria love dark and moist environments - such as your bathroom - which is why a wash every two to three uses is recommended.

Acne suffers may even want to consider washing their towels after ever use as 'when you use a towel vigorously, you scratch your skin,' says Dr Gerba.

Another way to cut down bacteria coming into contact with your towel is by letting your towel fully air-dry and not folding it as you dry it.