HSN Homepage > Home Decor > HSN Bedding Guide > bath towels

HSN Bedding Guide - Bath Towels

Bonus! How to Buy Bath Towels

They can be spa-like indulgences after a long shower or the perfect hue to brighten up the bathroom. Bath towels are everyday items that are both practical and ornamental. Consider fabric, size, weight, construction and color when you buy bath towels for your bathroom.

Bath Towel Material

Most bath towels are made of cotton, but cotton towels vary in their softness, absorbency, durability and color-fastness. Fabric type is the most important feature of a bath towel. Here are some of the most common fabrics:

Bamboo bath towels • can be 100% bamboo, but are more often a bamboo and cotton blend. Bamboo bath towels are lush, supple and color-fast. The bamboo plant is naturally anti-bacterial, grows heartily in a pest-free environment and makes a super absorbent fabric.

Egyptian cotton bath towels • made of the highest quality cotton and are one of the most popular types of bath towels. Egyptian cotton fibers are extra-long and highly absorbent, making Egyptian cotton bath towels the most exquisite way to end a shower or bath. Luxurious Egyptian cotton has a very long lifespan when properly cared for.

Microfiber bath towels • a fairly new type of towel. Microfiber is made by blending polyester and polyamide fibers (80/20 ratio is common). Microfiber grabs dust, dirt, dry skin, makeup and oil without chemicals.

Organic cotton bath towels • are woven from cotton untouched by unnatural fertilizers or pesticides. Certified organic cotton is grown and harvested to leave the smallest possible carbon footprint, and organic cotton bath towels are usually created under the same earth-friendly mantra.

Pima cotton bath towels • are grown from the same plant used for Egyptian cotton, only Pima cotton (and its brand name, Supima cotton) is grown in southwestern U.S. Like their Egyptian cousins, Pima cotton bath towels are known for being strong and thirsty.

Turkish cotton bath towels • are made of extra-long cotton fibers similar to Egyptian cotton towels. The cotton grown in the Aegean region is soft, fluffy and strong. Turkish cotton bath towels are absorbent ( but not as absorbent as Egyptian cotton ) so they are ideal for warm climates with excessive moisture. Turkish cotton bath towels are known as being thick and luxurious.

Bath Towel Size

Towels aren't one size fits all. Choose your bath towel size on the job it needs to do, where it will be stored and personal preference.

Bath sheet	Bath Towel	Hand Towel	Finger Towel	Wash Cloth	Tub Mat
35 x 60 inches to 40 x 70 inches	27 x 52 inches to 30 x 58 inches	16 x 28 inches to 18 x 30 inches	11x18 inches	13 x 13 inches	27 x 52 inches
oversized for more coverage; spa-worthy; luxurious	most common; easier to clean and hang than bath sheets	used to dry hands and as decorative accents; choose size based on towel rack area	mini hand towels; used to accent bathroom decor or as guest room hand towels	used to wash hands; body and face in and out of the shower and bath	absorbent; protects the floor outside the tub or shower

Bath Towel Weight

Plush towels weigh at least 21 ounces, while luxury hotel bath towels weigh anywhere between 24 and 28 ounces.

Good bath towels are described as feeling heavy, but heavy does not always indicate quality. A lighter towel made with luxury fabric may feel superior compared to a heavier towel made with lower grade cotton.

Bath Towel Construction

A good bath towel is both soft and strong. Bath towels can be constructed with different methods to improve quality.

Combed cotton bath towels • are literally combed to remove shorter threads and debris, leaving the strongest and longest threads to be woven into the bath towel.

Ringspun cotton bath towels • are made by twisting long and short fibers together to make smoother, finer yarn. The created yarn feels more luxurious than combed cotton bath towels threads.

Terry cloth bath towels • have larger thread loops and are woven with an extra yarn. This extra material makes terry cloth bath towels very absorbent.

Loops can help make bath towels more absorbent. You won't be able to see the base of an absorbent bath towel because it is masked by many tightly packed loops.

A durable bath towel has a strong fabric, the strongest being Egyptian cotton. Bath towels with double-turned edges with double stitching are extra tough for washing machine and dryer usage.

Bath Towel Color

Use bath towels to jazz up a bathroom by picking colors that play off of the walls, fixtures, flooring or existing decorative accents. First, decide if you want the bath towels to draw attention or blend in.

Neutral-color bath towels will look good just about anywhere and let other bathroom elements get all the attention.

Boldly colored bath towels can make a bathroom unique and patterned bath towels can make a solid-colored bathroom interesting.

Take a look at your space and determine what type of bath towel will work for you.

• shop bath towels