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What Towel Grade Do I Need?

What Towel Grade Do I Need?

They say luxury is a state of mind, but we know that the towels you use can be the difference between patting one's face with fluffy fabric and what may feel like rubbing one's body with scratchy, worn-out cloth. So, how do you go about picking towels that are heavy, soft and absorbent enough — especially when shopping wholesale towels online?

To understand what towel grade you need, we need to dive deeper into defining thread counts, understanding what towel GSM is and how they work together to create all the varied towel products you've come to love.

What Does Thread Count Mean for Towels?

Thread count refers to how many threads go across, both horizontally and vertically, within one square inch of towel fabric. Unlike bedding, the thread count and weight of towels are measured in grams per square meter (GSM). Many different factors play into a towel's thread count, but typically, a higher thread count means the towel is heavier and more absorbent.

Does Towel Thread Count Matter?

Does Towel Thread Count Matter?

When choosing towels for your guests, thread count matters. Towels with a high thread count are very plush, soft, durable and absorbent — like Egyptian cotton towels. These towels, when cared for properly, last for years and are a staple in many spas and hotels.

Although it may seem like a fairly straightforward practice, some businesses have bent the rules of thread count in the past. They would indicate the thread count as the number of strands instead of the number of threads. Multiple strands of cotton make up one thread, so counting each small fabric strand can result in an exaggerated thread count.

When examining thread count, make sure you examine:

  • The number of threads per square inch
  • High-quality stitching with tightly packed, thick loops
  • Whether you can see the base layer
  • How heavy it feels

Heavier towels with more material and denser loops will feel softer and provide more volume for absorbency. A heavy towel means more threads were used, adding to its overall quality. Lightweight towels where you can see the base easily have less material and won't absorb a lot of water or feel soft.

Different Types of Thread Construction

The number of threads per inch is only part of the main picture when choosing towels. The type of thread and how the towel is constructed also contribute to the durability and quality of the towels. Double-turned edges, double stitches and tightly packed loops make a huge contribution to the final product, but the construction technique used for the threads is critical.

Here are four common techniques:

  1. Combed: With combed threads, the fibers are combed, and the manufacturing process removes shorter threads. This leaves only the strongest, longest and highest quality threads for weaving the end products.
  2. Twist: With this technique, the threads are twisted together at various rates to achieve different results. For instance, a high-twist thread yields a more durable and stronger towel. However, low-twist threads result in towels with a softer and smoother feel.
  3. Ringspun: Ringspun, unlike the combed cotton, combines the short and long-staple threads, twisting them together tightly, making a stronger and smoother thread. This results in a more luxurious feel than with combed cotton.
  4. Terry: A terry towel uses extra thread to create larger thread loops, which results in a higher absorbency towel.

Different Types of Thread Construction

Ordinary towels can break down after many laundry days with frequent washings. Commercial towels need to be extremely durable — without losing absorbency. That's why towels come in multiple colors and weights while keeping their shape and softness. If you're still uncertain about the quality you need when shopping online, you can look for other categories or shop by application to ensure you buy towels that will last for their function.

What Is GSM?

In addition to thread count and thread construction, factor in GSM in towels. What does GSM mean in towels, exactly? It describes the towel's thickness or linear density and is the standard measurement for the fabric's quality and weight. Towels are typically between 300 to 900 GSM. As with thread count, the higher the GSM number, the thicker the towel.

Why is towel thickness such a big deal?

  1. Thick towels are highly absorbent, making drying simple.
  2. A weighty, soft towel provides a sense of comfort.
  3. Thick towels often withstand more wear and tear.

When shopping for wholesale towels, consider this general GSM breakdown to help you make an informed decision:

  • 300 to 400 GSM: The towels are thinner and lighter, meaning they'll dry quicker. These are ideal for the kitchen or gym.
  • 400 to 600 GSM: Standard bath and beach towels that are thicker and heavier normally fall within this GSM category. 
  • 600 to 900 GSM: Usually considered luxury material, these towels are thicker and heavier, thereby offering amazing absorbency. They're the least favorable option for commercial purposes.

A higher towel GSM means it will soak more water up, but take longer to dry. Standard cotton towels are made and priced for everyday use. On the other hand, the more costly towels, such as the premium varieties Pima and Egyptian cotton, have much longer threads that allow them to have more moisture-absorbent loops per inch.

Towel loops improve the absorbency of a towel by trapping water drops in their hoop. Although there's no way to measure the absorbency of a towel without actually trying it, towels with higher thread counts will likely provide more towel loops, meaning they will offer maximum absorbency.

How to Understand a Towel’s GSM

There are drawbacks to purchasing towels with very high or low GSM ratings. You'll find the best middle ground from purchasing towels with GSMs that fall in the middle range. However, to determine where this middle range falls, it's necessary to break down the meaning of GSM in towels:

  • 200 GSM: A GSM of 200 is typical for economy towels. These are towels you might buy if you’re looking for something inexpensive and easy to throw away. They will be quite thin, but still good for wiping down surfaces and other simple tasks.
  • 400 GSM: 400 GSM represents a very middle-of-the-road towel. Think of your average beach or bath towel, and you’ll have a good idea of what 400 GSM feels like. They offer consistent, reliable performance and feel soft without being too heavy. Towels falling in this category also perform well in humid areas.
  • 600 GSM: Towels with 600 GSM are high quality. Businesses that need luxury items often use these towels as they possess superior absorption abilities. You can count on them to perform well for many years.
  • 800 GSM: These towels represent serious luxury. They’re extremely absorbent and beautifully soft on the skin for fantastic long-term performance.
  • 800+ GSM: Towels can generally rate as high as 900 GSM and still function extremely well. Once the number begins to climb much higher than 900, however, you may start to run into some of the pitfalls of handling towels that are too heavy and take much longer to dry.

How Does GSM Determine the Thickness of a Towel?

GSM measures the density of a towel’s loops, otherwise known as its pile. But how does this translate into a towel’s thickness? It’s simple — the denser a towel’s loops are, the thicker, fluffier and softer the towel feels. In contrast, if a towel has only a few loops, this towel will feel thin and rough. It may even feel scratchy along the skin.

Although this is certainly a factor, a towel's thickness is about more than comfort levels. More dense towels will feel soft against the skin, but they will also absorb far more liquid. It's a matter of how much fabric — or how many loops — a towel has. Towels with a lot more fabric can absorb moisture more easily. It will take far longer for this towel to reach the point of saturation when it can’t absorb any more.

In comparison, thin towels contain much less fabric in their composition, and thus, have lower absorption power. It will take a smaller amount of water before these towels hit the point of critical mass where they can’t absorb any more. They may feel light and flimsy, but they can be loaded in bigger bundles for washing and dry quickly afterward.

How Does GSM Determine the Thickness of a Towel?

GSM directly correlates to a towel's thickness and by extension its absorption levels.

  • The higher a towel's GSM, the thicker the towel.
  • The lower the GSM, the thinner the towel.

Knowing the GSM towel grade can also help to estimate the degree of other factors, such as softness and absorption.

Can a Towel Be Too Thick?

Thick towels have a whole host of benefits, including superior absorbency, longer lifespan and increased softness on the skin. But can a towel reach a point where it's too thick and no longer desirable? Would it become less useful if you were to keep adding fluffiness? While a thick towel is wonderful, it becomes more absorbent as its thickness increases. 

Because this material is so efficient at absorbing water, it's difficult to get rid of it. This turns out to be a real problem when it comes to washing your towels. Washing machines saturate towels with soap and water in the cleaning process and dryers use intense blasts of heat to dry them out.

Washing extremely absorbent towels, such as those with high GSM counts, brings up a few challenges:

  • More than one drying cycle is necessary to remove all moisture
  • Higher energy consumption from using washing machines and dryers regularly
  • Washing process takes longer to complete without overloading the washing machine
  • Higher water consumption from regular washing
  • Fewer towels can be washed per washing cycle

Even though it's inconvenient to wash thick, heavy towels after every use, it becomes even more problematic if you wash them only after a couple of uses. In ordinary cases, after using a towel, one would hang it up where it air-dries slowly until it's ready. The problem with extremely thick towels is that this air-drying process takes too long to be effective — if it happens at all.

This means that the next time you grab your towel to use it, it will probably still be damp and chilly. Plus, since it has been wet for so long, it may also have developed a slight smell. Towels can be breeding grounds for bacteria if you leave them in a damp state for too long.

Thick towels are wonderful products to stock in your home or use in your business. They're more effective for drying, feel gentler on the skin and last longer. For this reason, we can say that thicker towels offer superior performance and are more reliable in every situation. If these are the qualities you’re looking for, then thicker towels are undeniably better than their thin counterparts.

On the other hand, if you're looking for an inexpensive towel that you can easily throw away after a handful of uses, then a thick, luxurious towel is not the best choice. To prevent a lack of drying ability, a musty odor and the growth of bacteria, it’s best to avoid buying towels that are too thick. Seek out a happy medium instead of buying the very thickest towel you can find.

What's the Best GSM for Wholesale Towels?

When choosing the best towel weight, it is a matter of personal preference or the type of business you run. You wouldn't want to offer your guests bath towels below 400 GSM if you're running a hotel — you'd probably want to go with a towel weight of 600 GSM or higher. Lower GSM towels may dry faster, but they absorb less water.

Additionally, you need to judge the towels by more than their in-store softness. Many towels come with added softener from manufacturers to make them appear soft and fluffy, but will start to feel rough and coarse after several washes. One great way to ensure the luxurious longevity of your towels is to look for the “made from 100 percent cotton” label. Cotton fibers absorb water naturally and can hold about 25 times its weight in liquid.

Most towels are made from cotton. However, there are various high-end cotton towels with different GSM rates and levels of quality to look for when buying wholesale towels, including:

  • Economy quality: Economy-quality towels come in various sizes and shapes, from bath towels to washcloths. They're the best type of cotton towel if you're looking for thirstiness and quick drying.
  • Premium quality: The fibers in the premium quality towels are looped more tightly and provide more fluffiness than the economy-quality towels.
  • Premium-plus quality: You'll typically find these top-line, premium-plus quality towels in hotels, spas and country clubs as they are the highest quality level of wholesale towels.

Types of Wholesale, Durable Towels at Towel Super Center

Deciding on the best wholesale towels for your business involves much more than simply the type and color. When choosing towels for your customers and guests, you’ll want to look at factors like feel, size, weight and quality. You also need to buy towels that suit your type of business — hotel guests will find small, low-absorbancy towels impractical as much as gym patrons will find huge, luxurious towels needlessly cumbersome.

No matter what your business is, Towel Super Center has wholesale towels available in bulk for you. See some examples of our inventory:

  • Gym towels: When working out at the gym, no doubt your patrons will break out in a sweat. Therefore, you'll need to provide a quality gym towel to keep your patrons dry and wipe the sweat off the gym equipment. Offering quality gym towels will provide your patrons with an added special touch to their gym experience.
  • Spa towels: If you are a spa or salon owner, you no doubt require an endless amount of towels each day. Whether you're using towels on a customer's hair after a perm or coloring or providing them to your customers to dry their hands or steam their face, you can't have enough fresh spa or salon hand towels on hand. White-colored towels are ideal because they retain their quality in both hue and texture. Premium hand towels are made with resilience and durability.
  • Hotel towels: When running a hotel, supplying rooms with thin 300 GSM towels will just not do. You want soft and fluffy, luxurious hotel-quality bath towels that your guests expect from any hotel. These towels' GSM rating are usually on the higher end of the scale.
  • Yoga towels: Yoga studios also need towels in various colors and sizes. There are many different qualities of yoga towels, both economical and premium for just the right level of comfort.
  • Grooming towels: If you run a pet grooming company, you need a dependable set of tools, alongside durable towels. Towels for pets need to be strong, absorbent and easy to clean, which makes investing in high-quality grooming towels essential.
  • Bleach-resistant towels: When you own or manage a spa, hotel, restaurant or salon, you no doubt want to have your towels washed with bleach. If your signature towels match your brand's colors, then bleach-resistant colored towels offer the safeguard you need to keep those colors vibrant.
  • Rally towels: Rally towels are great for marketing or encouraging support and unity at different events. These towels are soft and strong and even have enough space to print any messages or designs.
  • Cleaning towels: Whether you manage bar counters or restaurant tables, you need high-quality cleaning towels and materials to keep your space in tip-top shape.
  • Car wash towels: As a car wash dealer, you know the importance of using suitable towels and products for car washing, detailing and polishing. Choosing the right towel for cleaning cars makes all the difference.
  • Golf towels: Golf clubs need to provide everything that golfers may need for their game, including towels. You can easily select from a wide range of sizes and colors to match your establishment's aesthetic.

Shop for High-Quality Wholesale Towels at Towel Super Center

Shop for High-Quality Wholesale Towels at Towel Super Center

No matter what kind of business you run, we understand that you need high-quality towels to use and supply freely with pride. That's why we stock a wide selection of towels in a variety of sizes and colors, from simple economy to premium plus luxury. We are committed to offering you the most extensive range at very affordable prices.

Ensure you buy enough towels that match in quality, size or color and have them delivered to your front door without the hassle of heading to multiple stores. Shop for high-quality wholesale towels at Towel Super Center today.

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