A good bath towel is soft, absorbent and dries quickly. Look at the weight, called GSM: around 400 to 500 GSM is a good everyday towel that dries fast, and 600 GSM or more feels thick and plush. For most homes, each person needs two bath towels and two hand towels, so one set can be washed while the other is used.
What does GSM mean on a towel? GSM is grams per square metre, the weight of the fabric. A light towel of 300 to 400 GSM is thin and dries very fast, good for travel or the gym. 400 to 600 GSM is a soft everyday towel. Above 600 GSM the towel is thick and luxurious, but takes longer to dry.
Which towel sizes do I need? A hand towel is about 50 x 70 cm, for the basin. A bath towel is about 70 x 140 cm, for after a shower. A bath sheet is larger, around 100 x 150 cm, if you like to wrap up. A small guest towel of about 30 x 50 cm is useful when visitors come.
How many towels does a home need? Two bath towels and two hand towels per person, and one or two extra sets for guests.
How do I wash towels so they stay soft? Wash new towels before the first use, to remove the finish from the factory and make them more absorbent. Wash at 40 to 60 °C, do not overfill the machine, and use little or no fabric softener, because it coats the fibres and makes towels absorb less. Shake them out before drying.
Does the climate matter? Yes. In a warm, humid bathroom, a towel that dries quickly stays fresh longer. Hang towels open, not folded, and let air reach them.
Three quick answers
What is a good GSM for a bath towel? 400 to 600 GSM for everyday use; above 600 for a plush towel.
What size is a standard bath towel? About 70 x 140 cm.
Should I use fabric softener on towels? Little or none, because it makes towels less absorbent.
