As far as home linens go, towels are most often taken for granted. The power of a towel shouldn't be underestimated. From the soothing calmness of a warm bath towel to the subtle decorative influence of a well-placed hand towel, the unsung heroes of the textile world have more effect on your home than you may give them credit for. This towel buying guide should help you pick the right towel for every circumstance.
Your search for the perfect bathroom accessories should always begin with towels. There are a variety of factors that come together to create the perfect bath towel, and finding a towel that fits these characteristics can be one of your more confusing bath decorating tasks. Don't panic, though, you'll be spending a lot of time with your new towels, and you'll feel wonderful upon finding towels perfect for your situation. Having a bath towel you can truly enjoy is worth the hunt.
The first attribute you'll want to look for in a new towel is its fabric. Bath towels are manufactured using a diverse array of fabrics, and the differences can affect your satisfaction and the life of a towel. Knowing what distinguishes Egyptian cotton towels from microfiber bath towels is essential.
Egyptian cotton towels: Egyptian cotton towels are one of the most popular types of bath towels. In contrast to a regular cotton towel, the long fibers of Egyptian cotton ensure the softness and durability of this sort of towel.
Terry cloth towels: You'll find terry cloth towels and terry cloth robes to be extremely absorbent. That's because terry cloth is woven with extra yarn lengthwise in order to create hundreds of tiny sponges to suck up excess liquid. Quality terry cloth towels are easy to find at low prices, making them some of the best bath towels for the majority of situations.
Microfiber towels: Microfiber, a relatively recent innovation in the textile world, is produced from synthetic fibers. Because of microfiber's softness and excellent ability to absorb, microfiber towels are most often used for the washing and drying of objects with sensitive surfaces. A microfiber towel is essential if you want to dry an object without leaving unsightly streaks.
Turkish towels: If you're in the market for the ultimate in luxury, consider Turkish towels. The standard of opulence in bed and bath linens, Turkish towels are as thick and supple as you'll find. The thickness of a Turkish towel ensures superior comfort, but don't expect to throw one in your suitcase -- Turkish towels are bulky!
Velour towels: Velour towels are strictly for ornamental purposes. If you're looking for towels that will look nice hanging on your bathroom wall, velour towels will work fine, but don't expect them to provide much in the way of absorbency.
After selecting a fabric, the next step in picking the best towel for your needs is determining what size will work for you. Towels are made in a number of sizes, but the most popular towel sizes range from grand to petite:
Bath sheet towel: Ranging from 35 inches x 60 inches to 40 inches x 70 inches, bath sheet towels are blanket-sized pieces of material big enough to make you feel like royalty. These oversized bath towels do a terrific job of warmly wrapping you after a long soak.
Bath towel: The standard bath towel starts at about 27 inches x 52 inches, and can be found in sizes up to 30 inches x 58 inches. Although not as huge as a bath sheet towel, the average bath towel is ideal for most drying duties. Plus, unlike its jumbo relative, the standard bath towel is easier to clean, as it will leave more room in the washing machine.
Hand towel: It's important to pick the right size for your hand towels, which differ in size from 16 inches x 28 inches to 18 inches x 30 inches. A hand towel that's too small may not hang correctly from a towel rack. A good-sized hand towel will hang correctly and allow for enough room to dry properly. This is one of the more popular sizes of embroidered towels.
Finger towel: At 11 inches x 18 inches, finger towels are a slightly smaller version of hand towels. They're great for smaller spaces and are an excellent touch to your bathroom decor.
Wash cloth: The towels with the smallest overall area are washcloths, coming in at about 13 inches x 13 inches. These tiny towels are the quintessential in-shower size.
The color of your towels shouldn't be solely dependent on the paint on your walls. You'll want to take the other aspects of your bathroom into account, such as your plumbing fixtures and the job your towels will be performing. The most popular colors of towels for bathrooms are tan and white, but don't let that stop you from branching out. You can have a lot of fun choosing unique colors of towels for your bathroom. In fact, solid towels in colors other than tan and white will often look newer longer. A spunky green towel can bring a bit of life to your bathroom, or an energetic red bath towel set can set a truly dynamic mood.
What makes a truly durable towel?
There are a few things to look for when you want a long-lasting bath towel set. Of course, look for towel brands you've been able to depend on before. Egyptian cotton towels are your best bet as far as strength, but you'll also want to look for towels with double-turned edges. Double-turned edges are reinforced with double stitching, ensuring that your towels will hold up to all kinds of use.
What are some other ways to cover up after bathing?
Overstock.com offers a variety of men's robes and women's robes, pullovers and garments for after your bath, shower or sauna. They're a welcome comfort to any bathroom. They will help maintain your warmth post-bath and dry you off while you do other bathroom tasks like brushing your teeth or doing your hair. You might also consider bath wraps, which are pieces of cloth made with elastic to make sure they stay on while you move around.
How should I wash my towels?
Taking proper care of your bath towels is essential to guaranteeing their long life. Make sure to run all new towels through the wash once before use; it will help rinse out any extra dye that was left in them during their manufacturing. Next, don't worry about washing your bath towels after every use. Invest in a towel rack, which will allow you to air dry your wet towels after multiple uses. Laundering your towels after every few uses will keep them from becoming worn out quickly; not overusing your washing machine will save you in energy costs. When you do wash your towels, use warm water and separate them according to color, and tumble dry on low. Avoid using fabric softener when washing your towels, as it will decrease their ability to absorb.
Avoid a color matching headache with bath towel sets
Putting eye-pleasing towel color combinations together can be enjoyable, but it can also be a major time consumer. Avoid the color matching hustle and opt for pre-selected color combinations. Overstock.com has bath towel sets which are designed by professionals to look great from the get-go, so you won't have to worry about finding the right shade of finger towels to go with your bath towels.
Coordinate with curtains and rugs
There are a couple of easy ways to make your new towels stand out. Shower curtains are made in thousands of colors, fabrics and patterns. Bath rugs are also made in any color you can think of, meaning you'll be able to pick one that compliments your bath towel set perfectly. Overstock.com offers a huge selection of shower curtains and bath rugs.
Accessorize
Your bath towel set may look beautiful, but you can take it a step further with bath accessories. Take a look at the towel racks offered by Overstock.com. A shiny new mirror can make an old bathroom look new again. If you're looking for a fun new detail in your bathroom, choose from one of our many soap dispensers.
Stock up
It's good to have extra bath towels around in case you have visitors. The best hosts know to have a supply of hygienic bath towels, face towels and washcloths for their houseguests. But don't stop at the bathroom. Overstock.com is your place for discount dish towels, dischcloths, tea towels, embroidered aprons, beach towels, paper towels, tissues, wet wipes and roller towels. With the great deals on bathroom towels offered by Overstock.com and our everyday low price shipping, having bath towel reinforcements is easy and affordable!
