For baths, face and hands. How to choose a towel and how many should there be?

Last time we discussed bathrobes in detail. In the end, a pressing and largely rhetorical question arose: what is more practical - a robe or a good old sheet? Without going to extremes, you can find an excellent intermediate, and in many ways, more universal option - bath towels. Actually, our story today is about them.

Types of towels by purpose

1. A bath towel is used on the body after a shower, bath or sauna. Such products should absorb moisture well and keep you warm. Materials should be soft and delicate. Terry, cotton and bamboo products of large sizes would be a suitable option;

2. Kitchen products collect large amounts of dirt, grease and dangerous bacteria. Therefore, you need to choose a durable and reliable material that can easily withstand repeated washing, boiling and regular use. The fabric must be resistant to dirt and germs and absorb well. For the kitchen, waffle and linen models are chosen;

3. A washcloth or face towel should be soft and comfortable to wash, because it comes into contact with delicate skin. In this case, choose medium or compact sized canvases made of cotton or bamboo;

4. Choose items for your feet and hands that are compact in size with good absorbent properties and are resistant to stains. Be sure to use a separate guest hand towel for the bathroom;

5. Baby towels are used for newborns and small children. They are distinguished by soft and delicate fabric with double-sided terry weaving, bright patterns, high absorbency and a comfortable effect on the skin. Some models are made with a hood;

6. The beach towel should be large enough to comfortably sunbathe on it. In addition, it should be pleasant to the body and absorb moisture well in order to dry off after bathing;

7. Massage products are also chosen large. A specially calculated proportion of linen and cotton is designed to relax, soothe and provide a comfortable massage;

8. Wedding towels or towels are used as gifts for newlyweds. Such products are made from linen, silk or satin and decorated with embroidery, ribbons, beads or ornaments. Towels are a symbol of a prosperous family life and are used in wedding ceremonies.

Necessary set for the bath

The most important question that faces a person going to the sauna is: what should he take with him? One of the most important attributes is a towel. Many, especially men, limit themselves to just one thing - and in vain. In order for your bath procedures to be as comfortable as possible, you need to stock up on several of these accessories in different sizes:

• for body;
• for face and/or hair;
• sheet

First of all, you need to take a large terry towel in which you can wrap your body. This can be a standard large bathtub or a special one with Velcro around the edge for better fastening around the torso. It is preferable that the material of this body accessory be linen or bamboo, as they absorb moisture best. If you sweat profusely, such products will serve you well.

It is also advisable to take a separate face towel with you, since you should not wipe your sensitive skin with material that absorbs sweat in the steam room. This recommendation is especially important for women who like to combine bath procedures with the application of nourishing masks. Additional manipulations with the face and neck require a special terry product. Face towels differ from other varieties in texture: they must be especially soft so as not to damage the steamed delicate skin. Women can also take a small bath towel for their hair with them: it will be useful so that the strands do not interfere in the bath and while applying masks to the forehead, nose and cheeks.

If you decide to pamper your body and face with scrubs, masks and creams, you may also need a bath cloth for your hands. As a rule, these are small square or rectangular cuts of a rather hard material - waffle towels. But, if you don’t want to carry extra cloth with you, then you can get by with a pack of sanitary wet wipes, which will help wipe your hands after using creams and won’t take up much extra space in your bag.

If desired and possible, you should take a large terry sheet with you to a public bathhouse. You can use it to cover the surface of the beds in the steam room, which will provide you with a hygienic rest in the steam room. Still, such establishments are visited by thousands of strangers, and therefore such precautions and concern for your health will definitely not be superfluous.

If you decide to visit the sauna with the whole family, then do not forget to bring a separate accessory for your child. The difference between children's bath towels is that they are much softer than other varieties. In terms of the gentleness of their impact and softness of structure, they can only be compared with face towels. By the way, a similar recommendation applies to older people - their skin also requires delicate care with a product with softer bristles.

Of course, not every person can afford to carry all the required number of towels to the bathhouse, but you need to try. As a last resort, do not forget at least two basic ones - for the body and a towel-sheet. And use sanitary napkins to wipe your face and hands.

Towel sizes

We sew ourselves

It’s also quite easy to sew a Velcro towel step by step. To do this, you will need the right size material, a piece of Velcro for the fabric and an elastic band. Choose a wide elastic band and measure the correct length so that it does not cut into the body. To do this, simply wrap the elastic around your hips, waist or upper chest (depending on how you plan to wear the product) and pull it slightly - this will be the required size. Cut out the desired piece of fabric. Tuck the upper part at the height of the elastic so that it fits freely into the hem, and stitch the fabric. Attach a safety pin to one end of the elastic and thread the elastic inside the fold. Sew elastic to the fabric at both ends to secure it. Also fold and stitch the bottom edge of the fabric. If you don’t want to bother with hems, you can simply overlock the top and bottom and stitch the elastic on the inside of the bath sheet. Wrap it around the body and mark the place where the two parts of the material come into contact - attach Velcro at these points.

To create a bath turban, you will have to put in more effort, since you need to create a special pattern based on the parameters of your head and the desired length. Even 2 small terry towels will do for sewing. You need to cut out two identical parts, stitch along the arched edge and sew a button with a loop to the ends.

Types of towel materials

To choose a high-quality and good towel, it is important to pay careful attention to the material from which it is made. Terry models are popular. They are large, cozy and comfortable. Such products are suitable for baths and showers, baths or saunas.

Terry fabrics are made from cotton, linen and bamboo. Cotton is the best choice for making towels. This is an environmentally friendly natural material that absorbs moisture well, is hypoallergenic and lasts a long time. This is a high quality soft fabric.

Today, bamboo products or combinations of bamboo and cotton have become popular. The material has a porous structure, due to this it quickly absorbs moisture and allows air to pass through. It is also hypoallergenic, gentle and pleasant to the touch. Bamboo material has an attractive appearance; it can be used not only in baths, showers and saunas, but also on the beach.

Natural bamboo fiber has natural antibacterial properties and kills up to 70% of surface bacteria. It is resistant to mold. Therefore, this fabric remains hygienic and clean longer. It does not wrinkle or stick to the body, but it takes a long time to dry. Due to the listed properties, bamboo will be a suitable solution for making pillows and blankets.

In addition, manufacturers offer linen towels. Linen is distinguished by strength and durability, wear resistance and high absorbency. It has a massage and lifting effect. And when you add a little silk to the composition, it will make the towel shiny and smooth. Linen products are used for the bath, the kitchen, and for holiday decor.

White flax is resistant to high temperatures and boiling. The material can be washed at any temperature and with any means. Colored fabrics are washed using a more gentle cycle and with mild cleaning or detergent compounds. How to bleach linen, see here.

Fiber weave type

Not only the composition of the threads determines the properties, characteristics and appearance of the fabric, but also the method of weaving them. Terry fabric is woven from four threads, leaving elongated loops on one or both sides of the fabric, forming a characteristic pile that gives the towel softness and volume. Terry towels have gained popularity among different categories of buyers due to a combination of such qualities as pleasant and comfortable use, aesthetic appearance, hygroscopicity, and resistance to washing.

Velor towels are woven in a similar way, with four threads, but the remaining loops are cut low, creating a beautiful velvety surface. This weaving reduces the rate of moisture absorption compared to terry products.

The structure of waffle fabric gets its name due to the fact that its weaving forms a checkered pattern similar to a waffle, which gives the fabric volume and increases the speed of moisture absorption from hands, dishes, window glass, etc.

The production of jacquard towels requires more complex equipment to weave many threads into dense, reversible patterns, smooth or terry.

Kitchen towels

Kitchen waffle towels are also made from cotton. Cotton waffle products absorb liquid well and dry quickly. White cotton, like linen, is easily washed in any washing mode and with any detergent.

What is especially important for kitchen towels is that waffle fabric can be boiled and bleached without damaging the structure of the material. Colored models require more careful care. By the way, Egypt and Pakistan are considered the best cotton producers.

Another solution for the kitchen is microfiber towels. They absorb moisture well and quickly, collecting dirt and harmful bacteria. A synthetic product does not last long, but is cheap. It is suitable for wiping dishes and dust from various surfaces. However, it is better not to use microfiber on your hands, face or wash.

Absorbent properties

High-quality terry fabric should absorb water well. This property depends on the composition of the material, as well as on the type of thread from which it is made. Natural fabric, especially cotton, has the best absorbent properties. Pay attention to the label: it is believed that the best cotton towels are sewn in factories in Pakistan, Uzbekistan, Turkey and Egypt.

As for the threads from which terry fabric is made, they come in three types:

• double - made of two twisted threads;
• combed;
• twisted (one tightly twisted thread).

Give preference to a towel made of combed terry cloth. This will ensure maximum water absorption.

Ten tips for choosing a towel

1. To choose a high-quality and comfortable towel, pay attention to the type and structure of the fabric, the density of the fabric and the height of the pile, the degree of softness and moisture absorption;

2. Before buying, touch the material, remember and even smell it. There should be no waxy or greasy residue on your hands. There should be no creases or dents left on the material, and the smell should not be pungent, chemical or contain foreign impurities;

3. The product must be uniformly and reliably painted, without streaks or color changes. Rub a white, damp cloth over the colored towel. If the latter is painted, the painting was done poorly, and the product will fade after five to ten washes. What to do if things are faded, read the article “How to wash a faded item at home”;

4. Check the finishing of the edges of the product. They should be with evenly cut threads of the same type. Make sure that the threads are not pulled out of the fabric. Choose a towel with seamed edges; the stitches should be frequent and the stitching should be even and strong;

5. A quality and durable towel will not be lightweight. So, products 70x140 weigh about 0.5 kg. The density of a reliable terry bath towel is 400-600 g/m2. For thin products, 150-300 g/m2 is enough;

6. For the kitchen and for washing hands, choose waffle cotton towels. They are durable and practical, yet pleasant to the touch;

7. For baths and saunas, baths and showers, choose terry towels. Use large terry cloths for beach holidays and massage procedures, as well as as a sheet or bedspread;

8. When purchasing terry products, choose textiles made from 100% cotton. If the fabric contains more than 5% synthetics, the fabric will become stiff and uncomfortable after three or four washes;

9. Linen towels are more expensive than cotton ones. They have a presentable appearance, so they are perfect for decorating a festive table;

10. Synthetic towels are suitable for washing dishes, cleaning the kitchen or bathroom. This material quickly removes dust and dirt without leaving streaks.

Care

New terry towels should be washed before their first use.

Then you need to wash towels at least once a week. The optimal temperature for washing is 40 °C in delicate wash mode (spin up to 800 rpm). Do not wash towels with bleach as this may cause lint to fall out. You cannot wash towels with items that have zippers or hooks on them. It is not recommended to wash white and colored terry towels together.

It is better to iron towels with a low-heat iron using steam. But in general, it is not necessary to iron terry towels - it is enough to dry them naturally.

Usually, towels are thrown away as they wear out, due to fashion trends, changes in bathroom decor, and so on. On average, with proper care, towels last 2-3 years.

How to choose a terry towel

To choose the right terry towel, pay attention to the length of the pile and the density of the material. It varies between 300-800 grams per square meter.

Do not choose models with too long pile. They look soft and thick, but during use they fall off and lose their aesthetics in a short time.

A suitable option would be terry towels with a pile of 5-6 mm and a density of 500 grams per square meter. Villi shorter than 5 mm have a lower density, so they absorb moisture less well and, as a result, become stiff. In high-quality models, the fibers should not be easily pulled out.

In addition, oversized terry towels can be used as sheets and bedding. This fabric is suitable for everyday use in the cold season. It is easy to wash and does not wrinkle, warms well and retains heat. This is a comfortable and practical bed linen, soft and pleasant to the touch. And the terry sheet holds firmly and securely on the mattress, does not bunch up and does not slip.

In order for towels to last a long time, it is important to ensure proper care of the products. After purchase, carefully read the label and follow the recommendations. White linen, cotton and waffle products are washed at a temperature of 60-90 degrees. Fabrics can be safely boiled and ironed. It is recommended to wash colored items on a delicate cycle at temperatures up to 40 degrees.

Terry towels are washed at temperatures up to 60 degrees and with the machine not fully loaded. It is also important to dry and store items properly to keep them fresh, hygienic and attractive. Due to constant humidity, they lose their shape, color and may even become moldy. How to properly dry, fold and store towels, see the link.

At the time of buying

When choosing towels in a store, do not hesitate to touch, feel, smell, unwrap and apply them to yourself. Carefully inspect the product - it should be evenly colored on both sides.

Article on the topic

How to choose a quality blanket If you want to buy a cotton towel, then pay attention to what kind of cotton is used: from Uzbekistan, Turkey, India, Pakistan, Brazil or Egypt. It is better to give preference to the last two countries.

Special notes:

100% cotton (M) - addition of artificial fibers;

(PC) - added polyestercotton;

SPF - soy fiber (has anti-inflammatory and antibacterial effects).