Good towels – how to recognise quality
Quality differences in towels
When buying towels, we often focus on colour first and only consider the material and feel afterwards. Yet towels in particular should be of high quality, as they come into close contact with the skin every day and are expected to last for a long time.
Towels are available in a wide range of price categories, with significant differences in both workmanship and the materials used. In this article, we explain how to recognise good-quality towels.
Materials used in high-quality towels
High-quality towels are characterised by a combination of carefully selected materials and excellent craftsmanship. The material you choose should depend on the properties you expect from your towel.
These materials are commonly used:
• Cotton: absorbent, durable, skin-friendly, with a rather soft feel
• Linen: absorbent, firmer feel, provides a gentle massaging effect
• Viscose (made from bamboo pulp): soft, breathable, quick-drying, with a slight sheen
• Synthetic fibres: quick-drying, very lightweight, compact to fold
Blended materials are also common, combining the advantages of different fibres. Typical combinations include cotton/linen and cotton/viscose.
Terry towelling or terry?
The weaving technique is also crucial: the fluffy towels we use to dry ourselves every morning are made from terry towelling. Colloquially, this is often simply referred to as “terry”, although there is a subtle distinction. In terry towelling, loops are woven on both sides of the fabric, whereas in terry fabric an effect yarn is used that creates loops on only one side.
There are also towels without loops, such as those made from piqué, as well as smooth and compact microfibre towels, which are particularly quick-drying.
Workmanship: what to look out for
When choosing a towel, you should always check the quality of the workmanship. Are there any loose threads? Does the towel shed lint? Are the seams neatly finished? If everything looks clean and well made, the towel is a good choice. By the way, towels with a wider hem are often more durable and robust than those with a very narrow hem, which can tear or fray more easily.
Weight matters too
Another indicator of quality is the weight of the towel, which is measured in grams per square metre (gsm). The higher the value, the thicker and fluffier the towel. For example, our SUPERWUSCHEL collection has a weight of 550 gsm and is particularly soft.
However, a lower weight does not necessarily mean lower quality. For some towels – such as bath towels or hammam towels designed for travel – a lighter, more compact weight can actually be advantageous. What matters is choosing the right combination of properties for your intended use.
Good towel brands: where to find quality towels
High-quality terry products such as towels, bath mats and bathrobes are available in the MÖVE online shop. We still manufacture in Germany today and, alongside investing in innovative technologies and premium materials, place great importance on energy-efficient and environmentally friendly production. This also includes certification according to OEKO-TEX Standard 100, product class 1. This means that all our terry products are suitable for allergy sufferers, babies and young children.