Choosing the right towels

Choosing the right towel at the right price isn't that easy

With so much choice on the internet, how can anyone decide which towels and at what prices are appropriate?

All towels have a fabric weight, you will see references to "gsm" weight. This means the density and the "amount" of fabric that has been used to make that particular towel. We believe that any towel that is below about 400gsm will feel and look thin and possibly "cheap" (hold it up to the light and see how translucent it is), but if that is what you want, it will no doubt "do the job" perfectly well.

The weight of a towel is frequently inaccurate from our experience. It's easy to check in a shop by feeling the quality and weight of a towel, holding it up to the light, checking the thread finish, but it is impossible to check a towel if you're shopping online.

We should dispel a common misconception, that the heavier (gsm) the towel, the better it is. Is your idea of a quality towel softness, or is it absorbency, maybe it's longevity, it really shouldn't just be based on weight.

Sometimes a lighter weight towel can have great absorbency and softness, or simply be the ideal product in a business application due to the cost of replacement, cost of laundry, practicality of storage.

So how do you choose?

Well the first question to ask is "what is the main use of the towels going to be?", and what do you need from them. In a domestic application, a soft luxurious towel will be appreciated by the whole family (this doesn't mean you need to get a prestigious towel from a fashion house as the quality is certainly not guaranteed in our experience). In a business application your needs may well be practicality of care - easy wash, quick drying, cost effective to replace etc.

To add to the choices we now have variations of textiles and finish - organics, modal fibres, bamboo, cottons of course, linen (soft and coarse) mixes and weaves etc, and new textiles emerging all the time. The finishes mentioned are great, and essentially all are easily cared for.

You can't really go wrong with a 100% cotton bath towel though, whatever the weight of that towel.  However, the finish is important, will it "thread up" or keep its tight weave and quality after successive washes, and that can only be judged by trial and sample.

Towelrus classifications

Towelsrus provide a good broad selection of what we consider quality towels at different weights and fabrics for most applications.

We classify the towels by using names such as "Luxury" or "Classic".. generally speaking this would denote the weight of the towel (as a reference only).

The Aztex Classic Range is 450gsm weight, and our most popular practical, business towels - hair dressers, salons, therapists etc. - easy to wash, absorbent, hard wearing stock.

The Egyptian Luxury cotton towels are heavier (dense weave) weight, with the luxury and strength of Egyptian cotton, still regarded as a sign of quality.

Bamboo fibre towels for ultimate softness and absorbency. These towels are a rare example of a new natural fibre.
 

The choice is yours

Whatever type of towel you choose, ensure the seams and stitches are tight, close and not "threaded" or hanging out and always follow the care instructions and guidelines to ensure your towels last a long time.  If you do find the odd renegade thread peeking out, simply cut it off with the scissors neatly and continue using your towel.

Never ever leave your towel damp and wet for too long. Once that musky smell sets in, there is no removing it, and your towel will always reek of dampness!