Before You Buy is a free reference from KEMET for Trading Ltd, a UK-registered supplier of home and hospitality textiles. It brings together plain-English buying checks and practical lessons shared by independent professionals in hotels, spas, salons, yachts and clubs, so you can ask better questions before you order towels for your home or your business.
The short version: match the weight to the job, ask for documents instead of adjectives, and judge a towel by its cost per wash, not its shelf price.
Eight checks before you buy towels
1Weight (GSM)
GSM means grams per square metre and shows how heavy and dense the fabric is. Towels of 350 to 450 GSM are light and quick to dry, which suits gyms and travel. Towels of 450 to 550 GSM suit everyday use. Towels of 600 GSM and above feel plusher but take longer to dry and to launder. Heavier is not automatically better, so match the weight to the job.
2Fibre and yarn
The type of cotton and the way it is spun affect softness, strength and lint. Longer fibres and combed or ring-spun yarns generally give a smoother, stronger towel. If a label names an origin, ask what documents support it. Ask for documents, not adjectives.
3Size for the job
Hand towels and face cloths suit basins, bath towels suit drying after a shower, and larger bath sheets give extra coverage. A typical bath towel measures 70 by 140 cm and a bath sheet is larger. Product names vary between suppliers, so always check the stated dimensions.
4Absorbency and drying time
Absorbency depends on the fibre, the weight and the finish. Wash new towels before first use and avoid heavy fabric softener, which can coat the fibres and reduce absorbency over time.
5Construction and finish
Look at the hems, the stitching, the edges and how evenly the loops are woven. These details decide how a towel looks and feels after dozens of washes.
6Wash life and care
At home, follow the care label. For hotels, spas, salons and clubs, ask for a written wash-life statement or test evidence, and check that the recommended wash temperature fits your laundry process.
7Safety and certificates
Ask to see the certificate itself, not just the claim. OEKO-TEX Standard 100, for example, shows that a textile has been tested for harmful substances. Ask for the certificate number so that you can verify it with the issuing body.
8Cost per wash
Divide the price by the number of washes the towel will realistically last. For example, a towel priced at £6 that lasts 100 washes costs 6p per wash, while a towel priced at £9 that lasts 300 washes costs 3p per wash. These figures are illustrative only.
Professional insights
Practical lessons from people who buy, use and launder towels every day. Each contribution is published with its author’s approval.
The first professional insights are being prepared and will appear here once their authors have approved them. Share your own experience.
The question each setting is answering
We ask professionals in each setting one practical question. Their answers will appear above as they are approved.
- Hotels: What should a hotel check before approving a towel for guest use and regular laundering?
- Spas: What should a spa consider when choosing towels for different treatments and its daily care routine?
- Salons: What should a salon owner clarify before buying towels for different salon tasks?
- Yachts: What should a yacht team consider before choosing towels for guest use and onboard care?
- Clubs: What should a club consider when selecting towels for different facilities and planning stock around member demand?
Contribute your experience
If you buy, use or launder towels professionally, we would like to hear what you check before ordering. You can share an 80 to 120-word insight, a 30 to 45-second video or a short recorded conversation.
With your permission, we credit you and your organisation and link to your website. You approve any quotation or edited excerpt before it is published. There is no fee and no purchase is required. Contributors are credited as independent professionals, and their views are their own.
Frequently asked questions
What is Before You Buy?
Before You Buy is a free reference from KEMET for Trading Ltd. It sets out the checks worth making before you buy towels and adds practical lessons shared by independent professionals in hotels, spas, salons, yachts and clubs.
What does GSM mean on a towel?
GSM means grams per square metre. It describes how heavy and dense the fabric is. A higher GSM is usually thicker and slower to dry, while a lower GSM is lighter and dries faster. It is a measure of weight, not a measure of quality on its own.
How many washes should a good towel last?
It depends on the fibre, the construction and how the towel is laundered. For professional use, ask the supplier for a written wash-life statement or test evidence instead of relying on descriptions such as durable or premium.
Do new towels need washing before use?
Yes. Wash new towels once before first use, following the care label. Avoid heavy fabric softener, because it can coat the fibres and reduce absorbency over time.
Which certificates should I ask for?
Ask to see the certificate itself and its number, then verify it with the issuing body. OEKO-TEX Standard 100, for example, shows that a textile has been tested for harmful substances. Origin and quality documents are worth requesting for any claim made on a label.
Is the cheaper towel always the cheaper choice?
Not always. Divide the price by the number of washes the towel will realistically last to find the cost per wash. A towel that costs more but lasts much longer can cost less per wash.
Can I contribute to Before You Buy?
Yes. Professionals who buy, use or launder towels are welcome to share an 80 to 120-word insight, a 30 to 45-second video or a short recorded conversation. Contributors are credited with their permission and approve any quotation or edit before publication. There is no fee and no purchase is required.
Keep exploring
Shopping for your home? Browse our towels, bathrobes and home textile guides, or visit the KEMET Shop. Buying for a business? See B2B and wholesale.
Before You Buy is published by KEMET for Trading Ltd, which supplies textiles. We aim to keep this guidance independent of any single product.
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