Cotton vs. Bamboo vs. Microfiber: What Makes the Best ...

When purchasing bath towels, what qualities are most important to you? Absorbency...Durability...Comfort? The market is filled with unique options, some of the most popular being cotton, bamboo, and microfiber. Each has its advantages and disadvantages - but which material is right for you?

If you want to learn more, please visit our website best microfiber bath towel.

We asked ourselves the same question when choosing a material for our towels. With the help of expert, American-based manufacturers and weavers, we&#;ve figured out what is the best material to get that spa-quality towel.

Cotton Bath Towels

There's a reason so many luxury hotels use cotton towels. They are incredibly soft and absorbent, a perfect combo to keep in your bathroom year-round! Cotton towels are also very durable, making them an ideal choice for daily use.

Cotton towels are also easy to care for. They can be machine washed and dried. It&#;s important to keep in mind that their excellent absorbency does give cotton towels a slower drying time. This can leave your towels more susceptible to mildew and mold. Their high absorbency also makes them susceptible to staining. But, with the proper care, cotton towels are a great, high-quality addition to your home.

 

Cotton Pros

Cotton Cons 

• More Durable
• Very Soft
• Super Absorbent
• Easy to Wash
• US-Grown*

*Not all cotton is grown in the USA. However, the USA is the 3rd largest supplier of cotton in the world. This towel is 100% Seed-to-Stitch® Made in USA.

• Slower Drying Time
• Heavier
• Stains Easier

Bamboo Bath Towels

Looking for something more natural? Bamboo bath towels may be the option for you! Bamboo is a sustainable material, as it grows quickly and abundantly, and only needs 1/3 of the water that it takes to grow cotton. Those with sensitive skin can also appreciate their hypoallergenic qualities.

However, processing bamboo bath towels is not as environmentally friendly. The process of turning fibers into towels requires a lot of chemicals. And once in your hands, bamboo bath towels may continue to cause issues. Unlike cotton towels, bamboo bath towels require special care to keep them durable. They can also be rather expensive. If you&#;re willing to spend a little extra on price and upkeep, then these towels are worth a try.

 

Bamboo Pros

Bamboo Cons 

• Sustainable Material
• Hypoallergenic
• Very Soft

• Chemical Intensive
• Hard to Clean
• Expensive
• Not Durable
• Not US-Sourced

Microfiber Bath Towels

Microfiber bath towels are an excellent choice if you&#;re looking for something absorbent. Their lightweight quality makes them quick-drying and easy to clean.

However, if comfort is your top priority, then microfiber bath towels may not be the best option. Because they&#;re made of synthetic materials (such as polyester and nylon), they are also not as environmentally friendly as their cotton and bamboo alternatives. But if you&#;re looking for something low maintenance, you can rely on microfiber bath towels to get you dried off!

 

Microfiber Pros

Microfiber Cons 

• Absorbs Well
• Lightweight
• Dries Quick
• Easy to Clean

• Uncomfortable
• Synthetic
• Not Eco-Friendly
• Not US-Sourced

So, what do we recommend?

After weighing all of the options, we&#;ve found that cotton is the best all-around material for bath towels. Cotton bath towels have a durability, softness, and absorbency that just can&#;t be beat. If you're looking for the best cotton towel on the market, check out our premium, spa quality Essential Cotton Bath Towels. They're 100% cotton, 100% made in the USA, and 100% for you!

We are also committed to creating a cleaner Earth and want to create mindful products. Cotton is a natural-grown plant that is an eco-friendly choice (unlike microfiber towels) and makes a towel that's easy to upkeep (unlike bamboo towels).

When you buy an Authenticity50 Essential Cotton Towel, you know exactly where your cotton is coming from. Unlike other cotton, bamboo, and microfiber towel manufacturers, all of our bath towels are made in the USA, negating the need for container ships that are nasty for the environment. We guarantee that your new towels have traveled less miles than any other towel on the market.

So, the next time you&#;re drying off after a bath or shower, we&#;d recommend giving our Essential Cotton Towels a try! Transform your bathroom with this spa-like staple with our free and fast US shipping.

"I received these as a gift and they are next level! Once you use these towels you can't go back. They're better than any 5 star hotel. They're thick, plush, absorbent and super luxurious. Your old towels feel wimpy after using these!"
-Ali L.

 

Want to learn more about how to choose the right bath towels for your home?

Check out our tips on how to find the best bath towels!

Microfiber and cotton towels both see significant use in businesses, although cotton towels are by far the more common of the two options. Cotton tends to be a good general option for towels in the workplace, while microfiber is more specialized. Microfiber is useful because it is hypoallergenic and less likely to damage sensitive material like glass or electronics. Experts use both microfiber and cotton towels, depending on the job in question.

Cotton Towels

Cotton towels are likely the most common type of towel in use, both for businesses and in homes. 

Advantages of Cotton Towels

Cotton towels have a number of advantages worth highlighting. First, they are fairly inexpensive and more durable than microfiber towels, meaning they will be replaced less often. They&#;re also fairly hassle-free, with cotton towels being easy to wash and dry. With even mild caution, one is unlikely to accidentally ruin cotton towels. 

Want more information on wholesale microfiber material? Feel free to contact us.

Additional reading:
The Surprising Advantages of Investing in a Microfiber Cloth: What You Need to Know About Microfiber Cloth Price!
Benefits of Face Towels for a Healthy Skin
Glass Towels: Top Tips to Achieve Streak-Free Windows
How Does a Glass Towel Work?
How Do Microfiber Suede Towels Offer Advantages?
Key Questions to Ask When Choosing a Microfiber Cloth
Magnificent Microfiber: Is it Right for You?

Cotton towels are also both absorbent and comfortable. This makes them a great choice in a variety of use cases.

Washing

Cotton isn&#;t especially difficult to wash and dry. Some good general advice to follow when washing cotton towels includes making sure not to overload the washer and avoiding excessive use of detergent. Dark-colored towels should be kept separated from light-colored articles in the wash, as should any other towel that notes you should separate it on its tag. Most often, you can simply wash cotton towels in warm water on regular washing settings.

Drying cotton towels is similarly easy. Put them in the dryer on tumble dry with medium heat. Experts recommend avoiding line drying, as it can cause the towels to stiffen and potentially become scratchy.

Ecological Footprint

Cotton is fairly durable and thus doesn&#;t need to be frequently replaced. It is also plant-based and widely available. 

However, the process of turning raw cotton into towels (or anything else) is admittedly not completely without ecological footprint. Cotton does use pesticides to grow, and the process uses water. Organic cotton uses less of both, but it also less widely available and tends to be more expensive.

Microfiber Towels

Microfiber towels are towels that use materials such as nylon or polyester, which allow a towel to be both lightweight and highly absorbent. 

Advantages of Microfiber Towels

One big advantage of microfiber towels is that they&#;re hypoallergenic. If a business will be dealing with employees or customers with sensitive skin, having these towels as a secondary option (if not a primary one) is generally a good idea. These towels also dry quicker than cotton towels. 

While cotton towels are also absorbent, microfiber is designed such that it can absorb up to seven times its weight in water. Microfiber is also extremely fine and can be an excellent choice of towel when cleaning potentially sensitive items, like electronics or glass.

Washing

One of the downsides of microfiber is that it is somewhat fragile in the wash. It is often recommended to hand wash microfiber towels when they aren&#;t very dirty, saving the washing machine for when the towels have seen heavy use.

When washing, avoid heavy amounts of detergent. Avoid fabric conditioners and fragrances, fabric softeners, and harsh soaps. Microfiber is best cleaned with gentle detergent. Wash in cold or warm water, not hot. If there is an odor that is difficult to get rid of, add white vinegar to the wash to help remove it.

Microfiber towels should be air dried on a flat surface or drying line. If you dry them in a machine, dry them separately and without dryer sheets or dryer balls. Use low heat to avoid damaging the towels.

Ecological Footprint

Microfiber is less ecologically-friendly than cotton, as it is made of synthetic materials that don&#;t degrade quickly when disposed of. It is also less durable than cotton, meaning you will be replacing microfiber towels more often. 

Which Option Is Better?

Neither cotton or microfiber is so superior to the other that it is the best in all use cases. However, many businesses opt for cotton due to its cost, durability, and comparably low ecological footprint. It is a solid general use option and one that is popular for a reason.

However, microfiber has distinct advantages for certain use cases. The fact that it is hypoallergenic means any business will want them as an option for guests or customers who may be unable to use cotton towels. 

Microfiber should also be used on anything sensitive to damage. While cotton isn&#;t especially rough to the touch, it does still have the potential to damage certain types of materials, so microfiber is preferred in these cases.

Let Alsco Manage Your Towel Needs

Simplify the process of ensuring your business always has clean, quality towels on hand by working with us here at Alsco. From plush hospitality towels to hygienically clean medical utility towels, we can maintain your towels. We&#;ll ensure you always have a ready supply of what they need, as we&#;ll take away your dirty towels and replace them with fresh towels on a regular schedule. 

Linen rental services are more convenient than managing your linens yourself, so you can free up your time to focus on more important aspects of your business. Renting towels can also potentially cut costs since you don&#;t have to worry about the cost of towel replacements. When a towel is torn, frayed, or stained, we simply replace it with a fresh towel. 

Call Alsco today to learn about how we can simplify your linen management. We can discuss your needs and determine the best towel choice for your business.

References

Cotton Towels. (May ). Medium.

How to Choose the Best Materials for Your Bath Towels - A Comprehensive Guide. (April ). OnlineClothingStudy.com.

Before you wash your clothes. Cotton Incorporated. 

How to Wash Your Towels the Right Way. (February ).  Martha Stewart.

Linen vs. Cotton: Which Is Greener? (June ). Treehugger.

How to Wash and Dry Microfiber Towels. Maytag.

The company is the world’s best microfiber sport towels supplier. We are your one-stop shop for all needs. Our staff are highly-specialized and will help you find the product you need.