How to choose a good body towel. How to choose the right terry towel

Every person comes across textile products such as terry towels every day. However, think about whether you can answer the question of how to distinguish a high-quality terry towel from a low-quality one? What indicators should buyers of terry products rely on when making a choice in favor of one brand or another?

In this article we will try to briefly provide general information about the structure, main characteristics and types of terry towels. Let's start with the characteristics. The two main properties of terry fabric that are important for the end user are, of course, density And heightpile terry towels.

Density measured in grams per square meter and for terry products ranges from 300 to 800 g/sq. m. The ability of terry fabric to absorb moisture directly depends on the density and number of fibers per unit area. Towels with a low density will only spread liquid over the surface without absorbing it, while towels that are too dense will be extremely heavy and inconvenient to use.

The second indicator pile height , is determined by the length of the loops forming the fabric. The optimal pile for towels is a pile whose height is approximately equal to 5 mm. Towels with terry loops that are too long will lose their shape under their own weight after the first wash, and lint that is too short will hardly absorb moisture.

Another important indicator that determines the quality of terry towels is the type of yarn from which they were woven. If the previous characteristics, with a certain skill, can be determined by eye and touch, then the type of yarn used in the manufacture of a towel is no longer so obvious to inexperienced buyers.

For the manufacture of terry products, three main types of yarn are used, differing in the length and quality of the cotton fibers used in production:

"Open end" (OE, or hardware yarn) - produced from short-staple cotton. Fabric woven from such a thread turns out to be quite hard to the touch, but cheap for production and, ultimately, for the buyer.

Carded yarn (“ring“) - made of medium-fiber cotton. The fabric becomes softer and smoother to the touch.

Combed yarn (“penye”) - produced from the best varieties of long-staple cotton. The fabric turns out very soft and silky. Fabric woven from such yarn is most valuable, but also costs accordingly.

For the production of economy class terry towels it is most often used hardware yarn . However, unlike knitted or denim products, the two-component structure of terry towels allows the use of different types of yarn in the production of warp threads and pile. For example, you can often find terry towels whose base, which usually does not come into contact with the skin during use, is woven from coarser hardware yarn, and the pile is from higher quality and softer carded yarn. This structure allows you to make towels cheaper without losing much quality.

Types of terry towels

Plain dyed towels(see Fig. 1)
Single color, no pattern. They are woven from undyed threads and then dyed entirely. Produced on rapier looms.

Plain jacquard towels (see fig.2)
Monochrome, with a pattern. The pattern is created by alternating areas with and without pile, created by adjusting the weaving equipment. They are woven from undyed threads, after which, again, they are dyed entirely. Produced on rapier weaving looms with jacquard installation.

Jacquard towels multi-colored (see fig.3)
Multicolor, with a pattern. The pattern is created through the use of already dyed threads during weaving and more complex adjustment of weaving equipment (creation of the necessary electronic programs).

Multicolored jacquard towel with embossed pattern (see fig.4)
Multicolor, with a pattern. The pattern is created by alternating areas with and without lint, as well as by using already dyed yarn of different colors.

Fig. 2 - Plain jacquard towel

Terry towels are one of the most popular products among all types of home textiles. They are used as towels for the kitchen, for swimming, for baths, saunas, and simply for drying hands.

But in order to buy a quality product, you should know certain rules and follow them.

1. Manufacturer. You can get confused by the abundance of manufacturing companies. But it is advisable to give preference to well-known companies and global brands. Producing countries such as Egypt, Pakistan, and Türkiye are very popular. High-quality cotton is produced there for subsequent production of terry.

But the prices, naturally, are high, even inflated. Therefore, in order to save on price and not skimp on quality, it is best to buy domestically produced products. For example, a good option would be the Valetex company, terry towels from which can be selected at the link: http://www.valetex.ru/mahrovyue_polotenca.

2. Absorbency. To determine the correct degree of absorbency, you need to carefully study the composition that is indicated on the product label. The type of yarn also determines absorbency. There are 4 types in total - single, double, twisted and combed yarn. It is believed that combed yarn has the best moisture absorption. Also, the absorbency of a terry towel depends on the “correct” length of the pile.

3. Pile. Terry towels do not like extremes - you should not choose too long (over 8 mm) or too short pile (3.5 mm and below). This approach is explained quite simply. Long pile, although it absorbs moisture very well and creates a pleasant impression of thickness, as a rule, quickly loses its presentation after washing. But short pile provides poor moisture absorption. This towel quickly becomes wet. The optimal length is considered to be about 5 mm.

4. Density. On average, a terry towel can last up to three years. However, this is far from his limit. To extend service life, you need to choose the right density. Products with low density (300 g/m2 or less) quickly become unusable. Therefore, you need to buy those with a higher indicator. Plus the sad thing is that the density is not indicated on the label. But there is a way out - the product should be weighed. If, for example, a towel measuring 70x140 cm weighs about 500 g, then this is a good choice, because its density is 500 g/sq.m.

5. Softness. This indicator does not always indicate good quality terry. Since many manufacturers add viscose (synthetic) to cotton, which gives a feeling of softness, but worsens the level of moisture absorption. Therefore, to purchase a high-quality terry towel, you should, firstly, choose 100% cotton, and secondly, buy from a review-checked and trusted manufacturing company. You can also check for the presence of synthetics at home by pouring about 5 ml of water onto a glass horizontal surface and running a towel over it. If stains remain on the surface, then a certain amount of synthetics is present.

Have a pleasant and profitable shopping!

The world around us has changed significantly over the past decades - it has become much more colorful and brighter. Transformations also affected home textiles. Modern manufacturers supply such a variety of shapes, styles and colors of towels that you can walk around for hours and not see two perfectly similar models.

Passing by shop windows, we stop with admiring glances, looking at the colorful colors of the various assortment. Previously, in not so distant times, the quality of towels, of course, was decent, but the slightly faded colors and the same design did not cause much joy. Purchases were made as needed, and not under the influence of a spiritual impulse.

The right towel

There are main points that you need to pay attention to when buying a towel:

• compound.
• the structure of the fabric from which the towel is made.
• fabric density.
• pile height.
• softness and ability to absorb moisture.

In the store you can only rely on your own tactile sensations. Touch the towel with your hands, wrinkle it a little and even smell it, not paying attention to sidelong glances.

The production of terry products in modern times is so large and varied that by choosing only according to one label, you can buy a towel that will not give satisfaction and will be thrown away as unfit for use. The labeling only indicates the composition, size and manufacturer, but does not indicate the density. For example, you are holding a towel that says 100% cotton, “made in Russia.” But most often, neither the seller, nor even the buyer, even imagine which country’s cotton was used as a raw material in the production of the towel. Cotton suppliers can be Uzbekistan or Türkiye, Brazil, India, Pakistan or Egypt. Egypt supplies the highest quality raw materials and it is better to give preference to such cotton.

An interesting marking caught my eye:

• 100% cotton (M). This means the towel is made with the addition of artificial fibers.
• Symbolism (PC) – the towel definitely contains polyestercotton admixtures.

So, we looked visually, read the labels, now you can wrinkle it a little and rub the edge of the towel. Firstly, the paint should lie evenly - no streaks or color changes. There should be no greasy or waxy coating on your hands. The smell of the towel is also important. Absolutely, you will feel foreign impurities and the smell of chemicals.

Your goal is to buy a towel made from natural fabrics without additives, so all the signs listed above are not the best option.

There are different types of yarn:

• double or single.
• twisted or combed.

Bamboo

Towels with added bamboo fiber are considered a worthy purchase.

Advantages:

• Unique natural antibacterial properties.
• Amazing resistance to rotting and decomposition processes.
• The porous structure of bamboo fabric has excellent absorbent properties and breathability.
• The towels do not wrinkle or stick to the body, but take a long time to dry.

But only 100% composition of bamboo fiber, produced using special patented technologies, can destroy up to 70% of bacteria on the surface. Bamboo towels retain all their declared properties regardless of the number of washes.

The density of the towel is also important, because its service life depends on this indicator. Usually the density is not indicated on the label, so you need to rely on your own feelings.

A good towel will not be light. A high-quality towel measuring 70x140 should weigh about 500g.

The home textile market offers a huge selection of synthetic products - these are bright, soft and pleasant to the touch products. But, unfortunately, the more synthetics, the less the towel absorbs moisture. And if you are already planning to buy yourself several colorful synthetic towels, then choose one small in size, the composition corresponding to the selected products, and wipe a wet polished or glass surface with it at home. As a result, you will immediately understand whether it is worth buying such towels or looking for a different composition.

Mahra

Peculiarities:

• Terry towels with 5mm pile and density 500 g/sq.m. They last longer than their counterparts with longer piles.
• The long pile initially looks soft and quite thick, but during use it quickly falls off and loses its attractive appearance.
• Pile shorter than 5mm absorbs moisture less well, as it has a low density and over time the towel will become quite stiff.

Care:

• Terry clothes are washed at temperatures no higher than 60 degrees with a partial load of the machine to eliminate moments of active curling.
• Powder for colored laundry and operating the washing machine at low and medium speeds will give excellent results and will not harm the quality and appearance of the terry towel.
• Terry towels and synthetic towels or those with a high percentage of synthetic content do not need to be ironed; it is enough to hang them evenly to dry.
• We iron linen and cotton as usual with steaming.

Kitchen towels

When purchasing kitchen towels, you also need to approach it wisely.

Waffle towel

Most often in kitchen supply stores you can find towels made of waffle fabric. Traditionally used by housewives in the kitchen for dishes or hands, waffle fabric meets all the stated quality requirements.

Advantages:

• Firstly, compared to other towels, 100% cotton can instantly absorb several times more liquid.
• In addition, the waffle towel dries quickly enough, which is also important for the housewife.
• It washes well, is not afraid of any chemical influences and feels great in any washing mode and with any washing powders.
• Waffle towels can be boiled without fear of damaging the structure of the fabric.

Linen towels

Linen towels, due to their wear resistance and hygroscopicity, are most acceptable for many housewives. True, recently a lot of synthetic products of this kind have appeared, which are not inferior in quality characteristics and are less demanding in care.

Linen and cotton, if they are not colored fabrics, can easily withstand any washing modes, any detergents, and even do not mind boiling. Colored products require more gentle products and treatment.

Microfiber towel

Microfiber kitchen towels are an amazing modern invention, gifted to housewives to save their time and labor.

Advantages:

• The amazing absorption rate leaves no doubt about the quality, and if you are not a fan of all things natural, then these kitchen towels will be to your liking.
• In addition to its ability to collect moisture many times more than traditional materials for kitchen towels, microfiber is able to absorb dirt and bacteria from the surface.

Minuses:

• It is quite reasonable that the life of these towels is not long at all. After several uses, they lose their appearance, and for purely aesthetic reasons they need to be replaced with new ones.

Ideally, every housewife should have several types of kitchen towels for certain occasions. More expensive, high-quality linen products will be an excellent addition to the holiday table. Linen towels perform several functions at once: festive decor and an individual hygiene product for guests.

Everyone understands that all sorts of incidents and nuances cannot be ruled out, and such a towel with good absorbency will always come to the rescue. Linen washes and boils well. A little steam ironing gives them their original chic and shine. Therefore, any stains and dirt can be easily and quickly removed after use.

The purpose of synthetic towels is definitely limited by the size of the kitchen or bathroom. Cleaning will become much easier and more fun when you remove a layer of dust or dirt with one swipe, leaving absolutely no streaks on glass or other smooth or polished surfaces.

For your hands and dishes, it's best to have separate waffle towels, which cost much less than linen but are much more durable than synthetic microfiber towels. And drying your hands with a natural towel that exudes freshness and cleanliness is much more pleasant. Waffle towels are the ideal solution for daily use.

Terry textiles have firmly entered the everyday life of modern people. How nice it is to wrap yourself in a soft, fragrant towel after a shower! Unfortunately, a new product is not always durable and wear-resistant; after the first wash, the paint fades and the fabric becomes rougher. In order not to get lost in the variety of this type of textile, in the huge assortment presented on the market, and not to be disappointed in the purchase, you need to be able to choose the right terry towel. And the main selection criterion should be the density and naturalness of the material, the length and thickness of the pile, and the ability to absorb moisture.

Materials

Basically, terry towels are made from bamboo and.

Cotton

Products made from cotton fibers are soft, tender and have a high ability to absorb moisture. Organic cotton textiles are especially valued. When growing this raw material, no chemicals are used, so the products are environmentally friendly. The main suppliers of cotton textiles are Brazil, Egypt, Pakistan, Turkey, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan.

Sometimes manufacturers add synthetic fiber to cotton. Information about additives is indicated on the label:

• 100% cotton (M) - artificial fibers;
• 100% cotton (P) - .

Cotton towel brands: Arya, Hobby, Karven, TAC.

Bamboo

More recently, terry towels made of bamboo have appeared on sale. They have a delicate texture with a slight shine and look very elegant. In addition, such textiles have the antibacterial properties of bamboo.

Well-known manufacturers: Mariposa, Maxstyle.

Linen

Linen towels are highly durable and long lasting. Due to the dense structure of the fabric, a light massage effect is felt when in contact with the skin.

Main selection criteria

When purchasing a terry towel or other textiles made from this fabric, you need to pay attention to the following factors.

1. The fabric must be natural and environmentally friendly. Often, in order to reduce costs and increase the softness of the fabric, manufacturers resort to treating cotton fibers with chemicals. A product made of such material can cause allergies, and after washing it will lose not only its appearance, but also its ability to absorb water efficiently. That is why, when purchasing, you should carefully study the label and not trust little-known companies.
2. The length of the pile should be about 5 mm. Short loops lead to the fact that the product quickly gets wet, becomes rough, torn and becomes unpleasant to the touch. If the length of the loops is more than 8 mm, then the fluffy towel when you buy it loses its original appearance after washing.
3. The density of the material from which the textile is made is of no small importance. This value is measured in grams and indicates how many grams of cotton are contained in 1 m² of fabric. The higher the density of the material, the longer the product will last, and the optimal value is 450-550 g/m2. Unfortunately, the manufacturer does not indicate the density of the product on the label, and the seller is not always aware of this indicator of product quality. It will be possible to determine the number of grams only at home by weighing the purchased towel. For example, if a 70x140 towel weighs 490 g, then its density is 500 g/m2.
4. When purchasing, you should carefully check whether the work on sewing the product was done accurately. Properly processed edges and even stitches made of strong threads guarantee the quality of the product.
5. Usually, when looking at textiles on the counter, the first thing a picky buyer does is feel the fabric. If the material is so soft and fluffy that you don’t want to move your hand away, then it’s worth buying a towel. Pleasant tactile sensations are an indicator of the quality of the product.
6. The surface of the material should be densely and evenly covered with loops. Bald spots in terry cover not only spoil the appearance of the product, but also negatively affect its properties.

As can be seen from the above, it will not be possible to check the true characteristics of the product at the store counter. In this situation, there are two options: trust only well-known manufacturers or make a trial purchase and check the quality of the product at home.

Terry towel color

Typically, a terry towel is not only a textile for wiping the body or dishes, but also an integral part of the bathroom design. With the help of this textile, a particular mood is created, so choosing the right color is a very important task. It is colored towels that will add accents to a neutral interior and give the room a certain character.

A delicate feminine interior can be easily created with towels and rugs in pastel shades. Light pink, apricot, milky, blue and turquoise colors will be very useful. If the bathroom is decorated in dark colors, textiles in warm colors will make it less gloomy.

For men, textiles in dark shades, such as dark brown, gray-blue or burgundy, are more appropriate. No less relevant are colorful products with bright patterns.

White towels go with almost any design, while green and yellow items look great in a family bathroom used by both adults and children.

Caring for terry fabrics

Any terry towel, regardless of its purpose, will remain soft and pleasant to the touch for a long time if you follow simple care rules.

• Terry towels can be washed in a machine or by hand at temperatures from 30°C to 60°C using regular detergents.
• You should not use conditioner when washing, since the silicone film formed on the surface of the material reduces its hygroscopicity.
• Terry products do not need to be ironed; just smooth out the folds on a damp cloth with your hand.
• If elongated loops appear on the surface of the towel, they can be cut off with scissors.

The correct choice of towel in terms of size, density and composition will ensure long-term and pleasant use of the terry product.

A towel is an item that we come across every day. Therefore, over time, we have to buy new ones in stores to replace torn, frayed and faded towels. If earlier the choice was very small, now the range of these products is large. Let's try to figure out which hand and face towels absorb moisture well, are pleasant to the touch and durable.

The main quality of a towel is moisture absorption. From our own experience, we know that not every fabric can cope with this task. In addition, even if the fabric is the same, but the quality is different, the towels will absorb moisture differently. Therefore, before purchasing, read the information on the tag. It is believed that towels made from cotton grown in Pakistan or Egypt absorb moisture best. The type of yarn also affects absorbency. By the way, it can be not only double or single, but also combed or twisted. Combed yarn copes best with moisture. But synthetic towels, although beautiful, pleasant to the touch and soft, absorb water very poorly, although they are cheaper than natural ones. You can easily tell if a towel is synthetic. Use this towel to wipe a wet glass or polished surface. If water stains remain, it means there are synthetic threads in it (photo 1).

Let's take a closer look at the types of towels. Waffle towels are popular. You can find these towels in different sizes and colors on sale. There are even waffle towels specially made for visiting a sauna or steam bath. They contain no artificial threads, only cotton. They effectively cleanse the skin. They absorb moisture very well, but for some reason they are most often used by us in the kitchen (photo 2).

Terry towels are considered the most common. This is not surprising, because they absorb water well and are durable. You can always buy terry towels in stores, supermarkets or online. Before purchasing, look at the composition of the towel; as mentioned above, the best towels are made from 100% cotton. Further, the density of the product is not always indicated on the label. But you can determine it yourself by weight. For example, a towel measuring seventy centimeters wide and one hundred and forty centimeters long should weigh at least 500 grams. The quality of a terry towel is also affected by the length of the pile. High-quality towels have a pile length of at least five millimeters. There are, of course, lovers of fluffy towels. But, most often, in such towels the terry quickly falls off and the 3-5 centimeter pile becomes hard after a while and does not cope well with water (photo 3).

Velor towels have low moisture absorption. These towels are woven from five threads. The fifth thread is the fibers, and the remaining four form the warp. The fabric is similar to corduroy, pleasant to the touch (photo 4).

For the beach, linen towels are most often used, which, moreover, perfectly absorb moisture. They dry quickly, have antibacterial properties and do not cause any irritation to the skin. They are made from semi-linen or flax with impurities (photo 5).

Bamboo towels are also popular. They absorb four times more moisture than linen. They have unique antibacterial properties. Made from natural material (photo 6).

There are also jacquard towels (bamboo and cotton). They absorb moisture moderately, there is almost no lint. They can be plain or sculptural, and with different patterns. The process of their manufacture is labor-intensive, since they are made on special looms (photo 7).