Walk into a typical bathroom—towel chaos. Overflowing cabinets, mystery towels that never see daylight, and enough fabric to keep a small village dry. Why do so many of us have more towels than we’ll use in a month? Minimalism’s about flipping that script: finding freedom (and shelf space) by having just what you need, nothing more.
Breaking Down Towel Needs: Function, Frequency, and Practicality
It’s wild, but the average person owns at least eight bath towels. But do you ever reach for towel number seven? Probably not. If you strip away extras, what matters for a minimalist is function, not abundance. Here’s what actually makes sense: one body towel, one hand towel, one washcloth per person living in your home. Add a spare set for guests or laundry delays. That’s it—magic number? Two of each type, per person.
Let’s get real: most of us do laundry at least weekly. If you don’t, or you’ve got a pet like my cat Socks (who’s notorious for commandeering fresh towels for naps), adding one extra towel for mishaps isn’t overkill. If you work out daily, you might want a dedicated, quick-dry gym towel so you’re not mixing sweaty towels with your nice bath set.
You can take it even further. After the Japanese minimalist Marie Kondo’s Netflix debut, thousands started asking: “Do I even need more than one towel?” Minimalists who go extreme will say one body towel is enough—washed and reused. But for most people, especially if you don’t want to run the washing machine every other day, sticking to two bath towels and two hand towels per person is comfy without being over the top.
Okay, but what about guests? Legendary etiquette expert Emily Post once said,
“A good host always keeps an extra towel or two on hand. It’s a tiny thing that gestures big welcome.”But unless you’re hosting parties every weekend, two extra towels in the closet should cover it.
Some folks, especially families, hold on to stacks of spare towels for muddy paws, beach trips, or mopping up unexpected spills. Instead of keeping a random pile, use one older towel as a ‘utility’ towel and retire it as soon as it’s threadbare. Anything beyond this is just clutter disguised as preparedness.
Minimalism by the Numbers: The Best Quantity for Each Towel Type
Let’s talk numbers. Minimalism isn’t about deprivation, but intentional choices. Here’s what works:
- Bath Towels – 2 per person (one to use, one to rotate)
- Hand Towels – 2 per bathroom or per person
- Washcloths – 2-3 per person
- Guest Towels – 2 extra, total
- Specialty Towels (gym/beach) – 1 per person, only if truly needed
Say it’s just you in a studio apartment: you could live perfectly fine with 2 bath towels, 2 washcloths, and 1-2 hand towels. I know a couple who downsized to a tiny house—just 250 square feet. They keep two towels each and swear their bathroom has never felt so zen. Their secret? Washing every three or four days and hanging the towels to dry out between uses.
Families can use the same logic, multiplying per person, but don’t be scared to mix up the numbers if you notice towels never actually make it into the laundry bin. If you’ve got a toddler who treats every pool visit as an Olympic event, a dedicated beach towel saves headaches—and keeps daily-use towels fresh.
Keep an honest tally. If you’re always digging for a dry towel mid-week, add one—but remember, each extra towel means higher laundry piles and less closet space, which isn’t very minimalist.
One cool trick: color coding. Each person picks one color, so mix-ups become history. Guests get a neutral shade, so it’s easy to identify what needs a wash after a visit.
If you want to stretch the life of your towels, go for quick-dry materials like microfiber. They need less space, dry in hours, and don’t get musty. Plus, microfiber is ideal for smaller apartments where airflow might not be brilliant.
How to Choose Minimalist Towels Without Sacrificing Comfort
Forget the idea that a minimalist towel means scratchy or threadbare. Comfort matters. You want your towels to be absorbent, quick-drying, and easy on the skin, especially if you have sensitive types—my Socks loves a soft towel as much as anyone and has been found snoozing on my fluffiest ones.
When shopping, look for towels made from Turkish or Egyptian cotton if you want that extra bit of luxury—the kind hotels use and guests always rave about. Or, if you value sustainability, check out organic cotton towels or bamboo blends. They last a long time and dry quickly, which is perfect when you have fewer towels in rotation.
Quality matters more than quantity. One well-made towel beats a dozen cheap ones that fall apart within six months. Studies in 2023 from the International Association of Home Ecologists found that higher-quality towels outlast cheaper ones by at least two years—even with frequent washing.
If you’re new to minimalist living, resist bulk-buying towels because they’re on sale. Big-box stores will tempt you with packs of twelve, but each one added eats up precious bathroom space. Instead, buy towels as you need them. Notice a shortage? Add one—don’t stockpile.
Minimalism is also about function. A bath sheet (those really oversized towels) might seem like a treat, but they fill up the washing machine quicker and hog closet real estate. Standard-size bath towels get the job done, dry out faster, and leave space for everything else. Plus, they’re easier to fold and store in those narrow bathroom shelves.
Laundering becomes less of a chore, too: fewer towels, more space in the hamper, and fewer loads to run. That matters for energy bills and time management alike. Another tip, hang up your towel so it dries between uses—prevents mildew and stretches the life out.
Minimalist Towel Care and Organization Hacks to Make Life Easier
If you’ve trimmed your towel stash, next up is keeping what you have in great shape. Buy some sturdy, wall-mounted towel hooks—they beat racks for airflow and keep towels fresher longer. Hooks are also neater (Socks, my cat, can’t yank towels off like she can with bar racks—bonus points for pet owners).
Wash towels every three to five days. It keeps them soft, and you catch smells before they set in. Some folks swear by a splash of white vinegar in the rinse cycle—it’s a simple, natural hack for fluffier towels and keeping colors bright.
When towels start looking scruffy, don’t toss them straight away. Cut them into rags for cleaning or donate gently used towels to animal shelters (Socks’ favorite charity). A lot of shelters need old towels for bedding and recovery care, so your used linens get a second life helping out a critter in need.
Make storing easier with a small, dedicated basket, shelf, or drawer for towels only. Roll them—not fold—for quick drying and easy grab-and-go. If you like hyper-organization, baskets labeled "Clean" and "Used" keep the guesswork out of laundry day.
Space savers are your friend. Over-door hooks, small, stackable cubes, or even under-sink bins work wonders in tiny apartments or minimalist homes. Why let towels sprawl all over when you can keep them corralled and tidy?
Towel maintenance is also about regular replacement. Experts recommend swapping bath towels every two to three years, hand towels every year or so, especially if they start thinning. The Mayo Clinic backs this up, saying,
“Fresh, clean towels are key for good skin health. Replace them regularly and wash after three uses.”
So, how many towels should a minimalist have? Just enough to cover your needs, nothing hiding in the back of your closet. A couple of quality towels, cared for and organized, can handle every drying-off, spill, or snowy socks moment life throws at you—and leave you with less to clean, buy, and stash. That’s minimalism in a nutshell, and honestly, give it a shot: less mess, more space, and maybe, an extra shelf for your pet’s favorite sun patch.
