The towel – how do we look after them? But first, an introduction:
What are the different types of towels?
Towels come in a range of sizes, weights, materials and quality, and can sometimes boggle the mind as to which ones are right for you. Below is our towel buying guide which should answer some questions.
Sizes of Towels
The most common types of towels for your bathroom are:
- Face towel (sometimes known as wash cloths, flannels or face flannels) – typical size 30x30cm
- Hand towel – 50x80cm
- Bath towel – 70x 120cm
- Bath sheet – 90x140cm
- Super sheet – 100x180cm
What are towels used for?
Face cloths
These days, face towels are often found in hotels and spas. Used to dry your face when you have washed it to remove excess make up and dirt particles picked up during the day. Traditionally, face cloths, were known as wash cloths and are used when a quick sink wash is required (rather then a shower/bath). Wash cloths can also used to wipe the face and body down whilst having a shower or bath.
Hand Towels
A little larger than face cloths, hand towels are used for exactly that. To dry your hands. Commonly found in the bathroom, they are necessity in the washroom. Hand towels are also good for use in the kitchen to wipe your hands after cutting, blending, washing etc.
Bath Towels
Bath towels are used for drying when you come out of the bath/shower. Their size is ample for an averaged size person, or child. Bath towels are light weight and great for wrapping round your head to dry your hair. However, if you prefer to wrap a towel round your body after your bath you may prefer a larger towel, known as a bath sheet.
Bath Sheets
Bath sheets are bigger than bath towels and give increased coverage over bath towels. Increased coverage also means increased absorbency and increased luxury. The larger size is also handy for those of us who are bigger than average size, giving the extra coverage necessary.
Take a look at the many different types of towels we have got. https://www.homespacedirect.com/bath-linen/bath-towels.html
Take a look at some towel bales that have the different types of towels. We love fashionable ones like these Royal Velvet Towel Bales in grey!
Which towel material is the best?
Combed cotton is the best material for towels. Within that, Egyptian cotton and Supima cotton towels are the Rolls Royce of material. Both types of cotton have extra long fibres which bind to form dense loops, making the towels thicker and more absorbent. Then there is how many fibres or weight you get per square meter. The higher the weight, the more absorbent, softer and luxurious the towel. This measure is known as grams per square meter or GSM.
What does GSM mean?
Towels that have a GSM les then 300 are usually, thin, not very absorbent and feel rather rough and course and do not have any longevity. Personally, I would never buy these entry level towels. GSM 400-500 are mid-range towels, have good absorbency and are soft. The densely packed fibres also prevent pilling, making your towels last longer. This range is great for every day use and for your guest bathroom. Top of the range 600 GSM and above are the ones to go for if your budget allows. Super soft, nice and thick, and very absorbent and hold enough water, these are hotel quality towels that you will love.
Caring for your bath towels
Wash your towels at the highest temperature allowed on the care label. Bacteria love towels, especially if they have been thrown on the floor after use and not dried out properly.
Don’t use bleach or chlorine. Most modern-day towels have a finishing that shouldn’t be bleached. Bleach also weakens the cotton fibres over time. Similarly, adding softeners adds a coating to towels that again inhibits absorbency.
Replacing your towels
After lengthy use, towels will start showing signs of wear and tear and will be ready to be replaced. As towels get old they lose their absorbency because, yes you guessed it, the threads are no longer as densely packed and some may become loose or lost over time. Because cotton is a natural fibre, it does break down over time.
Also, if your towel begins to smell after one or two uses, it has probably become home to bacteria and so it’s time to say good bye.
Of course visible signs like freying, holes, and thread bear are also a reason to say adios!
Design of towels
Towels now come in a array of designs and colours. There is no need to stick to the old staples of plain white, cream or beige, or the lovely thin stripe ones that your gran had. Match the design and colour of your towels to that of your bathroom. Use bright and contrasting colours. Mix and match them to brighten up your mood when you walk in to the bathroom. I’ve seen bright orange, fuchsia pink and lime coloured towels looking fabulous.
Towels for en-suites
For those of you lucky enough to have an en-suite bathroom, co-ordinate the design and colours of your towels to those of your bedroom, so it looks like a natural extension.
