Egyptian Cotton and Other Types of Cotton. Compared to “regular” cotton, including pima, Turkish cotton fabric feels softer and more plush due to its longer fibers. Egyptian cotton has the longest fibers, which creates a more plush fabric than Turkish cotton.
In the end, the difference between Turkish and Egyptian cotton towels can be boiled down to absorbency and speed of drying. While both cottons offer long, absorbent fibers, Egyptian cotton tends to be more absorbent and slower to dry; while Turkish cottons are slightly less absorbent and are quick to dry.
High-quality Turkish and Egyptian cotton produce the best, softest, and most absorbent towels. Whether you need them for yourself or your guest bathroom, cotton bath towels are multitaskers and ideal for everyday use.
The softest materials for towels are cotton, rayon or Pima and any quality towel should be made from any of these.
Turkish cotton is a premium cotton that's known for its long fibers, which make it stronger and more durable than other types of cotton. The longer fibers also make it softer and more absorbent, which is why Turkish towels are prized for their luxurious feel and high performance.
Turkish cotton provides the perfect balance between absorbency and softness which makes it the best cotton to be used in towels. Turkish cotton, when used in towels, provides maximum absorbency and efficient drying.
If you want a super soft, ultra-absorbent towel, look for 100% cotton with dense, plush loops of yarn on the surface. If you want one that's quick-drying and more durable, consider a cotton-poly blend or a lighter fabric with a low pile (short loops).
High-end hotels prefer to use Egyptian cotton, which is softer, fluffier, and cozier than regular cotton. Such that, even Mizu Towels use this fabric to make their luxury towels. Although it is lighter than Egyptian cotton, some hotels also use Turkish cotton in their towels.
Egyptian cotton towels will typically feel soft during and after every use. They may crisp up if left static next to heat but they will soon soften when used.
Egyptian Cotton Towels Are Ultra-Soft
Compared to normal towels, these are much better and will actually feel more luxurious over time. This softness makes them ideal for anyone with sensitive skin too.
Great Egyptian cotton bedding is finer,more durable, softer and smoother than regular cotton, making it more luxurious.
Egyptian cotton (Gossypium barbadense)
Egyptian cotton has longer, silkier strands than most types of cotton. It's soft, fine and durable, which gives it a reputation for quality, but it's harder to produce in large quantities than upland cotton.
The fibre used to create the yarn will affect the towel's quality; yarns made with longer fibres, such as from Egyptian cotton or Supima create a towel that's softer, more absorbent and more durable.
Turkish towels are some of the most luxurious towels around today. Made from Turkish cotton, Turkish towels are one of the few types of towels that get even softer and fluffier the more you wash them.
It's the perfect material for towels for several reasons. First, Turkish cotton is comprised of very long fibers that mean fewer joins (or seams) are needed. That results in a smoother, softer feel. Second, unlike terry cloth which stiffens and becomes scratchy with washing, Turkish cotton becomes softer.
Pop the sheets into the washing machine with a cup full of baking powder in place of detergent (detergent can worsen the scratchiness caused by the chemical residue) and wash them on a wash cycle. Once that has been completed, run the rinse cycle on cold, and add a cup of white vinegar to the rinse water.
Towels are hard after washing because they build up soapy residue and are over-dried. Here's the good news: With a few simple tricks, you can restore your towels to their original softness and help ensure that they never go scratchy again. Use warm water.
Soften towels with vinegar
The expert-recommended way to soften towels that have become scratchy is to use vinegar. 'Throw a cup of white vinegar in your next wash,' advises textiles expert and CEO of New Sega Home, Brian Delp. The towels have likely become stiff and scratchy because of the use of fabric softener.
Most hotels use peroxide-based laundry detergents to keep their sheets and towels bright. While these compounds are extremely successful at preventing white linens from greying or yellowing, they do necessitate some amount of knowledge. When used incorrectly, they might cause damage to your linens.
“A stiff towel probably means the dryer was too stuffed,” Rapinchuk says. Dryer balls or clean tennis balls can help reduce static and break up clumps. It's also not a bad idea to open the door midway through the cycle and pull apart any tangled towels.
If you are purchasing a hand towel or guest towel then it is advisable for the GSM to be at least 400. For Bath Towels, a higher GSM of 500 will provide a soft and absorbent towel. Typically, the higher the GSM, the better performance you will have from the towel.
Towels that are heavier, more expensive or higher quality have a greater GSM than cheaper towels that tend to fall apart more easily. Typically, the more loops that are woven into a towel, the higher the GSM. The lightest towels are 300 to 400 GSM. A decent-quality, medium-weight towel runs 400 to 600 GSM.
Home Textiles. Bedding, carpets, and linens traditionally go on sale in January. These are often called "white sales." Tablecloths, towels, and household linens go on sale to clear out excess stock and make room for new designs for the upcoming year.