Everything you need to know about bath towels

Everything you need to know about bath towels

Bath towels are hard working members of your household. We expect them to keep us clean, dry us off and add to the look of our bathroom. However, towels are often underappreciated, with many people putting little thought into which type of towel they buy. But with a little knowledge, your towels will look, last and perform better in their many roles.

Accademia Firenze's Geneve 100% pure long-staple Egyptian cotton towel set

All towels have a fabric weight, measured with a GSM (grams per square meter) number. This refers to the density of the fabric used to make that particular towel. Lower GSM towels are lighter and thinner, making them a good choice for a gym bag or trips to the beach. You'll likely want to save your heavier, thicker, higher GSM towels for use in the master or guest bathroom.

Most towels are made of cotton, but the look and feel of towels largely depends on what type of cotton is used. Towels designed and priced for everyday use are made of standard cotton, while Egyptian cotton is considered the crème de la crème of towel fabrics. These more expensive towels have longer, more-fibrous threads, meaning that each towel will have more moisture-sucking loops per inch. The ultra-soft, super-fluffy bath towels found in high-end spas and hotels are typically Egyptian cotton.

Accademia Firenze's  Highgate pure linen & Egyptian cotton blend towel set

However, some manufacturers sell towels advertised as "made with" Egyptian  cotton, when in fact the fabric may have other materials in its makeup. Sometimes, 'luxury' bath towels actually have synthetics in them, to give a shinier look, and this restricts absorbency. So when shopping for better towels, be sure to check the labels and look for fabric of 100 percent Egyptian cotton, as is the case with all of Amancara's towel collection.

Because towels offer a relatively painless and inexpensive way to complement or change the look of your bathroom, decorators say they're a great way to have fun with design. Rather than trying to precisely match your towels to your wallpaper or paint, use them instead to draw out or accentuate the look you want. An abundance of bright, colourful towels placed around the room provides stylish punch.

Accademia Firenze's Forte dei Marmi 100% pure long-staple Egyptian cotton beach towel

For a more classic look, nothing says total luxury like a bathroom fully stocked with freshly laundered, fluffy white towels. It's a timelessly posh look that never goes out of style. Amancara's bespoke service can even monogram your white towels for instant elegance.

Bath towels of all types will look fresher and last longer if they are cared for properly. Dark and brightly coloured towels should be washed separately. For your special, more expensive towels, using a gentle-care detergent will keep them at their fluffy best for longer.

Amancara  - Luxury Italian Cashmere, Bedding & Bath Linen