Giving into a hot, relaxing bath is one of life’s simple pleasures. Finishing your bath off by bundling up in a soft, cozy towel is another. But how do you pick a towel that’s right for you and will last for years? How do you discern quality? Here, we break down some of the components that make up a quality towel, helping you choose the very best towels for your post-bath ritual.
Quality of Yarn
Every towel is made up of 3 different yarns; the warp (length), the weft (width), and the pile (loop). Weaving warp yarns with weft yarns makes up what is commonly known as the ground of the towel. The pile is formed by an extra warp yarn looping in and out of the ground fabric. This is the part of the towel that comes into contact with a person’s skin.
Yarn quality is determined by its size and method of spinning. Each of the three yarns in a towel can be made from different yarns, so when deciding on the right towel for your investment, it’s important to get informed as to the quality of all three.
You can make a towel using a single-ply construction of the yarn or a double-ply. It is basically the number of threads twisted together to form one single yarn. In the case of double yarn, these are typically made with thinner yarns which are softer, however, they are also more delicate. For home use, double-ply yarns are usually preferred because they are soft and do not need to withstand the rigors of an institutional wash process. Single-ply yarn is preferred for use in the hospitality and healthcare industry due to its thickness and durability of the yarn.
Pile height and loops
Absorbency is created by maximizing the surface area, therefore a high pile is more absorbent. You will find single or double-loop towels. Both can be of great quality. A single loop towel will dry faster. Double loops one feel more luxurious. Terry towels with a velvet side are created by shaving and combing the loops.
Weight
For any given size, a towel’s overall weight is dictated by the size and quality of yarn (see above). There are two main ways to describe a towel’s weight: Grams per Square meter (GSM) or pounds per Dozen. GSM is a great way to evaluate the density of a towel – a higher GSM will be thicker than a lower GSM, however, pounds per dozen is an effective way to compare towels of the same size. A higher GSM means a more absorbent towel but it will also take more time and energy to dry.
Composition
The two most common compositions in the world of terry towels are 100% cotton and 86% cotton / 14% polyester. Polyester will typically be found in the ground of the towel and therefore will not directly have contact with the user’s skin. Polyester is used to add stability to the towel by helping to control shrinkage and increasing the towel’s durability.
Stitching and finishing
A double stitch seam and a double-turned edge means that the towel is less likely to unravel after numerous wash. There should be no yarns sticking out at the end of each border.
There is a certain romance that goes into wrapping yourself in a warm towel as you step out of a shower; pulling the terry tight around you, just like you’ve always done since you were a little kid. If you’ve ever reached out to your sales rep and asked for “something fluffy and soft”, you now know more about the science behind the making of your towels and can make an informed decision based on your budget and needs to give your clients the very best experience!