Shopping for bath towels is an exciting and fun process. Sure, you can just go to the store and pick what you feel is soft and luxurious, but what about getting down to the finer details. How do you know what features are right for you? What do you do when you’re staring at the wide selection of different colors, prints, and types of towels. Read our helpful guide below before getting overwhelmed and giving up. To make your product selection process a breeze, we’ve broken down everything you need to know about choosing the perfect bath towel. With my 40 years of experience in the textile business, I will cover essential topics - from common materials, size and weight to how to care for your standard bath towels.
Before we choose a type of towel, we need to think about our bathroom first. Is your bathroom clean and inviting?
Are there an appropriate amount of towel racks or hooks? Is there a place to hang your bath linens so they can dry?
Are the towels close enough to the shower or bath to reach the towels when you are done bathing? These are some questions you should ask yourself before buying new towels and make adjustments as needed.
Shopping for bath towels is an exciting and fun process. Sure, you can just go to the store and pick what you feel is soft and luxurious, but what about getting down to the finer details. How do you know what features are right for you? What do you do when you’re staring at the wide selection of different colors, prints, and types of towels. Read our helpful guide below before getting overwhelmed and giving up. To make your product selection process a breeze, we’ve broken down everything you need to know about choosing the perfect bath towel. With my 40 years of experience in the textile business, I will cover essential topics - from common materials, size and weight to how to care for your standard bath towels.
Before we choose a type of towel, we need to think about our bathroom first. Is your bathroom clean and inviting?
Are there an appropriate amount of towel racks or hooks? Is there a place to hang your bath linens so they can dry?
Are the towels close enough to the shower or bath to reach the towels when you are done bathing? These are some questions you should ask yourself before buying new towels and make adjustments as needed.
The general idea is that each person in your home has three sets of towels. A set consists of 1 bath towel or bath sheet, 1 hand towel and 1 washcloth. Three sets per person may seem like a lot of towels, but there is one set for laundry, one set you are using and one for linen closets. A family of four should have 12 sets of towels.
The general idea is that each person in your home has three sets of towels. A set consists of 1 bath towel or bath sheet, 1 hand towel and 1 washcloth. Three sets per person may seem like a lot of towels, but there is one set for laundry, one set you are using and one for linen closets. A family of four should have 12 sets of towels.
Whether you buy towel sets or separates is a personal choice. If you find that you do not use hand towels or washcloths that often, you may find you only need to buy separates. Maybe a bath towel and one set of washcloths is all you need.
American Blossom Linens offers towel sets as well as washcloths, hand towels and bath towels separately.
Whether you buy towel sets or separates is a personal choice. If you find that you do not use hand towels or washcloths that often, you may find you only need to buy separates. Maybe a bath towel and one set of washcloths is all you need.
American Blossom Linens offers towel sets as well as washcloths, hand towels and bath towels separately.
What does your towel collection look like? Are your towels frayed, scratchy, smelly or holey? Are they discolored or have they lost their absorbency? Have you had your towels since before 2019? These are signs that you need some fresh and new sets of towels.
What does your towel collection look like? Are your towels frayed, scratchy, smelly or holey? Are they discolored or have they lost their absorbency? Have you had your towels since before 2019? These are signs that you need some fresh and new sets of towels.
Natural fibers are used in linens towels and Turkish towels in addition to other fibers like bamboo and different types of cotton. Some types of cotton include: Turkish cotton, Supima Cotton, Upland cotton, and premium cotton like Pima cotton and Egyptian cotton. There are also manmade fibers thrown into the mix like polyester blends and modal. Hotels and gyms often choose towels made of cotton/polyester, which is more durable and quicker to dry but less absorbent than just cotton. Per Cotton Incorporated, 4 out of 5 people prefer cotton-rich towels. The best ultra-absorbent, high-quality towels are made of 100% organic cotton natural material and have dense loops.
Not only is organic cotton naturally strong and soft, but organic farming prohibits the use of synthetic chemicals and fertilizers. Therefore, toxic insecticides, herbicides, and defoliants are not used. Organic cotton towels, which are OEKO-TEX ® CERTIFIED, are an excellent choice, as they are exceptionally absorbent, sustainable, have superior softness, and provide undeniable comfort as luxury bath towels.
Natural Fiber. Most absorbent towels. Does not wrinkle. Fluffy and soft towels. Lightweight to heavyweight towels. It is our opinion that you should not focus on premium type of cotton like Egyptian cotton towels and Turkish cotton towels because they don’t have much effect on softness, durability and absorbency.
Natural and Synthetic Fibers. Will absorb the moisture because of the cotton and will dry faster because of the polyester. Not as soft as 100% cotton.
Natural Fiber. Will absorb moisture. Wrinkles and shrinks easily. Not soft. Requires special washing and drying techniques.
Natural Fiber. Does not absorb well. Leaves you feeling wet. Requires special washing and drying techniques. Shrinks easily. Not soft. Chemicals used to process bamboo may be harmful to human health.
Synthetic Fiber. Some people may be allergic. Absorbent. Does not wrinkle. Soft and Fluffy. Goes through rigorous chemical processes which are not environmentally friendly.
Synthetic Fiber. Does not absorb water. Dries quickly. Not soft. Requires special washing and drying techniques. One of the biggest downsides to polyester microfiber that has been getting more and more attention from environmentalists and scientists is the microplastics that shed from them when they are washed.
Natural fibers are used in linens towels and Turkish towels in addition to other fibers like bamboo and different types of cotton. Some types of cotton include: Turkish cotton, Supima Cotton, Upland cotton, and premium cotton like Pima cotton and Egyptian cotton. There are also manmade fibers thrown into the mix like polyester blends and modal. Hotels and gyms often choose towels made of cotton/polyester, which is more durable and quicker to dry but less absorbent than just cotton. Per Cotton Incorporated, 4 out of 5 people prefer cotton-rich towels. The best ultra-absorbent, high-quality towels are made of 100% organic cotton natural material and have dense loops.
Not only is organic cotton naturally strong and soft, but organic farming prohibits the use of synthetic chemicals and fertilizers. Therefore, toxic insecticides, herbicides, and defoliants are not used. Organic cotton towels, which are OEKO-TEX ® CERTIFIED, are an excellent choice, as they are exceptionally absorbent, sustainable, have superior softness, and provide undeniable comfort as luxury bath towels.
Natural Fiber. Most absorbent towels. Does not wrinkle. Fluffy and soft towels. Lightweight to heavyweight towels. It is our opinion that you should not focus on premium type of cotton like Egyptian cotton towels and Turkish cotton towels because they don’t have much effect on softness, durability and absorbency.
Natural and Synthetic Fibers. Will absorb the moisture because of the cotton and will dry faster because of the polyester. Not as soft as 100% cotton.
Natural Fiber. Will absorb moisture. Wrinkles and shrinks easily. Not soft. Requires special washing and drying techniques.
Natural Fiber. Does not absorb well. Leaves you feeling wet. Requires special washing and drying techniques. Shrinks easily. Not soft. Chemicals used to process bamboo may be harmful to human health.
Synthetic Fiber. Some people may be allergic. Absorbent. Does not wrinkle. Soft and Fluffy. Goes through rigorous chemical processes which are not environmentally friendly.
Synthetic Fiber. Does not absorb water. Dries quickly. Not soft. Requires special washing and drying techniques. One of the biggest downsides to polyester microfiber that has been getting more and more attention from environmentalists and scientists is the microplastics that shed from them when they are washed.
The best choice would be “combed cotton” and “ring spun” yarn in the loops with a high loop density. Combing is a manufacturing process where the cotton fibers are combed to remove debris and shorter threads so that the strongest and longest threads can be used in weaving the towels. As a result, these high-quality bath towels are durable and do not pill over time. Another type of processing is called “ring-spun cotton” which is how fibers are twisted together to create strong and smooth towel loops. Two-ply loops will be more durable than a single-ply loops. What is “loop density”? It’s the number of loops per square inch. You want a higher number of loops in that square inch of fabric because it makes the towel softer and more absorbent. Just make sure it’s not woven too tight, then it won’t absorb moisture. What you want is a plush towel.
There are different weaves available for towels as well. See below for a list.
Raised pattern woven into fabric which makes an ornamental design.
It’s a boxed pattern that looks like a waffle. A much lighter towel that does absorb fast but can feel slightly wet after use.
Everyday towels are usually made out of the towel material called terry cloth. This is the most popular material for the perfect towel.
The long uncut loops of yarn are known as pile. The most common style of terrycloth that is most absorbent, luxurious, soft and fluffy, has loops on both sides of the fabric. There is also terry velour which has loops on one side and french terry which is used mostly in clothing. Terry towels absorb water quickly but because of the construction they feel drier as the water is pulled into the fabric so that the surface feels drier.
Make sure the side edges are woven selvages or strong hems. The ends of the towels should be neatly stitched and have a double-turned edge. This means that a lot of handiwork and craftsmanship has gone into the construction of the towel. The towel will be more resistant to fraying and last longer.
The best choice would be “combed cotton” and “ring spun” yarn in the loops with a high loop density. Combing is a manufacturing process where the cotton fibers are combed to remove debris and shorter threads so that the strongest and longest threads can be used in weaving the towels. As a result, these high-quality bath towels are durable and do not pill over time. Another type of processing is called “ring-spun cotton” which is how fibers are twisted together to create strong and smooth towel loops. Two-ply loops will be more durable than a single-ply loops. What is “loop density”? It’s the number of loops per square inch. You want a higher number of loops in that square inch of fabric because it makes the towel softer and more absorbent. Just make sure it’s not woven too tight, then it won’t absorb moisture. What you want is a plush towel.
There are different weaves available for towels as well. See below for a list.
Raised pattern woven into fabric which makes an ornamental design.
It’s a boxed pattern that looks like a waffle. A much lighter towel that does absorb fast but can feel slightly wet after use.
Everyday towels are usually made out of the towel material called terry cloth. This is the most popular material for the perfect towel.
The long uncut loops of yarn are known as pile. The most common style of terrycloth that is most absorbent, luxurious, soft and fluffy, has loops on both sides of the fabric. There is also terry velour which has loops on one side and french terry which is used mostly in clothing. Terry towels absorb water quickly but because of the construction they feel drier as the water is pulled into the fabric so that the surface feels drier.
Make sure the side edges are woven selvages or strong hems. The ends of the towels should be neatly stitched and have a double-turned edge. This means that a lot of handiwork and craftsmanship has gone into the construction of the towel. The towel will be more resistant to fraying and last longer.
Standard size bath towels from most retailers and guest towels in high end hotels measure approximately 27" x 52." Bath sheets and beach towels are about 30" x 60". Hand towels usually measure 16" x 30", and washcloths typically measure 13" x 13". Bath Mats are usually 20”x 30”. There are fingertip towels too, which are 11” x 18”
Standard size bath towels from most retailers and guest towels in high end hotels measure approximately 27" x 52." Bath sheets and beach towels are about 30" x 60". Hand towels usually measure 16" x 30", and washcloths typically measure 13" x 13". Bath Mats are usually 20”x 30”. There are fingertip towels too, which are 11” x 18”
You usually hear the words “Thread Counts” when looking for bed sheets, but when you are searching for the perfect fluffy towel, you check the Grams per Square Meter (GSM). Thicker towels tend to be softer and more absorbent, but judging a towel's weight and thickness can be tricky when you’re shopping online. An excellent way to judge this is to measure the GSM. GSM measures the density of a bath towel, and it can range between 300 and 900. The higher the GSM, the more absorbent and plusher the towel. A towel between 300 and 400 GSM is a perfect lightweight towel that dries quickly. A medium-weight towel between 400 and 600 GSM would be ideal for bringing to a picnic or a day at the beach. But if you want to go for more uber heavyweight towels or luxurious towels, pick from organic cotton towels that are anything between 600 and 900 GSM. They are a heavier towel and will be denser and more absorbent, although they may take longer to dry. Overall, the top performing towels are in the 500 and 700 GSM range per Good Housekeeping.
You usually hear the words “Thread Counts” when looking for bed sheets, but when you are searching for the perfect fluffy towel, you check the Grams per Square Meter (GSM). Thicker towels tend to be softer and more absorbent, but judging a towel's weight and thickness can be tricky when you’re shopping online. An excellent way to judge this is to measure the GSM. GSM measures the density of a bath towel, and it can range between 300 and 900. The higher the GSM, the more absorbent and plusher the towel. A towel between 300 and 400 GSM is a perfect lightweight towel that dries quickly. A medium-weight towel between 400 and 600 GSM would be ideal for bringing to a picnic or a day at the beach. But if you want to go for more uber heavyweight towels or luxurious towels, pick from organic cotton towels that are anything between 600 and 900 GSM. They are a heavier towel and will be denser and more absorbent, although they may take longer to dry. Overall, the top performing towels are in the 500 and 700 GSM range per Good Housekeeping.
If you love playing with colors, you can select from a wide range of trending towel colors available at almost every retailer or online store. The right towels complete a bathroom's look perfectly. If you like to play safe, go for a neutral color to set the tone. High-end hotels usually chose white towels since they are easy to match with any décor. There are also several common designs to choose from such as a dobby border design with a textured pattern woven border on each end or embellished with decorative items sewn on such as lace or embroidery.
We offer Natural and White Organic Cotton Towels with our own ABL dobby border to match any color scheme.
If you love playing with colors, you can select from a wide range of trending towel colors available at almost every retailer or online store. The right towels complete a bathroom's look perfectly. If you like to play safe, go for a neutral color to set the tone. High-end hotels usually chose white towels since they are easy to match with any décor. There are also several common designs to choose from such as a dobby border design with a textured pattern woven border on each end or embellished with decorative items sewn on such as lace or embroidery.
We offer Natural and White Organic Cotton Towels with our own ABL dobby border to match any color scheme.
One of the most common ways to make your organic cotton towels last for a long time is by taking proper care of them and by washing towels frequently in a light natural detergent as they tend to absorb a large amount of dirt and body oils. You should always wash new towels in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions (usually cold or warm water; no HOT WATER!) once before you use them to help set their color, improve their absorbency and reduce lint. Tumble dry your towels on a low dryer setting. Be careful with fabric softeners like dryer sheets, as they may leave a residue that decreases absorbency, increases flammability, and cause stiffness. Use Wool Dryer balls instead.
One of the most common ways to make your organic cotton towels last for a long time is by taking proper care of them and by washing towels frequently in a light natural detergent as they tend to absorb a large amount of dirt and body oils. You should always wash new towels in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions (usually cold or warm water; no HOT WATER!) once before you use them to help set their color, improve their absorbency and reduce lint. Tumble dry your towels on a low dryer setting. Be careful with fabric softeners like dryer sheets, as they may leave a residue that decreases absorbency, increases flammability, and cause stiffness. Use Wool Dryer balls instead.
Choosing the best type of towels is just that easy. All you have to do is decide what you are looking for before going to the store or shopping online. Then you can filter through the selection of luxury towels you do not like and pick the most suitable organic cotton towels from the most trusted suppliers of towel sets and cotton sheet sets made in the USA.
Choosing the best type of towels is just that easy. All you have to do is decide what you are looking for before going to the store or shopping online. Then you can filter through the selection of luxury towels you do not like and pick the most suitable organic cotton towels from the most trusted suppliers of towel sets and cotton sheet sets made in the USA.
