Best Bath Towels

Many people have never considered that bath towels are of different quality and characteristics. You may have a “favorite” towel. But do you know why? Most people don’t put very much thought in buying towels, but armed with a little information your towels will last longer, perform better, and you’ll have a slew of favorite towels.

Most towels are made of cotton, but not all cotton is created equal. There are many different types. First of all, there’s your standard cotton, which everyday towels with everyday prices are created from. Egyptian cotton is considered that pinnacle of a high-quality cotton. This type of cotton is pricier, the reason being they have longer fibrous threads that have more moisture-absorbing power per square inch. These are the towels you commonly find in high-end hotels and spas that are mega-soft, extra-fluffy and luxurious.

Egyptian cotton is getting some competition from something called pima cotton, which is an American-grown version that rivals Egyptian cotton providing similar characteristics for slightly less cost.

Another factor that is considered in judging a towel is its weight. This is measured in grams per square inch, and is called a GSM. All this measures is the density of the fabric. The lower the GSM, the thinner and lighter the towel. You can use these towels at the fitness center or throw them in your bag to use for a trip to the lake. Keep one in your car for small mishaps. The heavier, more luxurious, higher GSM towels can be used in the master bathroom or your guest bathroom.

It helps to read the labels as some unscrupulous manufacturers will advertise Egyptian or Pima cotton, but actually there are other fibers that dominate its construction. Occasionally you will see more decorative towels that have a sheen and sometimes described as “luxury” or “top of the line” towels but they have synthetics such as polyester in them which inhibit softness and absorbency. So check labels for 100% Egyptian cotton or 100% American pima cotton, which actually has the trademark Supima.

There are other types of towels as well such as microfiber towels that are made from engineered fibers, not natural products. The advantage to them are they are lighter and thinner that cotton, have excellent absorbency, and a suede-like texture. These are good for rapidly drying hair or quickly absorbing spills. There are other types of fabric that are joining the cottons – one is made from the cellulose from Beech trees called Modal, which it’s said is approximately 50% more absorbent than cotton and resists fading. Another popular fabric for people who are green-conscious are towels made from bamboo, which has a luxuriously soft texture in contrast to cotton. Organic cotton is also a good choice, and there are even hemp towels that have a mildew-resistant capability.

Whichever towel suits you best are the ones you should choose. As far as color is concerned, nothing says luxury and timelessness like a fully stocked bathroom of fluffy white towels. Use bright vibrant towels to provide interest and visual punch to a blah bathroom. Bath towels can be used the same way you use accessories and are a relatively inexpensive way to change the look of your bathroom.