What Are 30×30cm Towels Used For?
Small cotton towels do more than you expect: removing makeup, wiping hands at the gym or drying your face after a workout. Here is how to use them and what to look for.
Why small cotton towels earn their place
Small cotton towels are some of the most-used textiles in a home. A 30 × 30 cm size is quick to wash and dry, soft on skin when it is made from combed cotton, and easy to keep in a gym bag, a bathroom drawer or beside the basin. If you would like the background on what a towel is and how the cloth is made, the overview of towels is a useful start. Our own small towels are 100% combed cotton at 600 GSM, sold in packs so everyone in the house can have their own.
The short answer
A 30×30cm towel is a small square of terry cotton. It is big enough to dry your hands and face, and small enough to carry in a gym bag or keep in a drawer. That is why one pack can cover several jobs around the home.
Five everyday uses of small cotton towels
- Removing makeup: a soft, reusable cotton cloth is a washable alternative to disposable wipes. Use warm water or your usual cleanser and wash the cloth after each use.
- The gym and training: a compact personal towel for wiping sweat during workouts, classes and sport. It folds small and dries quickly between sessions.
- Guest cloakroom: give each visitor a clean towel instead of one shared hand towel.
- Face and hands: a dedicated face towel keeps your bath towel for the shower.
- Travel and weekends away: light enough to pack, easy to wash and reuse.
How many small cotton towels do you need?
For makeup removal, one cloth per day is a sensible rule, so a pack of 5 or 10 covers a week or more between washes. For guests, allow one per visitor. For the gym, keep two in rotation so one is always clean.
What to look for
Choose 100% cotton for softness and absorbency. Our 30×30cm towels are 100% combed cotton at 600 GSM, in packs of 5 or 10 and ten colours. If you are unsure what the weight means, read what GSM means on towels.
Care tips
Wash at the temperature on the care label, skip fabric softener on cloths that touch your face because it can reduce absorbency, and dry fully between uses. Our guide on how to wash towels has the details. Browse the full guest towels range.
Frequently asked questions
Can I use a small towel to remove makeup?
Yes. A soft cotton cloth with warm water or your usual cleanser is a reusable alternative to wipes. Wash it after every use and patch test any new product if your skin is sensitive.
Is a 30×30cm towel big enough for the gym?
It suits wiping sweat during a workout. If you also shower at the gym, take a bath towel or bath sheet as well.
How often should I wash a face cloth?
After every use when it has touched makeup, otherwise at least every one to two days.
What size is a guest towel?
Guest towels are small, usually around 30×30cm to 30×50cm, and are meant for drying hands and faces.