Your towel choice depends on what kind of fibers are essential; Turkish or Egyptian cotton has long-fiber threads for plushness, while organic or bamboo towels offer eco-friendliness. Regarding GSM rating, strive for a high GSM value to avoid fabric conditioners that can cause fewer soft towels. Select the best bath towels.
Cotton
Cotton towels are among the most widely available fabrics, and an array of Turkish and Egyptian varieties are available, ranging from thin towels with aesthetic value to absorbent long-strand fiber towels with super absorbency capabilities.
Other fabric choices may include:
- Linen (naturally antimicrobial and fast drying but less soft than cotton).
- Microfiber (fast drying with inexpensive synthetic fiber strands).
- Waffle (which allows faster water absorption and drying).
How you select a towel fabric will depend on what matters to you regarding softness, absorbency, and cost. In general, towels with higher GSM tend to be plusher and take longer to dry, while those with lower GSM tend to be thinner and dry more quickly. When looking for quality towels, look for tags that list both GSM and country of origin; this will give a clear idea of their quality.
To test a towel’s absorbency, pour some liquid onto it and wait a moment – as per Whitney Thornburg, design director at Coyuchi, this should ensure the fluid drains away quickly – otherwise, that’s an indicator that it may not be doing its job effectively.
Kassatex’s Riley towel received high marks for its softness, absorbency, and thoughtful details, such as hanging loops. Made of organic Turkish cotton fabric that feels dense yet substantial yet remains soft after repeated washes, we also enjoyed using the Coyuchi Mediterranean organic towel, which features a tight weave but lightweight construction for an appealing spa-like experience.
Bamboo towels offer eco-friendly solutions to reduce environmental impact, offering hypoallergenic qualities while remaining environmentally friendly. When selecting an eco-friendly towel option, we advise opting for 100 percent bamboo or bamboo-cotton blend towels as these will be less likely to pill than terry cloth cotton options.
Microfiber
Fabric and weave types have an immediate impact on a towel’s performance. Microfiber towels come with various weave patterns, each offering different performance levels. Look for one with high numbers of split fibers per segment – this will increase its absorbency, or find one with larger surface areas ideal for soaking up liquid cleaning products and sprays.
Weave type is another factor in how soft and luxurious a towel feels. While microfiber towels are commonly made of polyester, others, such as silk or organic cotton, may also be woven for their absorbency properties and comforting qualities. You might even come across some terrycloth infused with microfiber that offers both properties simultaneously!
While chamois-style microfiber towels may be great, they’re too thick for daily use. In addition, they must be stored in their plastic case to remain moist between uses – potentially scratching delicate surfaces with their rigid edges. Chemical Guys Premium Microfiber, however, is more durable and specifically tailored for everyday use, featuring its 320 GSM microfiber blend and edgeless design to make for effective buffing and drying capabilities.
At its core, what matters most when purchasing a towel is how well it performs for you. To determine this, hold it against water and observe how quickly and effectively it wicks away moisture, feels soft on the skin, and collects dirt and dust particles. A high-quality cotton towel Oeko-Tex certified and made in the US will guarantee high-quality cotton production and safe manufacturing processes. If unsure, opt for something with Oeko-Tex certification, which ensures manufacturing in safe conditions and regulatory oversight.
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