Hotels absorb the water and dry you so much better than towels at home? Here is why... (2024)

FAQs

Hotels absorb the water and dry you so much better than towels at home? Here is why...? ›

The fact that hotel owners exclusively buy high-quality towels from recognized linen manufacturers and that the maintenance process for the towels is significantly different are the two main reasons why hotel towels have better absorption power than those used at home.

The main reason is that they wash their towels in hot water 40-50c with commercial detergent and no fabric softener. Fabric softener can really reduce the absorbency of your towels,which leave a waxy residue on towels, for example. Also, cotton gets more absorbent with use, and hotel towels are well-used.

But if you've ever attempted to use a new bath towel without first washing it, you probably noticed it wasn't absorbing much water. This is because cotton towels are treated with a silicone finish at the end of the manufacturing process.

Useful for a Variety of Purposes: Towels are an essential part of the hotel industry and provide a multitude of uses. Their absorbent fabric content and assorted sizes make them ideal for many purposes, including showering, washing up, absorbing extra water or spills, wiping down surfaces and even for pool use.

Of all the fabrics, cotton is the most absorbent material. So it means a cotton towel will absorb more moisture than a microfiber, bamboo, or any other towel. Do you know why? Cotton fibers have a lot of space between them.

Dehumidifiers - These are commonly employed in hotels and remove water to help decrease overall humidity levels and prevent mold, dust mites, or other undesirable organisms from growing. However, this naturally encourages dry air conditions.

Gottsman advises guests to leave their rooms tidy so that hotel staff can clean thoroughly without having to “filter through personal items on the floor or dresser.” As such, she recommends designating spaces for belongings like “dirty towels in one corner, shoes put together in a corner, [and] clothes in your suitcase ...

At the time of your check-out, if the Housekeeping attendant notices the missing towel, then you will be gently notified that the towels in the room are missing.

You can use the towel as many times as you want much the same as you would at home. If you allow staff to clean your room and you intend to reuse the towel make sure you hang it up to dry. If you want fresh towels leave the dirty/used ones on the floor as it's a sign to staff that you don't plan to use them again.

Towels that are heavier, more expensive or higher quality have a greater GSM than cheaper towels that tend to fall apart more easily. Typically, the more loops that are woven into a towel, the higher the GSM. The lightest towels are 300 to 400 GSM. A decent-quality, medium-weight towel runs 400 to 600 GSM.

Are thinner towels better? ›

Thicker, heavier towels are usually more absorbent than thinner, lighter towels, but take longer to dry, of course. Towels made of Egyptian or Pima cotton, premium cotton brands, are super absorbent, and towels made with rayon absorb even a bit more water than cotton.

Advantages of Microfiber Towels

While cotton towels are also absorbent, microfiber is designed such that it can absorb up to seven times its weight in water. Microfiber is also extremely fine and can be an excellent choice of towel when cleaning potentially sensitive items, like electronics or glass.

Hotels use a variety of methods to keep their towels looking crisp and white, including industrial-strength laundry detergents, bleach, and fabric softeners. They also often use high-temperature washing and drying cycles to ensure that towels are thoroughly cleaned and sanitized.

What materials are used to ensure hotel towels remain soft? Most hotels opt for high-quality, durable materials like 100% cotton for their towels. This natural fiber is known for becoming softer with each wash, and towels with a high GSM (grams per square meter) tend to be plushier and more absorbent.

Durability

That's why most hotels and resorts use cotton towels since they provide great value for money. Consider buying 100 percent cotton towels. While Cotton/polyester blend is also durable, it is less absorbent as compared to cotton.