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How to Compare Towels

Towels have a several factors you need to understand so you can compare towels properly. Let's touch on each just a bit. 

Towel Pile Comparison

Pile

In textiles, pile is the raised surface or nap of a fabric, which is made of upright loops or strands of yarn. Examples of pile textiles are carpets, corduroy, velvet, plush, and Turkish towels. The word is derived from Latin pilus for "hair". You learn something new every day. A towel with a heavier weight will usually have a heavier pile.

Towels

Weight

Often misinterpreted, the weight in pounds refers to the weight per dozen towels, not the weight per towel. It's a weird towel standard that has been around forever. In our description of each towel you'll see it as "Weight: About 5 lbs per dozen."

Towels

Size

It's easy to understand the size but pay attention to the size in relation to the weight. A 24x48 5lb per dozen towel will feel more plush than a 24x50 5lb per dozen towel. If the weight is the same, the smaller towel will feel more plush.

Towels

Yarn Construction

The majority of commercial towels are make with Open End Yarn (the most common) or Ring Spun Yarn.

Open End Yarn : Common in institutional towels, open end yarn has a harsher feel, lower strength and uneven twist. It is the most economical and therefore common in commercial towels where price is often the driving factor in purchasing.
Ring Spun Yarn : Spun on spindles which gives it a high tensile strength. The yarn is twisted uniformly which gives the pile an even, optically whiter look and a softer feel. It is more expensive due to the additional processing.

Towels

Material

Our towels are typically one of two types of material.

100% Cotton : Soft and absorbent but less durable than a cotton/polyester blend. Guests may perceive 100% Cotton towels to have a higher quality than a blended towel.
Cotton/Poly Blend : Blended towels will have a cotton/polyester core or base with a 100% cotton pile. There is no significant loss of softness and the towel will be more durable when compared to 100% cotton. Another benefit is that blended towels dry faster.