TEXTILES FOR TOWELS
BACKGROUND
What is the origin of towels?
Most historians give Turkey, and specifically its city of Bursa, the credit for
creating the first bath towels in the 1600s. The towels, a thin woven piece of
linen or cotton then, played an important part in Turkish culture because,
well, baths played an important role.
However, the invention of the towel is commonly associated with the city of
Bursa, Turkey, in the 17th century. These Turkish towels began as a flat,
woven piece of cotton or linen called a peshtamal, often hand-embroidered.
Today towels have evolved and they appear in various types.
The parts of a towel
The five parts of a towel
A woven towel typically consists of five main parts: the pile area, the
selvage, the beginning and end parts, the borders, and the fringes. Let’s
take a look at each of these parts and see how they affect the appearance
and performance of a towel.
Pile area
When you reach for a towel and grab something plush, crisp, soft, or wet,
that part you’re grabbing is most likely the pile area. Towels are woven
fabrics, and the style of weave in the pile area determines a towel’s quality.
You’ll often hear the phrase GSM (grams per square meter) used to
describe a towel. This measure of weight and quality is most affected by
what’s happening in the pile area.
The way yarns are woven in the pile area also determines how the towel
looks. If you close your eyes and picture a towel, you’ll most likely imagine a
fluffy one with repeated “terry loops”. But terry loops aren’t the only effective
weave. Some other popular towel weaves are waffle, gauze, lattice, and
ribbing. We’ll take a closer look at weaves in Lesson 3 on types of towel
fabric.
The weave style, combined with the choice of yarn, gives a towel its unique
characteristics. Depending on the intended use of the towel, the pile area
can be designed to have different properties: it may absorb liquids better,
dry more quickly, or repel dirt.
Selvage
Examples of towel selvages (thinner border) and end parts
The selvage runs along the entire length of a towel on either side, helping to
reinforce the towel edges. It’s made with a simple weave, and then folded
over and sewn along the length to form a seal.
Most products use a single thread to create this seal, but some higherquality towels use two threads to make a tighter and longer-lasting seal.
Typically between ¼” and ⅛” wide, the selvage often goes unnoticed, but
it’s a critical element that prevents a towel from unraveling.
Beginning and end parts
The beginning and end parts seal and secure the top and bottom of a towel.
This is where towel designers can be a bit more creative! Varying in size
and appearance, these top and bottom edges are generally wider than the
selvage and can feature unique patterns or weaves that complement the
design of the pile area.
While it’s nice to have a design or accent on the towel edge, larger
beginning and end parts result in a smaller usable pile area.
Border
Towels aligned using the border
Not all towels have a border, but it’s common on bath towels. A towel border
serves several purposes:
•
It helps prevent unraveling and fraying.
•
It provides an area for decoration or a place to put branding.
•
It provides an easy way for stacked towels to be matched quickly.
A border will often use a different texture or color from the pile area, and can
sometimes feature intricate patterns.
Fringe
Common fringe designs
A towel’s fringe is the decorative embellishment you sometimes see on the
ends of a towel. Fringes began as an ornamental feature as part of the
bridal ceremony in traditional Turkish weddings. To make the towels more
festive, the yarn was allowed to continue at the end of the towel and was
twisted into tassels, instead of the traditional method of using a fold to close
the edges.
Fringes can have different appearances, ranging from thick, twisted bundles
of yarn in tassels to thin and regular strands. While they offer a unique look,
towels with complex fringes need special care to keep the fringes from
tangling or unraveling.
TYPES
Optimal Uses for Every Type of Towel
Bath towel
Our bodies are a relatively larger surface that can get covered in a lot of
water after a shower. Hence, bath towels come in a sufficiently large size to
properly dry the body.
Spa towel
After you indulge in a relaxing spa and take a quick dip in the swimming
pool, you wouldn't want to lug around a large bath towel for a quick dry. In
such situations, an additional spa towel does an efficient job.
Bath mat
A wet tiled floor can be very slippery. It would be best if you had something
to stand on as you dry yourself off after taking a bath or shower. A bath mat
provides a stable footing for you as you dry yourself off.
Hand towel
You could dry your hands off using any of the above towels. However, some
bacteria may remain on the hands even after washing them. You do not
want to transfer them to your face or body. Hence, using a dedicated hand
towel is best to dry your hands.
Types of Towels every household needs
Hair towel
Draping giant bath towels around the head can cause unnecessary friction
to hair strands. Hair towels are great for drying hair quickly in multiple sizes
to suit different hair lengths.
Face towel
If you use the same towel to dry your hair and face, you transfer oil, product
residue, and bacteria into your pores leading to irritation and inflammation,
especially if you have sensitive skin. Face towels are gentle on the skin and
provide a clean, fresh dry.
Kitchen towel
You can use kitchen towels to rest pots, wipe counters or pull baked
goodies from the oven. These handy decorative towels can be chosen to
suit the design and theme of your overall kitchen.
Bath towel
Bath towels can be wrapped around the entire body after a shower or a
bath. They dry you off pretty quickly because of the water content they can
absorb.
Why should you care about towel types?
Towels are an investment in ones home and overall lifestyle. You wouldn't
want your guest to scramble around searching for towels after dinner or
your kid stuffing huge bath towels in their gym bags. Not only dedicated
towels are convenient to use, but they also prevent bacteria and maintain
clean, hygienic homes.
BUYING TOWELS
QUALITY
GSM is a measure of weight that means "grams per square meter"
GSM is directly aligned with a towel's quality, feel, and performance
GSM, or "grams per square meter" is a measure of towel weight expressed
as a number. GSM is used for both cotton and bamboo towels and is
directly aligned with a towel’s quality, feel, and performance. In cotton bath
towels the typical GSM range is between 300 and 900 GSM. Towels with a
higher GSM will be heavier, softer, and more absorbent towels. High GSM
cotton towels are usually better quality. In general, a cotton bath towel that
weighs 400 GSM and above is considered to be good quality.
Beyond just GSM, another essential variable to consider is the quality of the
cotton from which a towel is woven. The finest towels in the world and many
of the lines we carry are Egyptian cotton towels made from Giza cotton
(famous for its extra long staple cotton fibers) or U.S.-grown Supima cotton
(also referred to as pima cotton). These long-staple -- or long-fiber -- cottons
are stronger, softer and more resistant to pilling and wear than other types
of cotton.
Giza is a high-quality Egyptian cotton grown along the Nile River Delta,
where nutrient-rich waters of the river and cool sea air serve to temper the
otherwise hot Egyptian summer temperatures. High levels of humidity in this
area create a unique environment that is perfect for growing cotton. To
ensure its quality and preserve the strength of its long fibers, all Giza cotton
is picked by hand rather than being machine harvested. You can learn more
about why Giza cotton is special here.
Supima cotton is a superior type of cotton grown only in the west and
southwest states of California, Arizona, Texas and New Mexico. It is a
superior type of cotton with an extra-long staple fiber that gives premium
properties of strength, softness, and color retention.
WHAT ARE THE MOST COMMON TOWEL SIZES?
The majority of luxury towel styles include offerings in standard sizes. There
may be slight variations among brands, but these measure up
approximately as follows:
Wash cloth 12" x 12"
Hand towels 17 x 30"
Standard bath towels 28" x 54"
Bath sheets 40" x 72"
MATERIALS
The secret to a towel’s superb absorbency lies in the fibers used, the
characteristics of the yarn, and its woven structure. Most towels are made
from cotton, although silk, synthetic and even nettle and wood fibers have
all been tried and tested. The reason we often fall back on cotton is that,
once processed, it is hydrophilic.
FINE COTTON: THE BASIS OF HIGH-QUALITY TOWELS
No matter the size, style, or manufacturer, we cannot talk about towels
without touching on the topic of cotton and how different cotton fibers affect
the look, feel, performance, and price of your towel.
ZERO-TWIST AND LOW-TWIST YARN
Look for zero-twist or low-twist cotton when purchasing luxury towels. When
cotton fibers are extra-long, strong, and supple, they do not need to be
twisted much (or at all) to make a luxurious, absorbent fabric. In contrast,
high twist yarn becomes harder and less absorbent.
EGYPTIAN COTTON AND GIZA EXTRA-LONG-STAPLE COTTON
Egyptian cotton towels are known to be supple, attractive, and soft to the
touch. These bath linens are super absorbent and durable. Egyptian Giza
cotton towels are made from cotton grown in the fertile Giza valley of the
Nile River, where the unique growing conditions and hand harvesting yield
the finest cotton on Earth.
MICROFIBER AND MICROCOTTON
Microfiber towels are known for being quick drying. Microfiber and Micro
Cotton towels are generally lightweight and less absorbent than types of
fibers. They made great gym towels but are suitable for home use, and
other on-the-go activities.
ORGANIC COTTON
Organic cotton towels are typically made from 100% fair trade certified
organic cotton. Certified organic cotton has the strictest social and
environmental standards. These soft towels are generally light to medium
weight and dry fairly quickly -- they are mid-weight absorbent towels.
PIMA COTTON OR SUPIMA COTTON
Pima cotton (or the name brand Supima) offers luxurious softness, high
absorbency, fast-drying breathability, and strength through many washes.
Pima cotton is a great towel while still being affordable.
THE FIRST WASH - CARING FOR YOUR BRAND NEW TOWELS
As you unbox your towels, read and follow the instructions on the care label.
You'll want to launder your towels before using them for the first time.
Carefully remove any plastic tags using scissors prior to laundering to avoid
snags. Do not pull tags to remove as this can cause them to catch on fibers
and damage the fabric. Sort and wash by color, and use a small amount of
gentle detergent, preferably one formulated for fine linens. Wash your
towels in cold water; give them a gentle shake to fluff after removing from
the machine; and tumble dry on low heat.
Do's and Don'ts of caring for your luxury towels
DO sort and wash towels by color. Divide them into three general categories
-- white, light colors, and dark colors -- to prolong their life and avoid color
bleeding.
DON'T use brightening detergents, which will affect the color; chlorine
bleach, which will weaken fibers, fade colors, and create a rough texture; or
fabric softeners, which will harm the fibers and diminish absorbency.
DO use detergent sparingly. Residue can make the cloth rough and most
bath linens don't really get all that dirty. Consider using about 1/2 the
recommended amount, which will get the towels clean and keep them soft,
or opt for a product specially formulated to wash fine linens such as our line
of Heritage Park Laundry Essentials.
DON'T overstuff the washer or wash towels with other clothing items.
Rough and abrasive objects - buttons, zippers, embellishments, etc. can pull
at the pile and fray the towels. Bath rugs can also wear down towels, so
wash them separately.
DO wash your towels in cold water to help colors stay bright and extend the
life of the fibers. Excessive heat will damage fibers and increase the
shrinkage of the towel.
DO shake out your towels when changing over from the washer to the dryer.
This will ‘fluff' the fibers and speed up the drying period.
DON'T dry your towels on hot or over-dry them, as heat from the dryer can
damage fibers. After they've gone through the wash cycle, remove them
from the washing machine immediately and give them a shake to fluff the
terry loops that aid absorbency. Tumble dry on low heat, ideally with wool
dryer balls which will reduce drying time and leave your towels soft and
fluffy.
DON'T iron your towels, as this will reduce absorbency. Tumble dry on low
heat. Do not over-dry. The heat from the dryer will damage fibers.
DO hang your towels after using them instead of putting them in a hamper
where they can cause mildew.
DO take care of any stray pulled loops by cutting them off with a pair of
sharp scissors. This won't cause any damage the towel and will help avoid
further snagging and pulls down the line.
DON'T allow your towels to come in contact with bathroom cleansers and
beauty products that may contain bleaching agents that could cause
permanent discoloration.
NEVER dry clean your towels!
REVIVING AND RESTORING YOUR LUXURY BATH TOWELS: 3
SIMPLE STEPS
Over time, repeat laundering can affect even the finest towels. They may
become scratchy and stiff or even have a mildly unpleasant smell. Many
factors can cause this; most notably, it's the result of hard water.
You can restore your luxury bath towels with three simple steps using just
baking soda and white vinegar.
Wash your towels in warm to hot water -- not scalding -- with one cup of
white distilled vinegar. This will strip towels of any built-up residue and help
restore absorbency. DON'T USE DETERGENT, only white vinegar.
Run the load a second time using only a half-cup of baking soda. This will
help freshen and remove any lingering smells. AGAIN, DON'T USE
DETERGENT, only baking soda.
Dry according to instructions WITHOUT fabric softener sheets.
You can repeat this process when needed to keep your towels soft, fluffy,
and smelling fresh.
CHOOSING THE RIGHT DETERGENT - TOWELS LAST LONGER,
PERFORM BETTER
Choosing the proper detergent can dramatically extend the life and
performance of your bath towels. Harsh detergents can weaken fabric
thread fibers, causing them to look dull and lose absorbency. At Fine Linen
and Bath, we recommend using a detergent specially made for linens such
as Heritage Park Fine Fabric Wash or Le Blanc Linen Wash. These
products are formulated to remove tough stains; gently clean and preserve
delicate thread fibers; and keep your towels looking and feeling beautiful.
HOW TO WASH AND REVIVE LUXURY BATH TOWELS
No matter the size, high-quality cotton bath towels should be laundered with
care to keep them looking and feeling great. At Fine Linen and Bath, we
offer a specific set of guidelines that include using Heritage Park AllPurpose Laundry Detergent. This concentrated, pH-neutral detergent is
made with a proprietary enzyme blend that effectively cleans while
preserving the beauty and integrity luxury towels. Learn about how laundry
enzymes can treat tough stains here. We also recommend avoiding harsh
chemicals like bleach and never using fabric softener or dyer sheets;
instead, use wool dryer balls to soften towels and reduce drying time.
Over time, even the highest quality luxury towels can become scratchy, stiff,
and dull. They may even lose their absorbency. This is due to towel buildup, which happens from detergent and the minerals in hard water. The good
news is you can restore your towels to a like-new feel with baking soda and
vinegar. Follow these two simple steps:
1. Wash your towels in hot/warm water with one cup of white distilled
vinegar. Do NOT use detergent or fabric softener. This will clean the
individual fibers of your towel.
2. Run your towels a second time in hot/warm water with only half-cup of
baking soda. This will help freshen and remove any smells. Again, NO
detergent or fabric softener.
Dry towels as usual without dryer sheets. Your towels will feel soft and fluffy
and smell fresh! (Note: you can also use this method to refresh a scratchy
beach towel).
HOW TO CARE FOR LUXURY BATH TOWELS
In all cases, quality cotton bath towels should be laundered with care to
keep them looking and feeling great. At Fine Linen and Bath, we offer a
specific set of guidelines that include using Heritage Park All-Purpose
Laundry Detergent. This concentrated, pH-neutral detergent is made with a
proprietary enzyme blend that effectively cleans while preserving the beauty
and integrity luxury towels. We also recommend avoiding harsh chemicals
like bleach and never using fabric softener or dyer sheets; instead, use wool
dryer balls to soften towels and reduce drying time