Ever wonder what makes for a good towel? Cotton Incorporated can tell us. They're experts on the manufacture and care of cotton towels. The Tide Fabric Care Network asked them to share their expertise so we could all be in on it!

Facts from cotton, incorporated

Absorbency: It's all in the loops
It's the loops in a towel that do the drying, so look for thick loops that are packed so closely you can barely see the fabric base. High quality towels can last for more than ten years.

Longevity: It's all in the weave
The more tightly woven the fabric base, the longer a towel will last. Separate a few loops and do a close inspection. All towel edges should be securely stitched and tightly woven.

Best Choice: 100% cotton towels
Cotton is hydrophilic, which means it has a strong affinity for water. Synthetic fibers, on the other hand, lack this natural attraction to water. Cotton efficiently absorbs and removes the water from your skin.

Since cotton plays such an integral role in the effectiveness of towels, make sure you are purchasing towels made of cotton and not a look-alike product. Look for the Seal of Cotton trademark, which identifies products made of 100% cotton.

Style choices: unlimited possibilities

With the wide variety of towels on the market, it can be challenging to determine which type is best for you. To help in your decision-making process, use the following definitions of each type of cotton towel available in stores:

Terry — Cotton terry towels are woven on a loom. Terry towels utilize an additional yarn to form loops which cover both sides of the towel. These loops are normally referred to as "pile" or "loop surfaces."

Velour — Velour or sheared towels are produced in the same fashion that terry is produced with an additional process that cuts the terry loops on one side. The aesthetics of the velour side provide a decorative look. The terry side should face the skin for optimum drying.

Printed — Colorful designs are printed on the surface of either terry or velour towels. Designs are normally printed on one side.

Jacquard — Either terry or velour, these are patterned towels. The design is woven right into the towel and is constructed on a special type of loom.

Embellished — To provide more fashion to towels, some manufacturers add embroidery or lace. This variety helps add a decorative look to a bathroom.

Additional information from Tide - caring for cotton towels

It's easy, but here are some things to keep in mind when laundering your towels:
    

• Towels should be washed frequently.
• Always follow the manufacturer's instructions on the label.
• Wash colors separately from whites and do not use bleach.
• Use Liquid Tide with Bleach Alternative to help keep whites from dulling and help prevent colors from fading.
• For heavily soiled towels, wash separately.
• Towels with delicate embellishments may need the care of Ivory Snow^®.
• Use a Bounce® sheet in the dryer to add additional freshness and softness.
• Don't iron towels — it may reduce their absorbency.

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Wrapping up - a primer on bath towels

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