7 Types of Towels You Should Know About

Towels: an everyday essential which are often overlooked. Many of us use them multiple times a day, but just how many types of towels are there, and what are they used for? Whether you’re stepping out of a relaxing soak or need to dry yourself off after a day at the beach, there’s a towel out there for every need. 

At Christy, we believe that even the simplest of daily rituals should be an experience of luxury. That’s why we offer a variety of bathroom towels that will transform your room into a haven of comfort. In this blog, we’ll explore the 7 types of towels that you should know about and how they can elevate your everyday. 

Let’s get into it… 

How many different types of towels are there? 

So, just how many different types of towels are there? As one of the hardest-working members of your household, towels are an essential bathroom item that delightfully dry off your skin and cocoon you comfortably after a relaxing bath or shower. However, towels aren’t necessarily just meant for your body after a calming soak. You can find many different types of towels depending on:

• Their material - Different materials have different levels of absorbency. Cotton has excellent water absorption, while microfibre towels are designed for quick drying. 

• Their thickness - Generally, thicker towels with a high GSM are more absorbent and they tend to feel softer and more luxurious. Thanks to an increased fibre density, thicker towels provide a more plush and comfortable texture against the skin. 

• Their purpose - The intended use of a towel influences its design and function. For example, bath sheets and bath towels are made to dry your body off after a shower, while face cloths are solely designed for cleansing and washing your face. 

• Their size - While it may be obvious, a larger towel provides more coverage and allows you to wrap yourself up more fully, while a smaller towel will focus on drying your hands, your face, and other small areas of your body. Towel size, therefore, is a crucial factor in ensuring that a towel fully fulfils its intended purpose. 

We all use towels every single day, yet many of us won’t think twice about the type of towel we buy until we realise that it is too small, rough, or not absorbent enough. There are so many types of towels out there, each one designed for specific purposes. We’ve made it easier for you to figure out which one is best suited for your task at hand by compiling a list of some of the most common types of towels.

Let’s explore them in more detail. 

1. Bath towels

Used in most bathrooms, bath towels are crafted to absorb moisture quickly while providing comfort and convenience. They are mainly used to cover a significant portion of the body, ideal for drying off after a relaxing shower or bath. The right bath towel should bring you a sense of comfort and warmth, and should more importantly, help you dry off quickly. 

Experience a truly convenient and family-friendly bathing routine with a quick drying towel from Christy. Crafted from gorgeous Egyptian, Turkish, and Supima cotton, all of our bath towels are ideal for hectic households. Our high-quality cotton varieties are known for their plush textures and offer excellent absorbency, drying you off in just a matter of seconds. 

2. Hand towels

Similar to bath towels, hand towels are also designed for daily use, efficiently drying your hands after each wash. Hand towels are not as large as bath towels, but they serve an equally important function. Their small size makes them easy to keep within reach of sinks, in your kitchen as well as your bathroom. When selecting a hand towel, ensure that you’re choosing one that has high absorbency and toughness, as you may use your hand towel slightly more frequently than any other type of towel. 

A good hand towel will help to remove residue and dirt from your hands, preventing skin diseases and flaws. Using a clean hand towel is also much more hygienic than air-drying, which can take longer and leave your hands more susceptible to picking up germs. Some people may also use hand towels as a decorative item and will fold them for a luxurious bathroom experience. 

3. Face cloths 

Also known as a washcloth, a face cloth is much smaller than a bath or hand towel, usually measuring at around 12 x 12 inches. They often feature a softer texture which makes them ideal for facial use, whether that’s for wiping your face, removing makeup, or exfoliating delicate skin. The slightly textured surface of a face cloth helps to remove dirt, oil, makeup, and other impurities more effectively than using a wipe or your hands. 

While a face cloth is effective for washing your face, we’d recommend washing it after every use. All of your towels should be replaced after around 2 years, especially if they are being used daily. Our luxury towels collection features an abundance of face cloths, available in an array of pastel colours and crafted from the finest cotton. 

4. Bath sheets 

A bath sheet is a larger and more luxurious counterpart to standard bath towels, giving extra coverage for those who prefer a more generous towel to wrap around themselves after a soak. If you enjoy the feeling of being enveloped in a fluffy towel, you’ll probably want to opt for a bath sheet. Crafted from high-quality materials such as Egyptian cotton and Turkish cotton, the most luxurious bath sheets can absorb more moisture, leading to quicker and more efficient drying.

Don’t forget about a bath mat and rug, another staple bathroom accessory. Made from cushiony materials and featuring textured designs, the right bath mat will help absorb wet feet and prevent trips and slips after showering and bathing. 

5. Guest towels 

A guest towel is slightly smaller than a hand towel and bigger than a face cloth, making it ideal for downstairs bathrooms used primarily for guests. It serves a specific purpose in your home setting, focusing on providing a refined and hygienic experience for guests and visitors. If you enjoy having friends and family round to stay often, then investing in luxury towel bundles is probably a good idea. This way, you can have a separate set of towels that you can whip out when you know that you’re having visitors. You could even purchase them in a different colour so that you can clearly differentiate between your own towels and your guests' towels. 

Providing your guests with separate guest towels ensures that they have clean, dedicated towels for their own use, promoting good hygiene and preventing the spread of germs. This is especially important in shared bathrooms, and it shows that you have gone to special efforts in order to accommodate your visitors. 

6. Beach towels 

Much larger than standard bath towels, beach towels have a diverse range of functions. They provide ample space for you to comfortably lie down on the sand or by the pool, dry you off quickly, and can even offer some protection from direct sunlight. Like any towel, though, its main purpose is to dry you off after a refreshing swim or dip in the pool. At a crowded beach, a beach towel is also the perfect accessory that helps you to mark your personal space, while also acting as a blanket and pillow for sunbathing.

At Christy, our beach towels are a little larger than usual, so that you have enough room to lounge around and relax. They also feature a smooth velour on one side and a sand-resistant terry weave on the other, to avoid excess sand from sticking to your towel when wet. Offering unparalleled softness and absorbency, our beach towels allow you to unwind in style and make the most of your holiday. 

7. Bath Robes 

While a bathrobe isn’t necessarily classed as a towel, they are made from towelling materials. The main purpose of a bathrobe is to absorb residual moisture from the skin after bathing and provide you with an extra layer of comfort. Some people may opt for a bathrobe instead of a bath towel, and they’re also a great garment for lounging around the house or walking to and from your bathroom after a shower. 

A personalised robe from Christy is available in a variety of styles and textures, allowing you to experience cosiness unlike anything else. Whether you need a moment of privacy or an extra drying companion, we thought that bath robes deserved a place on the list of types of towels. 

How to care for your towels 

With so many types of towels on offer, it can be hard to maintain their upkeep. However, proper towel care is essential for maintaining their softness, absorbency, and longevity. 

Here are some of our essential towel maintenance tips: 

• Wash regularly - While it might seem obvious, towels should be washed often to ensure they are clean. We recommend washing your towels separately from other clothing to avoid snags and lint transfer. Follow our 15 towel washing expert tips to get you started. 

• Use appropriate water temperature - Warm water is generally recommended for washing towels. Hot water can damage the towel fibres over time, while cold water might not be effective enough to remove bacteria. 

• Use mild detergent - We’d recommend avoiding harsh detergents and excessive amounts, as they can leave residue and actually stiffen your towels. Opting for mild and colour care detergents, without optical brighteners,  preserves the integrity of the fibres, ensuring that your towels remain soft, absorbent, and long-lasting. 

• Skip fabric softeners - Fabric softeners work by coating fabric fibres with waxy, oily residue. While this can make your clothes feel softer, it can create a barrier on your towels. Over time, this residue can build up, making your towels feel stiff and less fluffy rather than soft and plush. 

• Tumble dry on a low heat - If you tumble dry your towels, do it on a low heat. Having your tumble dryer too hot can damage the fibres and won’t make your towels feel as sumptuously soft as they should. 

Upgrade your towel selection with the help of Christy 

Hopefully, this blog has taught you all you need to know about the different types of towels on offer. From plush bath sheets to quick-drying beach towels, there’s an option that’ll suit every need, whether you’re on holiday or simply stepping out of the shower. 

At Christy, we’re dedicated to providing you with high-quality and luxury bedroom and bathroom essentials that elevate your everyday. And, we love hearing from our customers - for more information, please don’t hesitate to get in touch. A member of our team will be more than happy to get back to you. 

Types of towels FAQs 

What are towels made out of? 

Known for their exceptional high quality, Christy towels are crafted from various cotton types, including Egyptian cotton, Turkish cotton, and Supima cotton. Each of these fabrics is known for its softness, durability, and absorbency. It’s these premium cotton varieties that make our towels a firm staple in many households. 

What are the best towels that stay soft? 

When seeking towels that maintain their softness, certain materials and qualities stand out. Cotton fabrics such as Egyptian cotton, Supima cotton, and Turkish cotton offer superior softness, durability, and colour retention. Towels that have a high GSM will offer a more sumptuous feel than towels with a low GSM, but a lower GSM is great for lightweight, everyday use. 

Is Egyptian or Turkish cotton softer? 

While one fabric isn’t ‘softer’ than the other, both Egyptian and Turkish cotton offer different types of softness. Egyptian cotton is known for its long-staple fibres, which create a very dense, plush, and luxurious feel. Turkish cotton also has long-staple fibres, but they tend to be slightly thinner than Egyptian cotton. This results in towels that become softer with every wash, and a plush but light feel.