Discovery
When creating the ultimate relaxation experience, be sure to look beyond your bedroom and into your bathroom. It’s been proven that can help improve sleep. To make that step of your bedtime routine as spa-like as possible, you’ll want to make sure you’re using the best bath towels around so you can savour all that softness and sumptuousness.
But before you showcase those towels, you probably should learn how to choose a bath towel. That’s why we’re here with this handy bath towel guide so you can make your bedtime baths even more luxurious.
Material
Pure cotton is the best material for bath towels. This natural material is known for its durability. Plus, since it’s 100% cotton, cotton towels are also very soft, absorbent, and feel good to the touch and on the skin.
But if you’re looking for a more cost-effective option, a combination of cotton and polyester is also great for durability and long-lasting use.
Size
“The perfect bath towel size is 30 x 60 inches. “This size allows for full-body wrapping and drying. There’s nothing less inviting than when the size of your bath towel is too small and can only be used as a hair turban while bathing or showering.”
Looking for something a bit more oversized? you can consider the “bath sheet,” which is approximately 35 x 64 inches.
Weight
When it comes to bath towels, weight is determined by something called gram weight. The GSM, or grams per square meter, determines the weight of the towel.
While a low GSM ranges from 300 to 400, thicker towels will range from 400 to 650 GSM. Just keep in mind that an extra-heavy towel doesn’t necessarily mean it’s a better-quality towel.
Absorbency
100% cotton towels have the best absorbency because of their natural fiber content. “However, it’s the way the towel is made that produces its absorbency qualities”
A denser, tighter weave of the loops of the towel may add weight to the towel. “It’s the length of the loop strands and the spacing that allows for more absorbency”. Remember, denser doesn’t mean better absorbency—the water needs a place to go. If the towel is woven too tight, there is nowhere for the water to be absorbed.
Color and style
As for how to choose bath towel color, color preference depends on the decor and color scheme of your bathroom. White tends to be go-to for every day. However, people usually stays away from embellished bath towels with designs or motifs.
How to care for bath towels
Simply machine wash them in a warm setting with laundry detergent. Just don’t oversaturate them with laundry detergent because this can create an overload of soapy water that may be difficult to rinse with too much soap.
Use the longer rinse and spin cycle before removing your towels from the washer and putting them in the dryer. Tumble dry on low heat. Don’t use fabric softener on your towels as this could leave a residue on the towel that may prevent it from absorbing properly. Finally, remove fully dried towels from the dryer and roll them immediately.
Towels usually need to be replaced every two to three years, depending on the usage. “When your towels begin to smell, show signs of wear, or begin to fray, it’s time to think about replacing your towels.