Unraveling the Fabric: A Comprehensive Guide to Towel Types and Their Unique Traits - Amba Products (2024)

FAQs

What are the characteristics of towel fabric? ›

Towel fabrics should have properties such as high hydrophility, high wet strength, good dyeability, high color fastness, washability, soft handle, and anti-allergenicity. Cotton is the most widely used fiber in terry fabric production, as cotton yarns can provide all of these features in the most efficient way.

Most towels are made from cotton, although silk, synthetic and even nettle and wood fibres have all been tried and tested. The reason we often fall back on cotton is that, once processed, it is hydrophilic.

The different types of towels are bath sheets, bath towels, washcloths, hand towels, kitchen towels, gym towels, paper towels, beach towels, pet towels, face towels, hair towels, spa towels, and foot towels.

Organic Cotton: Made without harmful chemicals, soft, absorbent, and has a moderate drying time. Modal: Made from beech tree pulp, 50% more absorbent than cotton and dries moderately quickly. Zero Twist Cotton: The fibers are not twisted during manufacturing making them more absorbent and quick-drying.

Good quality bath towels are often made of some type of upscale cotton. Cotton truly makes the best material for bath towels and offers the features we want most in a high-quality bath towel – good absorbency, extra durability, and of course a thick, luscious feel!

High-quality towels will feel soft and fluffy to the touch, and they will have a higher GSM. Look for towels made of Terry weave cotton, as these materials are more durable and absorbent. Also, check the stitching on the towel - high-quality towels will have tightly woven edges and minimal loose threads.

Cotton and rayon, for example, are the most absorbent fabrics. If softness is a top priority, then consider bath towels made from bamboo. Microfiber and flat weave cotton towels are best for travelers and those looking for a lightweight and compact option.

What Are Towels Made Out Of? While other materials are more popular, 100% cotton still makes up the majority of towels. Other often-used fabrics include microfiber, bamboo, terrycloth, and linen.

Terrycloth, terry cloth, terry cotton, terry toweling, terry, terry towel, Turkish toweling (formerly), or simply toweling is a fabric woven with many protruding loops of thread which can absorb large amounts of water.

Towels weighing 600 GSM or more are considered luxury since they're more absorbent and plush. For example, our Liam Turkish Towel Collection has a 600 GSM, offering a great balance of being both soft and absorbent as heavier weighted towels but also cooler and fast-drying.

What type of towels last longest? ›

For soft, absorbent towels that last, first consider two-ply towels made with Pima or Egyptian cotton, or towels that blend cotton with rayon, but they may not last as long. Premium cotton towels usually cost a bit more than other types, so look for them on sale or bring coupons.

“Tenugui” are a type of traditional Japanese towel. Since tenugui have a smooth texture that is unlike typical Western terrycloth towels, they can be used in various ways other than just drying hands or bodies.

One potential downside of modal is that it can be more expensive than other fabrics such as cotton or polyester. Modal also requires special care when washing to maintain its softness and shape. Some people may also have allergies to modal or experience skin irritation when wearing it.

In the end, the difference between Turkish and Egyptian cotton towels can be boiled down to absorbency and speed of drying. While both cottons offer long, absorbent fibers, Egyptian cotton tends to be more absorbent and slower to dry; while Turkish cottons are slightly less absorbent and are quick to dry.

Towelling fabric, also known as terry cloth, is a highly absorbent and soft fabric known for its looped pile surface. These fabrics are specially crafted to provide excellent moisture-wicking properties and are the perfect choice for towels, bathrobes, washcloths and more.

Terrycloth, terry cloth, terry cotton, terry toweling, terry, terry towel, Turkish toweling (formerly), or simply toweling is a fabric woven with many protruding loops of thread which can absorb large amounts of water. It can be manufactured by weaving or knitting.

Cotton is very water absorbent, but it also dries quickly, which makes it highly moisture wicking. You can wash cotton in high heat, and this fabric drapes well on your body. However, cotton fabric is relatively prone to wrinkling, and it will shrink when washed unless it is exposed to a pre-treatment.

Towel clamps feature sharp tips, usually rounded, curved in to provide a strong, secure hold. Although the Edna Lorna towel clamp features blunt, wide tips. Tubing clamps look similar to hemostatic forceps with ring handles and straight, strong blades/tips. They are used in most procedures.