The last thing your athletes want after a tough workout or shower is to feel the scratchy material of a cheap towel. Here are a few tips to ensure that you purchase the right kind of towels for your locker rooms
Understand Fabric
One of the most important indicators of quality in bath towels is the type of material used. Most towels are made of cotton, but there are wide variations in quality. The difference in cottons is in the length of the fiber. Higher quality cotton has longer fibers, which contributes to the softness. Standard cotton terry is marketed as 100 percent cotton and has the least amount of softness. However, it can be durable and long lasting.
You will also find blended bath towels that include both cotton and polyester material. These are becoming more popular and they make the towel feel lighter in weight.
You will also want to look at the edges of a towel to determine its quality. A double turned edge provides extra durability, and would be less likely to fray than one with a woven edge.
Understand Density and Absorbency
Density refers to the number of fibers that are in a square foot and is also called the pile. For instance, you can expect Egyptian cotton towels to have a density of 250 grams. If you want to check the density on your towel, you can pinch a section of material between your fingers so you can see the loops of fibers. The less space you see between the loops, the higher quality towel.
The density determines how well the towels dry you off. Low quality towels are often wet before you have even finished using them, while the better quality choices may barely even feel wet. The best towels combine absorbency with lighter weight to dry quickly for the next use.
Understand Sizes
It is not uncommon for athletic departments to stock multiple sized towels. Bath towels are the most common towels used in spas, fitness and gym centers and locker rooms. They come in a range of different sizes, from as small as 20”x40” to the larger 27”x54” shower wraps. Also popular in locker rooms and gyms are sweat wipes or hand towels, designed for mopping off sweat after working out or drying your face or hands after washing. They are smaller in size, usually ranging from 15”x18” to 16”x30”. Washcloths are square towels used for washing, and are usually 12”x12” or 13”x13” square.
With these guides and tips, you will know what to look for when buying towels for your department and choose the right ones based on your real needs and budget.
The Towels Experts at A-1 Textiles. They can be reached at 1-800-351-1819, or linen@a1textiles.com.
