Life

This Type Of Towel Is Actually Way More Hygienic Than Cotton

by Lisa Fogarty

If you've ever covered your post-shower body with a terrible towel — one that can't absorb water and feels like sandpaper on your skin — you know all towels are not created equal. While many of us usually opt for cotton varieties, the best bamboo towels deserve our attention, too.

When it comes to choosing sustainable towels, it doesn't get much better than bamboo. An eco-friendly choice, bamboo stalks can grow 3 to 4 feet per day  — and they release 35 percent more oxygen into the air than other trees.

But more about bamboo towels themselves. The first thing to know about the plant is that it's highly absorbent. When converted to fabric, it wicks moisture away from your body and hair, making it one of the best quick-dry towels imaginable. It's velvety soft and naturally anti-microbial, anti-fungal, and resistant to static. You'll never have to worry about hanging up your towel to dry, only to smell mold or mildew a few hours later.

The only downside is that bamboo towels aren't that thick. So, if you crave a plusher towel, but want the absorbency of bamboo, you can score hybrid option that blends both fabrics to get the best of both worlds.

Below, four highly-rated bamboo towels:

1

A 3-Piece Starter Set Of Bamboo Towels That Are Recommended For Sensitive Skin

Brooklyn Bamboo Bath Towels, $29 (3 Piece Set), Amazon

If you're interested in converting to bamboo towels, but don't want to splurge for an entire 20-piece set just yet, start out with this set of three organic bamboo bath towels, which are thick, hypoallergenic, and feature a subtle jacquard design. Much more absorbent than your standard cotton towel, they dry super fast — no more nasty mildew smells or risk of mold growth. This set comes in grey or off-white and is actually manufactured by a family-run business in Brooklyn.

2

A Set Of 4 Bamboo And Cotton Towels That Are Used In Luxury Hotels

Chakir Turkish Linens Luxury Hotel & Spa Towel, $47 (Set Of 4), Amazon

Maybe the quick-absorbing and antibacterial aspects of bamboo appeal to you, but you're not ready to say goodbye to the fluffiness that cotton provides. If that's the case, this hybrid version is for you. This bath towel set is used at several five-star hotels worldwide and is both velvety soft and highly absorbent, thanks to a combo of 35 percent organic bamboo rayon and 65 percent Turkish cotton. These are the comfy, plush towels you'll look forward to wrapping yourself in after every shower. You'll get four bath towels in this set, but can customize your order to include fewer or more bath towels, hand towels, and wash cloths. Choose from seven colors, including white, green, grey, and blue.

3

An 18-Piece Bamboo And Cotton Towel Set For The Entire Home

Blue Nile Mills 18-Piece Bathroom Towel Set, $96, Amazon

Ready to make the change and embrace bamboo towels for good? Swap out whatever you've got now with this bathroom towel set towel set, which is made from 40 percent bamboo-derived rayon and 60 percent combed cotton. The result is an incredibly soft, absorbent, and germ-resistant towel that's plusher than those that are made from bamboo alone. This set includes six face towels, six hand towels, and six body towels, and it comes in seven vibrant and neutral colors.

4

A Bamboo Hair Towel That Speeds Up Drying Time And Helps To Prevent Split Ends

Texere Women's Bamboo Hair Towel, $14, Amazon

Using an ordinary towel to dry wet hair is a common factor in causing split ends, frizz, and roughened cuticles. But this bamboo hair towel absorbs water extra-fast, reducing the time you'll need to spend drying and styling your hair with a blow dryer. It wraps around your head and stays secure so that you can go about your business and let your hair dry on its own, and since it's made from organically sustainable bamboo, it's resistant to mold and mildew. Plus, it comes in ten colors, including lilac and millennial pink.

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