How to recognise high-quality terry products

Check the loops: one-sided or two-sided?

If you want terry towelling, you should make sure that is what you are getting. In fact, many people are unaware that the similarly named terry cloth is actually a different material: here, the loops are not woven into the towel, but are already present in the yarn itself. As a result, the loops are usually found on only one side of the material, which makes terry cloth easy to identify.

It is important to know that, because of the effect yarn used, terry cloth is considered less high-quality than genuine terry towelling. If individual loops come loose in terry towelling, they can be carefully cut off. If terry cloth starts to pull and the thread is cut, a hole can quickly appear in the towel.

By the way, the length of the loops does not necessarily say anything about whether the terry towelling is high-quality or not – it simply differs according to the various types of terry towelling.

Look for good workmanship

The same sign of good quality that applies to clothing also applies to terry products: good workmanship is important if you want to enjoy the product for a long time. Customers can check the seams here: are they straight, and are the spaces between the stitches small and even?

The smell test can also help to identify high-quality terry items, because new towels should smell fairly neutral and certainly not strongly of chemicals.

It is also worth checking the loops: anyone buying a new towel expects the loops to be intact. If there are already loose threads hanging off, there were probably problems during production. The towel should therefore not only look good but also feel good to the touch.

If the towel shrinks: no problem

What would be a problem with clothing – shrinking after washing – is not a quality defect in terry towelling. Because the loops are woven quite loosely and many towels are made from cotton, it is perfectly normal for new terry products to become slightly smaller after washing, as the material contracts.

Material: can it be a blend?

Are good towels always made from pure cotton? Not necessarily, as long as the workmanship and material blend are right.

Cotton has the advantage of being very absorbent, although it also dries more slowly than synthetic fibres. In the “MÖVE BAMBOO LUXE” line, cotton is combined with viscose made from bamboo cellulose, which means the towels dry faster, crease less and the material also has an antibacterial effect.

The “MÖVE EDEN” collection is made from cotton as well as linen, making it robust and hard-wearing – ideal for frequent use.

The important thing with blended towels is that the cotton content should still be high; at least 60% is desirable. Terry products made entirely from synthetic fibres fulfil their purpose for a shorter time and can quickly develop unpleasant odours or feel uncomfortable against the skin.

Is the weight decisive?

For terry products such as towels or bath towels, the product details often also include the weight. This does not refer to the absolute weight of an individual towel, but to a measurement per unit area: for example, the weight may be given as “550 g/m²”.

The classic categories are as follows:

Lightweight quality: 380 – 449 g/m²
Medium quality: 450 – 499 g/m²
Heavy quality: 500 – 600 g/m²
Luxury quality: over 600 g/m²

Towels with a lower weight than 380 g/m² also exist: for example, the “MÖVE PIQUÉE” range has a weight of 350 g/m². This is due to the weave, because piqué weave does not have a high pile that would add more weight. Instead, its structure provides a good massaging effect.

At the same time, there are also towels with a much higher weight than 600 g/m². These are usually very thick and fluffy, but at the same time so heavy that they can become almost uncomfortable.

Weight therefore has no direct influence on towel quality: heavy towels are not automatically higher-quality or better. More important is to make sure that the weight suits the intended use. Lightweight towels dry faster, but are usually less absorbent and may also be less hard-wearing.

Pay attention to certifications

Certifications can also help when it comes to assessing quality. All MÖVE products are tested for harmful substances in accordance with Oeko-Tex Standard 100 and are therefore harmless.

As a consumer, reviews from other customers can also be useful: a “Trusted Shops” seal with regular and positive customer reviews indicates not only that a shop is trustworthy, but also that other customers are satisfied with the orders they have received.