Stylish Design Bath Towel Guide
Perhaps the hardest working household article is the bath towel. After all, we expect our towels and washcloths to keep us clean, dry us off, add to the look of our bathroom and, occasionally, wipe up after tracks of mud into the house. However, despite their versatility, towels are often underappreciated, with many people putting little thought into which type of towel they buy and bring home. But with a little knowledge, your towels will look, last and perform better in their many roles.
Towel fabric
All towels have a fabric weight, measured with a GSM (grams per square meter) number. This refers to the density of the fabric used to make that particular towel. Lower GSM towels are lighter and thinner, making them a great choice for a gym bag or trips to the beach. You’ll likely want to save your heavier, thicker, higher GSM towels for use in the master or guest bathroom.
Most towels are made of cotton, but the look and feel of towels largely depends on what type of cotton is used. Towels designed and priced for everyday use are made of standard cotton, while Egyptian cotton is considered the crème de la crème of towel fabrics. These more expensive towels have longer, more-fibrous threads, meaning that each towel will have more moisture-sucking loops per inch. The ultra-soft, super-fluffy bath towels found in high-end spas and hotels are typically Egyptian cotton or increasingly, the American-grown version, called pima cotton, which offers a similarly luxurious look and feel.
Buyers should be beware because some manufacturers sell towels advertised as “made with” Egyptian or pima cotton, when in fact the fabric may have other materials in its makeup. Sometimes luxury bath towels actually have synthetics in them to give a shinier look. This restricts the towels absorbency. When shopping for better towels, be sure to check the labels and look for fabric of 100 percent Egyptian cotton, or for the Supima trademark, which guarantees a towel is made of 100 percent American pima cotton. Eco-conscious buyers can look for organic cotton towels or towels made from bamboo, which have a looser, velvety-soft texture compared to cotton towels. Bamboo, along with the newer hemp towels, has natural mildew-resistant qualities. Unlike towels made from these natural products, microfiber towels are made of engineered fibers. They are lighter and thinner than cotton towels, with a suede like texture and excellent absorbency. These specialty towels are popular for wringing water from wet hair without being too heavy.
Towel style
Towels offer a relatively painless and inexpensive way to complement or change the look of your bathroom, decorators say they are a great way to have fun with design. Rather than trying to precisely match your towels to your wallpaper or paint, use them instead to draw out or accentuate the look you want. Towels are accessories and so they can add sizzle and style to an area of the house that is often overlooked. They are design accents, much like throw pillows in the living room. No matter what the bathroom backdrop, an abundance of bright, colorful towels placed around the room provides stylish punch. For a more classic look, nothing says total luxury like a bathroom fully stocked with freshly laundered, fluffy white towels. It’s a timelessly posh look that never goes out of style.
Towel care
Bath towels of all types will look fresher and last longer if they are cared for properly. Manufacturers often coat new towels in a special fabric softener, which means the towels look extra fluffy and soft on the shelf but don’t absorb water well when you first bring them home. For this reason, it’s best to wash your new towels before first use. For the very first wash, add a cup of vinegar to the wash cycle. This will help to set the color and prevent fading, especially color of deep tones. Don’t overdo when tumble drying you towels because the heat from the dryer can damage the towels’ fibers. Use a low-heat setting or alternate between air and heat drying. Dark and brightly colored towels should be washed separately. For your special, more expensive towels, using Woolite or other gentle-care detergent to keep them at their fluffy best longer.
Lauren Ralph Lauren “Lauren Classic” Bath Towel, 27×54″: Comfortably classic towels made from 100% Supima cotton, one of the softest22 and finest cottons available. A dobby border and lock-stitch end hem give a tailored look to these soft, absorbant towels. In a variety of rich colors. Bath towel, hand towel, wash towel, bath sheet, shower towel and tub mat available. Made in USA. Machine washable.
100% Egyptian Cotton 725-Gram 6-Piece Towel Set by Royal Heritage Home LLC: Pamper yourself after showering or washing your hands with this luxurious six-piece towel set, which includes two bath towels, two hand towels, and two washcloths. Made of 4.5 pounds of 100-percent Egyptian cotton–renowned for its softness, absorbency, and durability–the set makes an ideal complement to any bathroom whether you use it as your main set or reserve it for special guests. Egyptian cotton fibers are valued for their superior length and strength, which reduces the buildup of pile and lint. As a result, the towels feel cozy and comfortable against the skin every time. Even better, the towels get softer with each tumble in the washing machine and dryer–with no fabric softener required. So give yourself the spa treatment in the comfort of your own home with this pale green towel set.
Pinzon Luxury Towels by Li & Fung (Trading): raditional Turkish hospitality has always meant offering only the finest and softest towels to houseguests. Bring that tradition into your own home with this ultra-plush Pinzon Luxury bath towel. “Luxury” says it all: the thick, oversized towel of 100-percent cotton terry is constructed of short, densely woven loops of two-ply yarn and weighs in at an exceptional 820 grams per square meter for outstanding absorbency and quick drying. Expertly crafted in Turkey, the bath towel features strong seams and classic piqué borders at either end for an elegant look. Safe to clean at home in the washer and dryer, the bath towel measures 30 by 56 inches and weighs a hefty 31 ounces.
The BIG Towel – Peridot Green by Lintex linens: Super absorbent and soft oversized bath towels. Oversized bath towel measures approximately 27″ wide by 54″ long. 100% Ring Spun cotton is extra absorbent.
TERRY BATH TOWELS by Americana Bathrobes: This is a 100% Terry Cloth Cotton 28X55 bath towel. You will not be disspointed with the quality of our towels. 28″ x 55″ size.
Nautica J Class 100% Hygro Cotton Bath Towel, Deck White: This bath towel from Nautica is made from 100 percent Hygro-Cotton. Its hollow-core yarns give the towel superior absorbency and loft, and it becomes softer and fluffier after each machine wash. The towel measures 30 inches by 54 inches for ample room in which to wrap up and dry off. For decorative flair, the towel is available in a wide variety of colors to complement most any décor, and it is easy to care for in the washer and dryer. Coordinating bath sheets, hand towels, washcloths, and tub mats are available in Nautica’s J-Class line for full accessorizing.
Fieldcrest® Luxury Damask 3-pc. Towel Set – Taupe: Enjoy the luxury of a cotton terry bath towel set from Fieldcrest. Features 3-pc. taupe damask set made of 60%cotton/40% modal. 3-pc. set includes 30×58″ bath towel, 16×30″ hand towel, 13×13″ washcloth.
Contemporary 6-pc. Towel Set – Ebony by Taylor Home: Invigorate tired old bathroom décor with this complete towel set. Ebony hue creates a sophisticated tone. Includes 2 each of piece-dyed, terry-looped 30Wx54L” bath towels; 16Wx28L” hand towels and 12Lx12W” washcloths with jacquard borders. Made of 100% cotton. Machine wash.
Disney Royal Princess Bath Towel Set: Bath towel 48″ L x 24″ W. Washcloth 12”-square. 100% cotton terry. Comes with the word Princess embroidered in white on the bath towel. Brand new in bag, sold out from The Disney Store. Nice,soft, plush material, washes beautifully.
Salux Nylon Japanese Beauty Skin Bath Wash Cloth/Towel – Blue: Winner of the Invention Prize in Japan, unique patented design. Light nylon fabric air dries quickly and completely – machine washable, more sanitary than loofah. Softer than loofah, but still texured for exfoliating entire body. Creates a rich lather while stimulating skin and blood circulation, Great for cellulite massage. Much longer than a normal washcloth – at 35 inches (90cm) – to reach neck and back with ease.
Lenox Mirage Bath Towel: Add a touch of subtle style to your bathroom with this solidly colored Lenox Mirage bath towel, which features an all-over quilted look in a contemporary design. It reverses to a full terry loop for extra absorbency, and it’s accented by a wide dobby border. This towel combines 70 percent low twist cotton with 30 percent bamboo fibers, which offers a splendidly soft touch that will stand the test of time and washings. It measures 30 by 54 inches. This towel is part of a collection including a coordinating hand towel and washcloth that can be purchased separately. Machine wash in warm with like colors, tumble dry on medium. Wash before first use.
Aquis Microfiber Hair Towel, (19 x 39-Inches) by Britanne Corporation: Aquis towels are made of Aquitex, a super absorbant material woven from ultrafine microfibers. The technology behind our microfiber towel enables water to be drawn from hair and skin more quickly and thoroughly than other towels. And it’s especially gentle on hair and skin. Designed to be lightweight, compact and durable, Aquis towels are ideal for everyday use at home, at the gym and while traveling.
Columbia 100% Cotton Towels: Soft sheared velvet bath towel in vintage violet, reverses to a supple terry back. Made of 100 percent combed cotton that’s ring-spun for finer softness and added durability. Measures 32 by 50 inches. Coordinate with variety of solid-colored Columbia bath towels. Machine wash warm, tumble dry low for best results.
Pharaoh Egyptian Cotton Luxury Bath Towel Set – Hunter Green by United Textile Supply: Pharaoh 100% Egyptian Cotton Towel Sets the color is Hunter Green. You will get 4 Bath Towels, 2 Hand Towels and 4 Wash Cloths in each Set purchased. These are Oversized, Luxurious, Soft Terry Towels – Very High Quality 100% Egyptian Cotton (* See Picture for Color) * These are Very Luxurious Towels New with Retail Tags Bath Towel size is 30 x 54 14.75 lbs/dz wt Hand Towel Size is 16 x 30 4.20 lbs/dz wt Wash Cloth Size is 13 x 13 1.45 lbs/dz wt. You get 1 set of 4 Bath Towels, 2 Hand Towels and 4 Wash Cloths.
