What type of cotton is best for towels? Which is better Turkish or Egyptian cotton towels?

To most people, a towel is just a towel, right? But, if that is the case, why is it that hotel towels are always ridiculously smooth and luxurious? It’s not as though they replace the towels entirely after a single use! So, what is it? Is it in the cotton? If so, what is the best type of cotton for towels? 

Welcome to the ultimate fluffy showdown between Turkish and Egyptian cotton. 

What constitutes a quality towel? 

Before we get into the nitty-gritty of which is better: Egyptian cotton or Turkish cotton; first, let’s look at what constitutes a quality towel. 

• Material: OK, as the title of this article suggests, clearly the materials used dictate the quality of a towel. In this instance, we’re talking about cotton, and the different types of cotton towels available. The higher quality of the material, the more superior the towel. 

• Absorbency: Absorbency is crucial when it comes to picking a quality towel. There’s nothing worse than having a towel that doesn’t pick up water from your body effectively. 

• Softness: Nobody wants a scratchy towel to dry the nether regions with after a nice shower or a bath. As such, the softness of the towel dictates the overall quality. 

• Production: Unfortunately, it’s not as simple as picking the right material. In fact, the entire process right from picking the cotton itself, through to the weaving process is crucial in determining the overall quality of the towel. 

• Weight: As a rule of thumb, the heavier the towel, the better it is in terms of absorbency. Naturally, thin and lightweight towels do not absorb so well—however, they are fast-drying making them suitable for beach towels. 

• Shrink: Quality towels don’t shrink immediately in the wash. Ideally, a quality towel should last for several washes before it begins to shrink, but you can do much to slow this process (e.g., wash at lower temperatures, dry outdoors, etc.)

Of course, picking a quality towel is all well and good if you don’t maintain it properly. Here’s how to keep your towels softer for longer…

What type of cotton is best for towels?

So, what type of cotton is best for towels? This is a difficult question to answer because it all depends on what it is that you are looking for—or who you ask. 

Which is better: Turkish or Egyptian cotton towels?

It’s showtime! It’s time to identify which is better: Turkish cotton or Egyptian cotton towels? 

If you ask a Turkish cotton towel company, their products are far superior. If you ask an Egyptian cotton towel company on the other hand, of course, theirs are far better as well. 

So, rather than pick which is best, let’s identify what makes them unique. That way, you can decide which of the two cotton varieties would make the perfect towel for you. 

Turkish cotton towels:

Turkish cotton is, on the whole, less absorbent than Egyptian cotton and becomes less and less so after every use. In the same breath, Turkish cotton also dries exceptionally fast, which makes it ideal for those who either A. hate waiting for their towels to air dry / B. don’t like wasting money on their utility bills. 

The fact that Turkish cotton dries so quickly also makes it harder for bacteria to build up. This leaves you with a towel that smells fresher for longer, which is ideal when drying your face, hair, and hands. 

In addition to having rather smooth threads, Turkish cotton is also notably strong. You shouldn’t expect the threads to be so strong given just how soft and light they feel to the touch. 

Due to their lightweight and fast-drying nature, Turkish cotton towels are typically favoured in places such as Gyms and high-end fitness facilities. 

Egyptian cotton towels:

Egyptian cotton towels have a name that is quite simply synonymous with quality. But, there’s a good reason for that too. Egyptian cotton threads are fat and fluffy from the very beginning and it is this density that gives Egyptian cotton such an irrefutably opulent feel—which is also why the cotton picks up moisture so quickly.  

Due to its rich thickness, Egyptian cotton tends not to let go of the moisture quite as well as Turkish cotton does. As such, you need to dry Egyptian cotton much more regularly in order to reduce the build-up of bacteria. 

And of course, given the fact that Egyptian cotton is so fluffy, it is the choice for sheets and bath towels in most cases. 

Places like spas and luxury hotels favour plush Egyptian cotton towels, and homeowners favour them for a treat as well. 

Conclusion 

As you can see from the information provided, both Egyptian cotton towels and Turkish cotton towels have some amazing benefits. That’s why it is so difficult to decide on which material is best! Ultimately, the decision is yours!

So, if you want a luxuriously soft towel—we’re talking 5-star Thai Hotel Towel quality—then an Egyptian cotton towel is the only way to go.  

If on the other hand, you want something that is plush, not so clingy in terms of moisture and odours, and ideal for a fitness environment, then a quality Turkish cotton towel will serve you wonderfully. 

In any case, you can’t go wrong. Both cotton types are of exceptional quality and make towels that will be kind to your body for longer!