How often do you wash your hair? You could be doing it all wrong – and you’re storing your towel after wrong too
While daily showers are routine for many, others might see them as excessive. However, showering every day doesn’t necessarily mean you’re washing your hair daily.
The question “Is it bad to wash my hair every day?” is a common one we’ve probably all Googled. Now, one expert is weighing in.
According to shower specialist Emily Robertson from Mira Showers, washing your hair daily could actually be doing more harm than good.
Emily explains: “Many people believe daily washing is the only way to keep hair looking fresh, but overwashing can actually make things worse. Shampoo strips the scalp of natural oils, and in response, the scalp produces more oil, creating a greasy cycle that’s hard to break.
“Typically, you only need to wash your hair a couple of times a week. Of course, everyone has different preferences and circumstances, and some may choose to wash more often due to exercising or working in physically labour-intensive careers.”
If you’re looking to cut back on how often you shampoo, the expert recommends washing your hair 2–3 times a week and using dry shampoo between washes. In another suggestion, she notes that you could also try opting for a “gentle, sulphate-free shampoo that won’t strip the hair of natural oils”.
This way, you are looking after your hair and scalp. “The scalp, after all, is an extension of the skin, yet it is often overlooked”, she said, adding: “Overwashing or using shampoos that are too strong can irritate follicles and contribute to hair thinning.”
For this reason, taking a “tailored approach” is the most effective way to wash your hair. Also, don’t forget to change your towel regularly, she reminds people, with a recent study by Mira revealing that one in five people (21%) only wash their towels once a month.
Dr Ali warns: “I would advise against reusing dirty towels because once a towel becomes damp, it quickly turns into an ideal breeding ground for bacteria and fungi. Putting that same towel back onto the skin – especially if it’s already dry or irritated – significantly increases the risk of breakouts or infection.
“Sharing towels makes this even riskier, as it can spread skin conditions between people. Treating towels as part of basic hygiene and swapping them out every couple of days is a straightforward way to support healthier skin.”
Wrapping up her advice, Emily recommends washing your towel after every three uses and stresses the importance of hanging them up, spread out, to dry completely between uses.
“You should definitely avoid leaving them bunched on the floor or on a radiator,” she warns, as this can lead to increased bacteria growth.
So will you change how often you wash your hair or change your towel? Let us know in the comments.