How to Choose the Best Bath Towels

Nothing feels more comforting and relaxing than a hot shower after a long, tiring day.  Imagine pampering yourself with body oils, fragrances, your favourite music, and wrapping yourself in a soft and plush bath sheet or an unbelievably soft bath towel.  Feels like bliss, right?

It can be a daunting task to choose the perfect towels for your bathing experience since there are a whole lot of options available.  Let us make this process easier for you.  Here’s everything you need to know about picking the best towels for your home.  

Let's begin with what kind of materials are best for the construction of your towels:

A good quality towel comes down to the most basic feature which is absorbency.  One of the materials that absorbs the most water is cotton.  But there’s a catch!  Not all cotton bath towels and bath sheets are created equal.  The use of regular cotton towels can irritate sensitive skin, as conventional cotton involves the use of chemicals and non-organic dyes in its production. 

On the other hand, GOTS-certified organic cotton is made using natural fibres and only organic dyes which ensures a higher-quality and super-soft towel for you, that is gentle on your skin.

To learn more about the difference between regular and organic cotton products, read on here. 

The role of GSM (grams per square meter) in towels: 

The weight of your towel is measured in grams per square meter (GSM).

The optimal range for luxury bath towels is between 500 and 700 GSM.  Premium towels are thicker, softer, and more absorbent, placing them at the upper end of the spectrum.  

A lighter or medium-weight towel with a lower GSM (of between 500 and 600) will be quick-to-dry.

Here at Homebird, we offer you both our Plush towels which are a heavier weight, luxury towel and made in a 700 GSM, and our Classic towels which are a medium-weight (600 GSM), quick-drying towel.  You can choose what works best for you, without compromising on organic and sustainable materials. 

There are many downsides of using towels under 500 GSM:

• Reduced absorbency: Lower GSM towels have much less absorbency as there are fewer fibres per square meter and they cannot hold as much water. This could leave you feeling moist and irritated!  
• Durability Issues: Low GSM towels typically use lower-quality materials and construction, which might result in shorter lifespans.  Compared to towels with a higher GSM content, they could get thinner, fray more quickly, and even tear more easily. 
• Mold Growth: If the towel isn't dried completely, the reduced absorbency could serve as a haven for mold and mildew, endangering your health as well as the hygiene of the towel.

Picking the right towel size:

• Bath sheet vs Bath towel: a standard bath towel typically measures 55”x 30” but it can vary a little for different brands.  Bath towels are perfect for everyday use and are big enough to wrap around your waist and torso.  
• A bath sheet on the other hand, usually measures 70” x 36”.  It is an excellent choice if you are looking for some extra comfort because it is large enough to cover your whole body. Bath sheets can add a spa-like touch to your bathroom.  
• Hand towels usually measure 30” x 20”.  They are used for washing your hands and face.  These are more frequently used than any other kind of towels and thus choosing plusher, more absorbent towels is always a good idea!  
• A washcloth or ‘face towel’ typically measures 13” x 13” and is the smallest of all towel sizes.  It is used for drying your face outside of the shower. 

Bonus tip: If you take proper care of your bath towels, they will last for many years and remain in excellent shape.  We recommend using a light/natural detergent to wash them in cold water with like colours and on a gentle cycle.  Avoid the use of bleach or harsher detergents.  Hang to dry or tumble dry on low heat.