With so many different bathroom towels on the market, it can be really confusing trying to work out what towels you actually need in your bathroom and beyond.
Perplexed by the difference between a bath towel and a bath sheet? Don’t know your hand towels from your finger towels, or your face towels from your washcloths? Unsure about whether bamboo or cotton is best for your skin? Look no further.
This guide will answer all your pressing towel-related questions and ensure that you have everything you need for a well-stocked bathroom.
Bath sheet vs bath towel
Bath towels and bath sheets are often confused or used interchangeably, but they do have some crucial differences.
So, are bath sheets bigger than bath towels? Yes, the bath sheet is the largest type of towel available in your bathroom set, measuring anywhere from 35 by 60 inches to 40 by 70 inches.
And what size is a bath towel? It clocks in somewhere between 25 by 52 inches and 31 by 58 inches, making it a smaller relative of the bath sheet.
If you find that a conventional bath towel doesn’t quite give you the coverage you want after a relaxing dip in the tub, bamboo bath sheets might be perfect for you. Its extra surface area will mean that you never have to skimp on cosiness.
The extra surface area also increases the absorption potential of these towels, so if you've been looking for an answer to the question "What is the best bath towel for drying", you might just have found it - it's a bamboo towel.
Think of a towel and the way that it is made, and you see lots of individual fibres and loops within. This is important, as each fibre has its own surface area for water to be attracted to.
The more fibres there are, the more surface area there is to attract water.
However, because the bath towel is smaller, it is easier to store and hang up to dry, and usually carries a smaller price tag, so may be more appealing if you want to be economical with your space and money.
Whatever size you go for in this bath sheet vs bath towel duel, you can be sure that the highest quality will be guaranteed when you buy one of Misona’s sustainable cotton towels or bamboo bath towels.
Washcloths and face towels
There are many different types of towels, and no bathroom is complete without a steady supply of washcloths and face towels.
Face towels are square and smaller than wash cloths, and can be used to wash and dry the face or remove makeup.
Because your face is more sensitive than your body, they need to be soft, easy to keep clean and absorbent, meaning that materials like organic cotton, bamboo or microfibres are best.
It may seem obvious when you think about it, but it is very important to make sure you have a separate face and body towel.
Not only can using the same towel transfer unwanted bacteria to your face, but it can also spread everything else you put on your body - from fragrances to moisturisers and hair products.
This could clog your pores, increase breakouts, and even lead to irritation and rashes.
To ensure this doesn’t happen, dermatologists recommend using a separate face towel and washing and replacing it every one to two days - or more if you have sensitive or breakout prone skin.
Because bamboo is naturally anti-bacterial and hypoallergenic, our organic bamboo towels are perfect for the face, giving even those with the most sensitive skin peace of mind.
Washcloths are also square, but come in at a larger 12 by 12 inches or 13 by 13 inches.
These are used to wash the body while showering or bathing, and come in a range of materials.
However, our organic cotton towels stand out from the crowd, with gorgeous textured surfaces that provide a gentle scrub without sacrificing softness.
Hand, fingers and toes too
Hand towels usually measure between 15 to 18 inches by 27 to 32 inches. This common type of small towel is found on hooks and towel rings across the world, and is used for drying the hands after washing.
It is widely accepted that bathrooms need separate hand towels, as they are often used by guests and multiple members of the same household, and can collect bacteria and dirt if hands are not always washed thoroughly.
Hand towels should be soft to the touch, but also quick drying and very absorbent as they are in higher demand than many other types of towel.
Our organic bamboo towels are perfect for the job, as they are extremely absorbent and naturally antibacterial, making sure your hands are dried and cleaned efficiently.
Perhaps less common, fingertip towels or finger towels are smaller than hand towels but bigger than washcloths, measuring up at around 11 inches by 18 inches.
These towels tend to be more decorative and come in a range of colours and designs, although they can also match the rest of your towel set.
Some people also opt to use a foot towel, which dry the feet after emerging from the bath or shower. However, their use is not widespread as they do not have the same grip as a bath mat, making them more prone to slipping around on a wet bathroom floor.
We recommend instead investing in a high quality bath mat - like our organic cotton and diatomite bath mat.
Out-and-about towels
There are plenty of other kinds of towels that are not usually found in the bathroom.
Gym and sports towels are used for removing sweat from the body during a workout. They are usually medium-sized, as they need to be small enough to fit in a gym bag or locker, but big enough to effectively wick sweat.
Gym towels need to be really absorbent to cope with the demands of a workout, so materials like cotton and bamboo are best.
Beach towels are much larger, often measuring 40 by 70 inches, and are used for laying out on sunny days and drying off after a dip in the sea or swimming pool.
A beach towel is also often thinner and less luxurious to the touch as it can get dirty and damaged by the sun and salt water.
Want them all?
If you have recently moved or want to rejuvenate your bathroom experience, buying a towel set can be the perfect way to ensure you have everything you need.
Buying in sets ensures all your towels are carefully curated to take on a variety of roles and perfectly complement each other.
It is also wise to have two easy dry towels for bathing per person so that when one is being washed, the fresh and clean bath towel can be brought to use.
Why not try one of our sustainable cotton or organic bamboo towel bales, which provide all the luxury you could want, while staying kind to your skin and the planet?
Shop all of Misona's premium quality towels here.