Although it may seem like there are no options for your wet towels in a small bathroom, there are some ways that you can organize your space so that they can fully dry out of the way of everything else.
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Where to Hang Wet Towels in a Small Bathroom?
When you are trying to decide where your towels should hang, it is important to consider:
- How much space do I have? Assess not only how much floor space you have, but also wall space. The height of your bathroom matters too because for taller bathrooms, you can potentially install storage higher up.
- How can I make sure that my pets and kids don’t get ahold of my wet towels? It’s important that your wet towels aren’t disturbed so they can stay clean while drying.
- What is my budget? Depending on your budget, you can have anything from a simple hanging bar to customized towel storage.
- How many towels will I need to hang? Also, consider how many towels you would like to have hanging at one time. You may use two towels yourself or may have other people sharing the bathroom with you.
- What is my style? There are a variety of styles and materials that may suit your personal taste.
11 Bathroom Towel Hanging Ideas
When deciding where to hang wet towels after shower time, consider these options as a way to improve the functionality of your small bathroom:
1. Hook Rack
If you have a wall that is free of small items or surfaces, consider installing a towel hook rack to hold your wet towels.
In addition to your towels, since a rack will have about 4 to 8 hooks on it, you should be able to hang other items such as a robe and other clothing items on it.
This is also a good solution for households where many people use the smaller bathroom and many towels will need space to dry.
2. Towel Ring
A towel ring is most often used for wet hand towels but can also work for hanging a wet bath towel if it is large and sturdy enough.
The rings are generally less expensive than other solutions and will provide you with some space to dry your towels without taking up too much space.
3. Towel Bar
A towel bar is a great option if you have the necessary wall space and budget. It can be mounted right on your bathroom wall for quick access to your wet towels.
One great benefit of using a towel bar is that the towel is spread out across the bar and can dry quickly and evenly. This helps to prevent mildew, which can cause towels to smell.
4. Towel Tree
A towel tree is very similar to a coat rack, but it is made to hold towels. This option allows you to hang multiple wet towels on a stand that has arms or hooks.
A towel tree will provide a lot of room to dry your towels and doesn’t require wall space to work. It can also be moved, so you can feel free to place it in or out of your bathroom depending on your space needs.
5. Use a Basket
Using a basket for your wet towels is another great way to create a drying space and is a fashionable option for those that prefer a more decorative bathroom.
The basket can be placed on the floor, placed on a shelf, or even mounted to a wall. Make sure not to ball up your towel too tightly when placing it in the basket so it has ventilation and can dry.
This solution won’t work as well if several people are storing their towels in the same basket, since it won’t allow for enough air circulation.
6. Use a Stool
A simple stool can be an ingenious solution for a wet towel. Just lay it out over the stool when you’re done with your shower and allow it to dry.
Make sure that you use a sturdy stool so the weight of the towel doesn’t cause it to fall over. You’ll also want to make sure that the material of the stool is durable for a wet towel and won’t degrade or warp over time.
This option is great because the stool provides seating and will have dual functionality, which is very important in a small space.
7. Over-the-Door Towel Hooks
If you don’t want to drill holes or add adhesives to your walls, an over-the-door hook will be a great choice. These hooks clip onto doors and can hold multiple towels or a single towel, depending on what kind you buy.
The hooks are great because they are easy to install, remove, and move around as needed.
Sometimes they may cause damage to the doorframe, so make sure to use these only if you’re okay with the possibility of a little bit of damage or if you’re willing to do the research to see which ones are the best.
8. Shower Door Hooks
If you have a shower door instead of a rod in your bathroom, you can use shower door hooks to hold your wet towels.
These are just like over-the-door hooks, except they attach directly to the top of your shower door and can hold a heavier towel.
You may need to add rubber stops or adhesive on the bottom of the hooks in order for them to stay in place on the glass shower door.
A benefit of this method is that it allows for the towels to drip into your tub which can prevent any floor damage or dangerous slippery puddles in the walking areas of your smaller bathroom.
9. Use a Clothes Hanger
If you have a small linen closet in your bathroom, that may be a great place to hang your wet towel.
If it doesn’t already have one, you can install a tension rod and purchase a couple of hangers.
Make sure to pick out hangers that are made from sturdy materials since wet towels tend to be heavy and may bend thinner plastic hangers.
10. Use Shower Suction Cup Hooks
Another great option is to use suction cup hooks in your shower. These are like other bathroom suction hooks, except they’re made to hold wet towels and are made specifically for shower use.
Be sure not to buy the cheapest hooks, since they aren’t meant for heavy-duty use. If you buy a great brand, these can hold up to five pounds and will be able to handle larger wet towels.
Much like the shower door hooks mentioned above, a benefit of these hooks is that they make sure that your towel is drying directly in your shower and won’t make a mess or get the bathroom wet.
11. Use A Towel Stand
A towel stand is another great way to hang your towels when you don’t have any other space and don’t want to install a holder on your walls.
This item is quite similar to the towel tree but instead has one or more horizontal bars that you can lay a towel flatly across.
Much like the towel bar, this is one of the best options if you want to make sure your towel dries evenly and quickly.
What Makes Wet Towels Smell?
There are a couple of reasons why a wet towel will begin to smell. First off, each time we use our towels, we transfer small amounts of body debris and fluid onto the towel.
Although we feel we are completely clean, these microscopic amounts of body oils and dead skin are still there, and are then wiped away. Over time, this can create an odor if the towel isn’t washed regularly.
Improperly hanging a towel to dry will also create odor issues and develop mold and bacteria. There are also improper areas to place towels in, such as high-humidity areas.
In general, make sure you hang your towels in a well-ventilated area and avoid the possibility of any water damage or standing moisture.
Leaving your towels in the washing machine also has a big effect on the odor of your towels. Towels that are allowed to sit in the washing machine for days at a time can develop mold and bacteria, which will make your towels smell.
You will likely have to wash your towel again (or maybe even two more times) so that it will return to a neutral mold-free smell.
You can improve the smell of your towels by adding a cup of baking soda to your wash cycle. If you are washing in hot water, use half the amount since this is an abrasive cleaner and can damage your fabric.
When Should I Replace My Bath Towels?
Bath towels tend to last between 2 and 5 years. Of course, this all depends on how often you use and wash your towels. If you’re using a towel multiple times per day (especially if it’s a smaller bath towel), you should plan to replace your towels more often.
It’s also important to take good care of your towels as well as follow proper washing instructions. For example, if you’re not following a color-safe laundry detergent and adding bleach to your wash water when necessary, your towel will wear out at a faster rate.
You’ll know that your towel is ready to be replaced when it begins to lose its fluffiness, sheds excessive lint, and is very thin.
You may also notice that it becomes harder to wash odors out of your towel with everyday detergents, or that your towels take longer to dry after they’ve been washed.
How Often Should I Wash My Towels?
If your towels are used daily, you should wash them every two days to one week. Washing your towels after three uses is a good rule of thumb.
Most people wait until they begin to notice an odor or texture change before washing their towels. However, they start developing colonies of mold and bacteria well before you can detect them.
Where Should I Store My Dry Towels?
When storing dry towels in a small bathroom, it’s best to place them in a cabinet under the sink, a cabinet mounted to the wall or a linen closet.
If you have a linen closet, you can either place your towels on a shelf or add a tension rod so that you can hang them.
Make sure to organize them well so it’s easy to quickly grab a bath towel, hand towel, or washcloth at a moment’s convenience.
If there isn’t any storage installed in your bathroom space, you can add your own storage such as an over-the-toilet organizer, a side table with towel storage, or a shelving unit.
Baskets are another great way to stylishly store your dry towels in your smaller bathroom. They come in many different sizes, shapes, colors, and materials.
You can purchase baskets with lids or let your towels stick out of an open basket so they are easy to grab.
This option is great if you have guests over to share the bathroom, since they can then take their basket in and out of the bathroom and even use it for their toiletries and wet towels.
Final Thoughts
Wet towels are a challenging item to work with in larger spaces, let alone smaller ones! You want to make sure your towel stays clean, good smelling, and doesn’t drip water all over the bathroom floor to make sure you and your other housemates are safe.
Luckily, there are several options that you can use to adapt your smaller bathroom to accommodate wet towels.
Consider trying some of the more affordable, less invasive options on this list and see how they work before trying something more permanent.
If all else fails, you can hang your wet towel in another room in your home, such as in a nearby bedroom.
While this isn’t the best solution, it will free up room for you to enjoy your bathroom and ensure that your towels dry fully before their next use.
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