What happen when you use Low Gsm Towels?
Using a bath towel with low GSM comes with compromises. First, it’s important to note that low GSM towels are quicker to dry; this is to be expected because the towels are lighter and thinner. Low GSM towels are also lower cost since they are made with less terry and often lower quality cotton. The negatives of using a low GSM towel far outweigh these two benefits. First, they are not nearly as absorbent as medium and high GSM towels. That means you would need to use more towels to dry yourself — if you’ve ever stayed in a budget hotel with thin towels, you know what this is like. Low GSM towels are also not nearly as durable as their mid- and high-GSM counterparts, due to both their lighter weight and the fact that they are not usually made with high-quality material. Low GSM towels can wear out more quickly, can become thin and frayed over time, and do not hold up well to frequent washing and drying. As luxury linen experts, we recommend avoiding low GSM towels for any use in your bath. It is much better to invest in one or two higher-quality towels with mid- to high-GSM, as these towels are made with superior materials and will grow softer and more absorbent with repeated washings. (See below for tips on how you can refresh your luxury towels to their original look and feel).
How To Care For Luxury Bath Towels
In all cases, quality cotton bath towels should be laundered with care to keep them looking and feeling great. At Fine Linen and Bath, we offer a specific set of guidelines that include using Best-Quality All-Purpose Laundry Detergent. This concentrated, pH-neutral detergent is made with a proprietary enzyme blend that effectively cleans while preserving the beauty and integrity luxury towels. We also recommend avoiding harsh chemicals like bleach and never using fabric softener or dyer sheets; instead, use wool dryer balls to soften towels and reduce drying time.
THE IMPORTANCE OF HIGH GSM IN TOWELS
High GSM cotton towels are usually better quality. In general, a cotton bath towel that weighs 400 GSM and above is considered to be good quality. The fabric in these soft towels is woven more densely, and thus is softer and more absorbent than a lower GSM fabric (for example, that found in a standard kitchen towel).
A general guideline to GSM ranges in cotton towels is as follows:
- 300 to 400 GSM: Lightweight, thinner, coarser
- 400 to 600 GSM: Medium to higher weight, soft and absorbent, good for bath or beach towels
- 700 to 900 GSM: Highest, heavy weight, soft and absorbent, high-priced, a luxury towel
When shopping for a cotton towel, begin by looking in the 400 to 600 GSM range. These towels are luxurious without being overly heavy, which makes them ideal for bath and beach. They are soft and absorbent while still being easy to care for. Move on to higher GSM for towels that are thicker, plush, and even more absorbent.
Where To Find High GSM Bath Towels
At Rekhas House of Cotton, we sell only the finest bath towels with mid-to high-GSM counts. Our best-selling product lines include towels, hand towels, kitchen towels, Gym towels & Spa towels each of which feature a range of towels in varying weights, patterns, styles and colors.
