USEFUL TIPS
Four Bath Towel Sizes and Tips for Choosing the Right One
5 min read
5 min read
There are few things as relaxing as a nice, warm shower. It’s almost like time stops when you have a few minutes to just take care of yourself.
The steam helps open up your lungs, your body feels so fresh and clean, and your mind is at ease. When you slip out of the shower, it’s nice to know that you’re going to have a cozy towel waiting to wrap around your body as you dry off and get ready for the next step in your day.
But nothing jerks you back to reality quicker than a towel that is uncomfortable and too small. As you step into the frigid air of the rest of your house, you’re still dripping wet, and now you’re cold, too!
Let us help you solve that problem before you step into the shower so that you’re not faced with disappointment later. Welcome to our bath towel guide. We’ll explain the different towel sizes available and help you choose the right one for you.
Common Towel Sizes
In today’s world, it’s pretty much possible to find a towel in any size. But there are four main towel sizes, and we’re going to focus on those right now. The typical towel sizes you’ll find in most places are washcloths, hand towels, bath towels, and bath sheets. We’ll go over the different sizes and uses for each type below.
Washcloths
Washcloths are small towels, typically about 12” x 12” or 13” x 13”. They may be small, but their uses are many and mighty.
Here are a few ways you can use a washcloth:
- Washing your face.
- Scrubbing or exfoliating your body.
- Creating a cold or warm compress.
- Cleaning small messes.
It is recommended that you wash your washcloth after each use, so it’s good to have quite a few of these on hand.
Hand Towels
Hand towels are a medium-sized towel, typically between 18” x 28” and 20” x 30”. You’ll see these in the kitchen, bathroom, or anywhere else someone might need to dry their hands.
Because these are usually located in high traffic areas where many different hands use them, it’s important to get good quality hand towels that will help prevent the spread of germs and bacteria.
Bath Towels
Bath towels are your average towel that you’ll use after you take a bath or a shower. There are two main sizes of bath towels, 30” x 56” and 28” x 58”. The size bath towel you choose is largely dependent on personal preference. You may enjoy a longer towel, or a wider towel might be better for you.
Either way, you’ll want to make sure you have at least two bath towels on hand per person, especially for people with longer hair, as many enjoy using a bath towel to dry off their hair (and you shouldn’t use the same towel on your body that you do on your hair.)
Bath Sheets
Bath sheets are the largest option for bath towels. A towel is considered a bath sheet when it exceeds the size of the average bath towels we discussed above. These are typically oversized and good for people who like to wrap a towel around their entire body and cover more than a normal towel might. They’re also a good option if you’re taller than average.
Other Common Towels
There are a few other common towels that you might want to add to your collection.
These include:
- Hair towels, specifically for dying hair.
- Beach towels, less soft and typically longer and skinnier than bath towels.
- Fingertip towels, perfect for small spaces where a hand towel won’t fit.
How To Pick the Right Towel
With hundreds of different towel options out there, how can you pick the one that is right for you? Ultimately, it comes down to personal preference. But we’ve put together a list of things to consider to help you narrow it down.
Size
We just went over the different towel sizes out there, so this should be a fairly easy choice! If you’re looking for a towel to use when you’re getting out of the bath or shower, an average-sized bath towel should do the trick.
Style
Are you looking for a bath towel set that coordinates with your specific bathroom decor? That could help you narrow down your options quite a bit. But we’d recommend sticking with some classic colors so they can be used in different bathrooms throughout your home and won’t feel out of place anywhere. Our towels come in three great classic colors, including stone, white, and sky blue.
Cost
How affordable are the towels of your dreams? While this is an important item you’ll use fairly often (2/3 of Americans shower daily), you don’t have to feel like you need to spend an exorbitant amount of money on your towel set.
It is extremely possible to find an affordable towel set that will check all your boxes. More expensive doesn’t always mean better. Be sure to keep that in mind as you search. But don’t be afraid to splurge, either!
Durability
How long will this towel hold up? Invest in a quality towel that will be with you for multiple uses and potentially multiple years. Check out the material it’s made from, the way it is stitched around the edges, and the weight of the towel.
Towel weight is measured in grams-per-square-meter (gsm). This ranges from 400-900, with 400 gsm being lightweight and fast-drying to 900 gsm being premium luxury. Heavier doesn’t necessarily mean better, as each person should take their needs into account. A lighter towel that dries quicker might be a great choice for you.
Comfort
It’s always nice to do a touch test on the towel you’re going to choose, but you can’t always rely on this. Some companies will put a finish on their new towels that will wash off after the first time through the laundry.
Reviews
Take a few minutes to read online reviews of the towels you’re interested in before purchasing. Did you know that over 91% of people read online reviews, and 84% of people trust the reviews they read? While your friends and family might not have strong opinions on the towels they buy, other people across the internet will tell you exactly what they think.
How To Care for Your Towel
Taking good care of your towel will allow you to keep it around much longer. Be sure to wash your towel frequently to avoid bacteria growth. Most towels need to be washed approximately every three uses, but our towels fight 99.9% of bacteria growth and, in turn, require much less washing.
Here are a few tips for taking care of your towel:
- Try to avoid towel hooks. Allowing your towel to dry on a bar is much better and will help it dry faster.
- Wash your towels with only other towels. This will help avoid them getting caught on other materials and pilling.
- Avoid fabric softener. Honestly, you should skip the fabric softener for most of your laundry. It’s just not as worth it as it seems.
Follow these tips, and you’ll be able to keep your towels in good shape for much longer. Towels are typically affordable, but it’s always better to use them as long as possible instead of constantly having to replace them with new ones.
What To Do With Old Towels
Now that you know the different towel size options and have taken a look at our guide, you might be ready to get a new set. But, what should you do with the towels you’re going to get rid of? We have a few ideas.
Here are some great ways to give your old towels a new life:
- Repurpose your old towels. There are dozens of DIYs for old towels, including bath mats, slippers, bags, and more. Just because you don’t want to use them to dry off doesn’t mean they’re not useful for other reasons.
- Donate your old towels to local thrift stores, nonprofits, or animal shelters. Double-check to make sure they accept these donations, but most will. Send your towels that are still in good shape to a new home, and send gently used or stained towels to animal shelters where they can be used for pet beds or blankets.
- Recycle your old towels. Believe it or not, towels are recyclable. You just need to make sure they haven’t been contaminated by blood, oil, or other fluids.
The Perfect Pick
We hope this guide gives you the confidence to find the perfect bath towel for you! Remember to focus on getting the right size, style, and durability at a cost that is affordable for you. Taking a shower or a bath is a great part of a good self-care routine, and having a good towel to finish off with is an important step, so don’t just buy the first one you come across.
