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

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

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

Microfiber - a fairly new type of towel made by blending polyester and polyamide fibers. Microfiber grabs dust, dirt, dry skin, makeup and oil without the use of chemicals.

Organic cotton - an earth-friendly option, woven from cotton untouched by chemical fertilizers or pesticides. Certified organic cotton is grown and harvested to leave the smallest possible carbon footprint.

Pima cotton - grown from the same plant used for Egyptian cotton, Pima cotton (and its trademarked name, Supimaâ„¢ cotton) is grown in the southwestern U.S. and is considered to be a superior type of cotton known for its soft, strong and absorbent fibers.

Turkish cotton - grown in the Aegean region, Turkish cotton is luxuriously thick, fluffy and strong and is made of extra-long cotton fibers similar to Egyptian cotton towels. These towels are highly absorbent, so they are ideal for warm climates with excessive moisture.

Bath Towel Weight
Plush towels weigh at least 21 ounces, while luxurious hotel bath towels can 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 high-end fabrication may feel superior compared to a heavier towel made with lower-grade cotton.

Bath Towel Construction
Bath towels can be constructed with different methods to improve quality.

A quality bath towel is both soft and strong. A durable bath towel has a strong fabric, the strongest being Egyptian cotton. Bath towels with double-turned edges and double stitching are extra resilient for frequent washing and drying.

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

Ringspun cotton - made by twisting long and short fibers together to make smoother, finer yarn. The finished product feels more plush than combed cotton.

Terry cloth - larger thread loops and are woven with extra yarn, making terry cloth bath towels very absorbent.

Loops - 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.

Bath Towel Color

Use bath towels to lend personality to your bathroom by picking colors that play off of the walls, fixtures, flooring or decorative accents. Take a look at your space and determine what type of bath towel will work for you. Decide if you want the bath towels to draw attention or simply 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 lend unique style to any bathroom.

Patterned bath towels can make a solid-colored bathroom more visually appealing.