There's no denying that a towel plays a crucial role in our daily routines, from drying off after a shower to wiping our hands in the kitchen. Yet, with an overwhelming variety of materials available, selecting the perfect towel can feel like a daunting task. That's why we've compiled a comprehensive guide, diving into 27 types of towel materials, each with its unique characteristics, absorption ability, and drying speed. With this guide, we aim to provide you with the necessary knowledge to make an informed choice about your next towel purchase.
Linen Towels
- Egyptian Cotton: Luxurious and highly absorbent due to long fibers, but may take longer to dry due to its density.
- Turkish Cotton: Balances between absorbency and quick-drying capabilities, less dense than Egyptian cotton.
- Pima Cotton (Supima): High-quality cotton with long fibers resulting in a soft, absorbent, and durable towel, slightly faster drying time than Egyptian cotton.
- Microfiber: Synthetic material, extremely absorbent and dries very quickly.
- Bamboo: Eco-friendly, naturally antibacterial, super absorbent, soft, and dries faster than cotton.
- Linen: Made from flax fibers, naturally antimicrobial, absorbent, and dries very quickly.
- Organic Cotton: Made without harmful chemicals, soft, absorbent, and has a moderate drying time.
- Modal: Made from beech tree pulp, 50% more absorbent than cotton and dries moderately quickly.
- Zero Twist Cotton: The fibers are not twisted during manufacturing making them more absorbent and quick-drying.
- Muslin: Lightweight and breathable, moderately absorbent and quick to dry.
- Velour: A plush, knitted fabric or textile, moderately absorbent but may take a bit longer to dry.
- Terry Cloth: A type of cotton with uncut loops, highly absorbent, and moderate to slow drying time.
- Flannel: Soft woven fabric, moderately absorbent, and has a moderate drying time.
- Fouta: Originating from Tunisia, highly absorbent and fast drying.
- Jacquard: A type of cotton with a complex weave, moderately absorbent, and moderate drying time.
- Birdseye Cotton: Lightweight, absorbent and quick-drying fabric.
- Jersey Cotton: A type of knitted fabric, moderately absorbent and quick drying.
- French Terry Cotton: Features small loops on one side and a soft surface on the other, highly absorbent, moderate drying time.
- Waffle Weave Cotton: Known for its ability to dry quickly, waffle weave is absorbent due to its unique weave.
- Cotton Velour: Very soft and plush, moderately absorbent, and may take longer to dry.
- Cotton Polyester Blend: Combines the absorbency of cotton with the durability and quick-drying properties of polyester.
- Lyocell: A type of rayon, it's soft, strong, absorbent, and dries quickly.
- Rayon: A synthetic fabric, moderately absorbent and dries moderately quickly.
- Cotton Terry: Similar to terry cloth, it's highly absorbent with a moderate to slow drying time.
- Silk: Luxurious and smooth, less absorbent than cotton, and dries quickly.
- Satin: Smooth and glossy, less absorbent, but dries quickly.
- Chenille: Soft and fuzzy, highly absorbent, and may take a bit longer to dry due to its pile.
Pima Cotton Towels (Supima)
While each towel material has its own unique traits, they all promise to improve your daily routine when paired with a heated towel rack. Heated towel racks not only ensure you have a warm towel ready after a shower but also aid in drying your towels faster. Adjust the heat settings for delicate materials like silk and satin to avoid any potential damage. Our Sirio, Quadro, Antus, and Vega collections come standard with a Digital Heat Controller, allowing you to manage the heat for different towel materials easily. Whether you prefer the plush luxury of Egyptian Cotton or the quick-drying convenience of Microfiber, a heated towel rack is a perfect companion to enhance the longevity and comfort of your chosen towel. Happy toweling!