‘I imagine you put your mouth on his genitals… What on earth is the issue?’

This is one of the top responses to a dilemma shared online by a wife, who wants to know if it’s acceptable to be upset with her husband as he keeps using her towel.

She writes: ‘Am I being unreasonable to think husband should use his own towel when showering/bathing? I’ve told him so many times to use his own towel.

‘He just doesn’t seem to get it. I only changed the towels this weekend and now he has used both of ours, so I’m going to have to get another clean towel tomorrow morning!’

People were split 50/50 in the comments as to whether or not the anonymous Mumsnet user was overreacting, with some agreeing it would ‘annoy’ them too, as it’s ‘not hard’ to reach for your own towel.

However, others thought it was ‘ludicrous’ to worry about this when you’re sharing a home, a bed, and bodily fluids with someone. 

While the woman assured people her frustration was more about her husband ignoring her wishes, than about him being dirty, experts have warned there are actually some very grim repercussions that can occur when two people share a towel. 

Dr Hussain Ahmad, who works for click2pharmacy, told Metro: ‘From a medical point of view, it’s best to use your own towel where you can.

‘Sharing towels might seem harmless, especially between couples, but towels stay damp for a while after use, and that warm, moist environment is ideal for bacteria and fungi to grow, especially if the towel doesn’t dry out properly between uses.

‘If one person has a skin condition like athlete’s foot, fungal infections, or even a bacterial issue like impetigo or folliculitis, it can be passed on quite easily. Even things like cold sores or warts can in theory be transmitted this way, though that’s less common.’

He continues to say: ‘The worst thing that could happen is you pass on an infection that keeps bouncing between you both, or ends up needing treatment. Fungal infections between toes or in the groin area are common with shared towels. 

‘That said, the risk is fairly low if both people are generally healthy and the towels are washed regularly and left to dry properly. It’s more of an issue if someone’s got an active infection or skin issue.’

And in case you needed any further convincing, the NHS also urges against sharing towels, especially if one person is feeling under the weather, as it could spread germs and cause more illness.

Its website explains: ‘Clothes and towels can spread germs. Washing clothes on a normal washing cycle will reduce the risk of transmitting germs. But some items may be more likely to cause illness. Wash these at the highest possible temperature recommended on the label.

‘High risk items include shared towels, sports clothes and soiled clothes. Protect yourself by wearing gloves when washing these sorts of items. Remember to wash your hands afterwards.’

This comes after a number of people recently shared the frustrating or baffling habits they discovered their partners had after moving in together – and yes, some of them involve towels.

One person was stunned to discover their boyfriend doesn’t use towels at all and prefers to ‘naturally air dry’, while u/MrRGG revealed he’d found out there’s a ‘right way and a wrong way to fold towels’ after moving in with his partner.

Another was flabbergasted to find their partner liked to eat popcorn with lettuce, and someone else claimed their girlfriend would fill a glass with Oreo cookies before covering them with milk. She’d then wait five to 10 minutes before stirring it up and ‘eating it like soup’.

Do you have a story to share?

Get in touch by emailing MetroLifestyleTeam@Metro.co.uk.