How to Shop for … Bath Towels
Turn your bathroom into a spa with these five tips for towel shopping.
Bath towels are one of those household items you may not think that much about, but the moment you use a bad one, you know it. No one likes a scratchy towel or one that sheds or doesn’t leave you feeling warm and dry. Bath towels are an item you use so often, which is why they’re worth spending a bit more on to make the experience more enjoyable.
Have a peek at the towels hanging in your bathroom right now. If they’re looking a little sad, here are five tips for your next trip to the linen aisle:
1. Think about texture.
Cotton is the most common fabric for towels, with Egyptian or Turkish cotton being the softest and most absorbent varieties. You can also find durable bamboo or microfiber options. When choosing what your towels are made of, consider the moisture level of your bathroom, or wherever you hang your towels when they’re not in use. I chose antibacterial towels to make sure they stay as clean as possible in between washes if they don’t dry ask quickly as I’d like.
2. Look for a variety of sizes.
When it comes to picking which size towels to have on hand, I have one rule: Don’t use the same one for your derriere as your face. That’s why I always have bath sheets, hand towels and washcloths in the house. Of those three sizes, I tend to have more hand towels and washcloths available both for guests and to rotate out more often. Not sure how many to buy? Stick to the doubling rule: If I have four bath sheets, I make sure to have eight hand towels and 16 washcloths.
3. Select your shade carefully.
Everyone loves a crisp, white towel. They just feel fresh and clean and look the neatest when on display in a bathroom. They may make you feel like you’re at a spa or staying in a hotel, but remember they also require the most maintenance to keep their color pristine (think hot water and bleach). A pattern or color can add to your bathroom decor when hanging or folded and will hide stains. If your bathroom is all white or neutral, towels are a less risky way to experiment with a pop of color than paint or wallpaper.
4. Make sure they’re durable.
Ideally, towels should be washed every three uses. I tend to wash my towels once a week unless I’m using them more than once a day. In any case, that’s a lot of trips to the washing machine. Make sure you choose a fabric that will hold up, especially when washed at a higher temperature. Check the seams when shopping to make sure everything is intact and you don’t have any loose threads to begin with. Buy a few great sets of towels and you will have them for years to come.
5. Buy a guest set (or two).
Everyone has their everyday towels. They get softer with each wash and, eventually, start to show their age. Having at least one extra set for guests and another backup to put out when hosting is a must. And for guest towels, I usually recommend picking a colored option, because accidents do happen.
Want more tips? Learn how to shop for demi-fine jewelry here.
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