Towels seem to be a small part of our daily routine, but they are significant in maintaining our hygiene and comfort. From taking showers to drying dishes, different towel types play a vital role due to their fabrics and textures. This blog is a complete guide to towel names and types used to fulfill a wide range of purposes. Moreover, you will get to know what towels are and their importance in our daily routine.
What Is a Towel?
A towel is an absorbent, soft piece of fabric that is used to soak up the moisture from your hair, body, and surfaces like kitchen shelves, dishes, cars, etc. Usually, towels are made from cotton, microfiber, bamboo, and linen, all the materials that are used to soak up moisture.
Also, towels come in a variety of sizes to serve the purposes they are designed for. For example, bath towels are designed for soaking up the moisture after showers. Kitchen towels help in cleaning the kitchen and dishes. Beach towels are helpful for lying down on sand or cleaning the water off the body.
Towel Types: Names and Properties
Let’s learn about towel names, fabrics and uses:
1- Bath Towels
Bath towels are among the most commonly used towels because they are used in almost every household for baths and showers. They are made from cotton, bamboo, or microfiber, making them soft and absorbent. Their drying efficiency is extraordinary.
The standard size is approximately 27 x 52 inches (70 x 125 cm), which helps in covering the body. However, various types of bath towels can vary according to their material and sizes.
2- Bath Sheets
Bath sheets are large-sized towels that cover the whole body. They are ideal for people who prefer luxurious coverage. If you require a spa-like experience, bath sheets are the best option for you.
3- Face Towels
Face towels are small, soft, and gentle, designed to care for the face. The common uses of face towels are drying the face after washing, skincare, and makeup removal. Many women don’t prefer using the same towels for body and skin, which is why they use a separate face towel to clean their faces. The size of a face towel is usually 30 x 30 cm, making it a very small towel in the family, perfect for the face.
4- Hair Towels
Hair towels are used by women with long hair. They are large to cover and dry all the hair. They are super absorbent, making them ideal for daily showers. Hair towels are made of terry cloth and 100% cotton. They are commonly used in luxury hotels and homes.
5- Washcloth
The smallest towel in the family is the washcloth, with a 12 x 12 or 12 x 13 dimension. It is similar to face towels due to the size, as it can also be used to wipe the face. They are made from 100% cotton, a cotton-polyester blend, and bamboo fabric. They are used to clean the skin and cleanse oils and dirt.
6- Kitchen Towel
Kitchen towels are the best to wipe dishes, counters, and other kitchen essentials. They are made from cotton or linen, making them highly absorbent and durable. These towels are the best for everyday kitchen needs.
7- Hand Towels
Hand towels are small towels that are used for bathrooms and powder rooms. These towels are the decorative items that also dry the water quickly. You can place them near the sink. The size of these towels is typically 50 x 90.
8- Beach Towels
Beach towels are used for beaches, picnics, and swimming pools. They are larger in size and efficiently designed to handle sand, sun, and water. They are thin but can absorb water and dry quickly.
9- Shower Mat
A shower mat is also called a bath mat. It is not really considered a towel but works like one due to its moisture-absorbent quality. You can stand on it after stepping out of the shower so that it can soak up the water from your feet and prevent you from slipping. It is usually made from 100% cotton, an ideal material to use for water absorption.
10- Gym Towels
Gym towels are the ones you see in fitness centers or gyms. They are perfect for workouts, fitness activities, and sports. They are sweat-absorbent, which is why athletes and fitness enthusiasts keep them while doing their exercises and sports activities.
They are antibacterial and lightweight. Their compactness makes them perfect for intense workout routines and easy to carry.
11- Spa Towels
Spa towels are used at spas and salons, mostly. However, you can use them at home for pampering sessions. These towels are thick, absorbent, and super soft to enhance comfort during massages, treatments, and facials. The best quality of the spa towels is their warmth retention that keeps the body at ease.
12- Paper Towels
These are the highly absorbent and disposable towels. They instantly soak up the water and get ruined. They come in folded layers and rolls that you can place by the sink. Since they are disposable, you can use one layer only once and then dispose of it. They are best for kitchens and washrooms for drying your hands and face.
13- Towel Sheets
Towel sheets are considered bath linens but come last in the bath towel category because of their huge size (100 cm x 150 cm). Unlike a regular bath towel, these sheets can wrap around you. They are quicker in absorbing the water and offer more warmth.
14- Cooling Towel
Cooling towels are very useful on hot summer days since they offer relief by being cold like ice packs. You can soak them in water for a few minutes, dry them and wrap them over the part of your body that requires cooling relief. They work really well for sore muscles.
15- Pet Towels
Pet towels are made for pets like cats and dogs. They are used to dry them after giving them baths. They are lightweight and come in various sizes, depending on the pet’s needs.
These towels are helpful in drying the pets quickly and avoiding the unpleasant odor that could come from your pets for being wet for longer. In order to prevent this problem, use the pet towels made from synthetic microfiber with high absorbency and additional warmth.
16- Tea Towels
Typically tea towels are used to cover the hot-baked products. They are feasible for serving tea with. Originally, these towels were used in the 18th century for tea ceremonies. They are made of cotton and linen.
17- Decorative Towels
Decorative towels are just like any other towels used for kitchens and baths but they are more stylish in terms of colors and looks. They are your holiday towels with vibrant appeal and colors.
18- Turkish towels
Turkish towels are recognized by their long fibers and softness. They are durable and aesthetic. They can be used as bath towels, hand towels, and many others due to their absorbency and quality. They have fringes at their ends, making them stylish and ornamental.
What Are Towels Made Of?
Towels are made from fabrics that can absorb water or moisture. Here are the most common materials for towels.
1. Cotton (Ideal for daily bath towels)
- Organic
- Soft
- Breathable
- Highly absorbent
- Durable
- Varieties of cotton used for towels (Egyptian cotton, Turkish cotton, and Pima cotton)
2. Bamboo
- Organic and eco-friendly
- Soft
- Antibacterial
- Hypoallergenic
- Highly absorbent
- Used for baby towels
3. Microfiber
- Synthetic fabric: a blend of polyester and polyamide.
- Lightweight
- Highly absorbent
- Quick-drying
- Used for gym and hair towels
4. Linen
- Natural material
- Durable material.
- Quick-drying
- Less soft than cotton but more durable
- Commonly used for tea towels and kitchen towels
5. Modal
- Semi-synthetic fiber made from beech tree pulp.
- Soft
- Silky texture
- Highly absorbent
- Better than cotton in absorbency
- Ideal for spa towels
6. Blended Fabrics (mixtures of cotton and polyester)
- Commercial usage
- Affordable
- Less shrinkage
How to Get the Best Towels?
To get the best towels, look for the high-quality fabrics, GSM, customization, stitching, and finishing. Find the reliable towel manufacturers who can create the perfect towels for you. Mostly, brands acquire the services of manufacturing companies since they want products in bulk.
The suppliers can also create custom towels for companies, homes, retailers, brands, and direct customers. However, the MOQ condition must be met, which is a limited quantity of products. You can also trust the brands with excellent reputations for premium quality towels.
Conclusion
Towels are a necessity of every household, hotel, hospital, gym, spa, restaurant, and every other setting that requires water-absorbing cloths. In this blog, I have mentioned the best types of towels for you to decide which one suits you the best.
This is the best knowledge that can even help you start a brand with the help of towel names and information about where to get towels. As a regular user, now you know what a towel is and how many types of bath towels exist. Read this blog thoroughly to be certain about your choices.
