The best 100% cotton bath towel. And for good reason: cotton is a natural material, it absorbs moisture well, dries quickly, does not cause allergies and irritations. Cotton terry products are more expensive than synthetic ones, but they do not wear out for a good ten years.
Before choosing a good towel, it is worth examining the product label. Some manufacturers are tricky, indicating in the composition "100% cotton M" - which indicates an admixture of artificial fiber or "100% PC cotton" - means added polycotton.
A clear sign of the presence of synthetics in a towel is excessive silkiness and shine of the fibers. Although this feature is pleasant to look at and to the touch, there will be problems with absorption.
You will not go wrong with your purchase if you find on the label:
- 100% cotton (pure cotton) - without impurities and additives;
- organic cotton - it was grown without the use of pesticides, chemical fertilizers and harvested by hand;
- microcotton (micro-cotton) - cotton fibers "sanded" and woven into a dense fabric;
- ELS cotton (long staple cotton) is a soft and durable towel;
- combed cotton - during processing, the fluff and short fibers are combed out and left the longest and healthiest. Its characteristics are close to ELS cotton.
When choosing a quality product, you need to take into account the country of origin of the cotton. The best for terry is cotton from Pakistan and Egypt.
Which towels are better
A wide variety of towel fabrics are now used. I do not want you to choose a product with your eyes wide open. Therefore, I tabulated their advantages and disadvantages.
| the cloth | "Pros" of towels | "Cons" towels |
| Bamboo |
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| Microfiber |
|
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| With the addition of linen thread |
|
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| With the addition of silk thread |
|
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| Eucalyptus |
|
|
Feedback from our customers about terry towels
Daria about microfiber towel E-Cloth E-Body Luxury Bath Towel: "Cool stuff! Absorbs moisture instantly, others do not want to dry themselves ... Disadvantage: price».
Irina about a towel made of 100% cotton Rechitsa Textile Rainbow: “I have been using this facial for 8 months already, great! Does not fade when washing and absorbs well, as in the old Soviet times quality!».
Tatyana about Lotti Camellia writes: “A very soft, pleasant to the touch towel, with a neatly cut edge, relatively inexpensive. I am satisfied with the purchase, I recommend».
Lily about Ozdilek Poem (fabric with bamboo): "Nice towel, but not 100% bamboo, but 60% bamboo and 40% cotton».
Bamboo towels are considered super eco-friendly because bamboo is grass. In fact, this is half the truth. Two types of fibers are made from it: bamboo linen and bamboo viscose. They differ from each other, therefore, in many countries, special markings have been introduced.
⇒ Bamboo linen is an ecological fiber that is produced mechanically (just like flax and hemp fibers). It is appreciated in the market and is used to make premium products.
⇒ Another thing is bamboo viscose.The core of the plant is softened and processed in chemicals. The resulting mass is rubbed through a sieve, the fibers are squeezed out, and the toxic waste is washed out. Therefore, the yarn is safe, but it is not a natural material.
The antibacterial properties of bamboo towels are also a myth. The US Federal Trade Commission (FTC) claims that no evidence of this fact has yet been found. Although bamboo wood really kills germs, after chemical treatment there is no trace of it in the finished fabric.
How to choose a quality towel
The quality of a towel is determined by its density. One square meter of canvas should account for from 400 to 600 grams (see this figure on the label). Such a product absorbs moisture better and does not get wet through when you wrap yourself in it. It dries quickly and lasts for many years. It is not profitable to buy with a lower density even if you are trying to save money - such a product is short-lived.
If the density is not indicated on the tag, use the weight as a guide. Pick up two towels of the same size and decide which is heavier, better quality.
Long or short pile?
Terry products do not like extremes. Long pile (6-8 mm) gives the impression of thickening, but after the first wash it becomes shaggy and becomes tough. The short (3.5 mm and below) dries faster, but it is not fluffy at all. A pile of medium length (5 mm) is considered ideal.
An ordinary pencil with a diameter of 5-7 mm will help determine the length of the villi. Place a pencil on the fluffy strings and find out how high the pile is. Dense threads - quality consistency. The thicker they are, the better the towel will absorb. Run your hand against the villi. If the base on which the terry is stuffed is visible, this is a short-lived option.
Photo: tsn.ua
The softness of the towel also depends on the twisting of the cotton thread. Double-curled products are stronger, last longer and absorb water better. But they are not as delicate as a single-curl towel.
At the time of buying
Take note of the 6 mandatory express check points right in the store.
- Study the label
Check the composition. If the product complies with GOST, the number of this document and the density in square meters (and not linear meters, as the distributors sometimes note) must be indicated.
Photo: tsn.ua
- Sniff the towel
Should smell like cleanliness, not dye. A product with a strong unpleasant odor is hazardous to health.
- Wipe the towel with a napkin
If it is stained, the paint is not resistant, it will shed.
Photo: tsn.ua
- Iron the pile
Touch, feel, walk on the terry with your fingernail. If the villi are pulled out, the product will not last long.
- See the towel in the light
Check in the sun or a bright lamp for how tightly and evenly the fabric is woven. If it glows like gauze, it won't last long.
- Check the seams
Double-stitched finished edges indicate good quality. Overlock stitches will wear out quickly. The more often the screeds, the better - they hold the line tightly, the seams will not creep.
Helpful article: "How to make towels soft"
Watch a video life hack on how to make a soft toy out of a terry towel
