4Real Forums: Bath Towels

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Topic: Bath Towels

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JennGM
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Posted: Jan 04 2008 at 5:15pm \| IP Logged

Dh has assigned me purchase of new bath towels for our house.

Does anyone have some recommendations for plush, absorbent, all cotton, soft towels? I remember Lands End used to brag about their towels. I haven't checked to see now. I'd prefer not made in China. And I can't stand the kind that seem soft and plush but then the water doesn't seem to get absorbed, KWIM?

What should I be looking for? Egyptian Cotton? I can't remember the other recommendations for towels.

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Jennifer G. Miller
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JennGM
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Posted: Jan 04 2008 at 5:18pm \| IP Logged

Oh, and I like the longer ones, at least 60 inches, none of these short skinny towels. Asking too much?

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Jennifer G. Miller
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Rachel May
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Posted: Jan 04 2008 at 5:40pm \| IP Logged

JennGM wrote:

And I can't stand the kind that seem soft and plush but then the water doesn't seem to get absorbed, KWIM?

I think this can be due to using fabric softener too often. You end up with a squeegee instead of a towel.

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JennGM
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Posted: Jan 04 2008 at 6:04pm \| IP Logged

Rachel May wrote:

JennGM wrote:

And I can't stand the kind that seem soft and plush but then the water doesn't seem to get absorbed, KWIM?

I think this can be due to using fabric softener too often. You end up with a squeegee instead of a towel.

Never use it and I don't think my mil does, either, but her newer towels are like this.

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Jennifer G. Miller
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lapazfarm
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Posted: Jan 04 2008 at 6:42pm \| IP Logged

Oh, I had some towels like that once. After a month or so of washings they ended up being much better.

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guitarnan
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Posted: Jan 04 2008 at 7:01pm \| IP Logged

Some towels never get better, though...I always thought it was because they weren't all cotton or something like that.

One thought...dark towels fade fairly quickly, and light towels can wash out, too. I've had dark blue, peach, sage green and medium blue (sort of Wedgewood?). The medium-toned ones really keep their color longest.

My peach towels were Fieldcrest...very nice except for the color issue. I bought the dark blue ones at Target...same thing. I think the blue and sage ones are Fieldcrest, too, although one set might be Martex.

Of course, I look at the Bed Bath and Beyond website and see...neither of those brands. Kohl's has some Martex towels, though.

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Maryan
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Posted: Jan 04 2008 at 7:04pm \| IP Logged

Jenn -- I have the same problem figuring out towels -- either too soft and do nothing OR too rough... and also do nothing. It's like Goldilocks.

I like the ones that I registered for at Bed Bath and Beyond... but it was just chance!! Because since then.. I've had towel purchase issues and haven't had the same good fortune!!

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SuzanneG
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Posted: Jan 04 2008 at 9:36pm \| IP Logged

Good news....most decent towels are NOT Made in China.

I just went through the same purchase.
Ended up with the Charter Club towels from Macy's and we've been happy with them. They do absorb and they're soft. They made not hold up as long as the Royal Velvet towels I had before, though.

We got my mom some Lands' End towels last year for Christmas and I used them when we were there last summer.....NICE!!! Can't remember exactly what they were called.

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folklaur
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Posted: Jan 05 2008 at 12:11am \| IP Logged

JennGM wrote:

Dh has assigned me purchase of new bath towels for our house.

This just boggles my mind. I can honestly say, I don't think my dh will ever say, "Hon, we need new towels."

It will never, ever, occur to him.

I love reading all the replies though! I thought it was just me with the whole "soft but not absorbent towels" issue. And I am thinking, "New house...new towels, right?!?"

5athome
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Posted: Jan 05 2008 at 8:22am \| IP Logged

Jenn

We just bought new towels a few months ago. I went with the Bamboo towels from LandsEnd. They are made in Turkey & are really thick and fluffy. Even after many washings they are still thick and absorbent.

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Margaret
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vmalott
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Posted: Jan 05 2008 at 9:05am \| IP Logged

My favorite towels here are our Fieldcrest Classic towels that I got at Target. They are big, soft, and absorbant. They're made in India and of 100% Pima Cotton.

I'm wondering if the fluffy, soft-looking ones you're talking about might be called velour or cotton velour? I know I've handled some towels like that...I think my mom has a couple...and you're right, they don't absorb very well at all.

Valerie

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hylabrook1
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Posted: Jan 05 2008 at 9:09am \| IP Logged

I know exactly what you mean about those towels that seem to wipe over top of what they should be absorbing! The ones we've liked best are from Costco. Don't know about brand or whether they are MIC, but they are soft and absorbent. The only thing is, they don't often have much of a lovely color selection.

Peace,
Nancy

guitarnan
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Posted: Jan 05 2008 at 9:43am \| IP Logged

Nancy, you are a true diplomat! Costco's towels are not lovely at all...LOL!

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JennGM
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Posted: Jan 05 2008 at 10:03am \| IP Logged

cactus mouse wrote:

JennGM wrote:

Dh has assigned me purchase of new bath towels for our house.

This just boggles my mind. I can honestly say, I don't think my dh will ever say, "Hon, we need new towels."

Oh you made me LOL, Laura! My dh isn't a control freak, it's just there are a few factors that makes him aware of these things. One is that he has very dry and sensitive skin, so if the towels aren't soft, he notices. And two, we're only doing planned spending, so I need the "budget approval" for the go ahead.

Thanks everyone for your input. It's such a mundane, everyday thing, but one wants to have the money well spent.

Theresa, you're right, I think they are marked as cotton velour, and I'll stay away from those!

The towels we have are from our wedding, 7 years ago. Utica was the brand, and I've been generally pleased. Although Costco colors aren't the best, I was considering those. Towels to me must be functional, not necessarily pretty, and I do like to be able to bleach them once in a while if needed...dark colors don't work for that.

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Jennifer G. Miller
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LisaR
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Posted: Jan 05 2008 at 10:46am \| IP Logged

we went to all white towels from Kohl's a few years back. I like that I can wash on HOT, bleach if I need to, line dry in the summer sun and not worry about fading, etc. They were the towel that always seems to go on sale there, and they have held up great with my stinky boys. We have a few older (6 years or so?) towels from Lands End, and they never absorbed right, but I think they were a certain unique kind- that is what I get for shopping the Overstocks! :)

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Kathryn UK
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Posted: Jan 05 2008 at 2:38pm \| IP Logged

cactus mouse wrote:

JennGM wrote:

Dh has assigned me purchase of new bath towels for our house.

This just boggles my mind. I can honestly say, I don't think my dh will ever say, "Hon, we need new towels."

It will never, ever, occur to him.

My dh has even been known to ask for new towels for Christmas

. He always wants soft and doesn't much care about how absorbent they are so long as they are soft enough. I actually dislike towels that are too soft or too thick and prefer them with a bit of "crunch". Our towels don't match

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Mari
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Posted: Jan 07 2008 at 5:29am \| IP Logged

5athome wrote:

Oh, that's wonderful!

I would love some of these when our old ones fall apart! My dd is a real nature-eco girl and wants to protect the environment. Bamboo is fast growing and does not need tons of pesticides / water. Even if you go for organic cotton, it still would have consumed tons of water. Bamboo absorbs more moiture than cotton and is naturally anti-fungal.

Having said all that, I have never owned a bamboo towel - but I am looking out for bamboo shirts for my dh.

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Mari
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Posted: Jan 07 2008 at 5:31am \| IP Logged

P.S. If you are a sporty type and have not very poetic smelling feet, apparently bamboo socks is a super idea....

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JennGM
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Posted: Jan 07 2008 at 9:19am \| IP Logged

Can bamboo handle hot water, bleach and repeated washings? How is it on mildew resistance?

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Jennifer G. Miller
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5athome
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Posted: Jan 07 2008 at 10:43am \| IP Logged

Repeated washings do not seem to affect them as far as we have seen in a few months of heavy use. Mildew resistance is high. Actually, that is why I bought them in the first place. We had just recently read an article about how they naturally resist mildew much more than cotton towels, and living in a humid southern climate, it seemed like the perfect choice.

Seeing the mention of bamboo socks, they do carry these in the men's department at Target for a very reasonable price. I have also seen bamboo sheets at Target but not the towels.

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Margaret
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