Cotton towels have dominated the market for centuries; for good reasons, they are highly absorbent, durable, breathable, and soft. But now enters a new contender for the title, bamboo towels; however, before changing allegiances, ask yourself, are bamboo towels good?
Bamboo towels are good since they are highly absorbent, soft to the touch, low maintenance, eco-friendly, odor resistant, and hypoallergenic. However, it will cost you more than cotton towels, and ensure you buy from a trusted maker.
You deserve cozy, quality towels to wrap yourself in after a refreshing bath or shower. So, let’s find out if bamboo towels are a good choice by checking if they stay soft, examining their pros and cons, and comparing them with others.
Are Bamboo Towels Good? (Bamboo Towels Vs. Cotton Towels!)
When choosing your towels, picking the right material is important since it determines how fast it dries up and its absorbency levels. While there are many choices, such as cotton, bamboo, linen, lyocell, and synthetic fibers, this post compares cotton and bamboo towels.
Cotton Towels
These are towels made from cotton fibers derived from various cotton types, such as Turkish cotton, Pima cotton, and Egyptian cotton. Pima cotton has great strength and durability, while Egyptian cotton has long, luxurious fibers.
On the other hand, Turkish cotton is super absorbent and soft. Cotton towels are generally super soft, absorbent, breathable, and durable.
Cotton is among the most common materials used for making towels because of its ability to absorb moisture quickly and retain its shape and softness even after repeated washings. These towels are typically used for bathing, swimming, and any other activity that requires quick and efficient absorption.
Cotton towels come in various styles, sizes, colors, thicknesses, and weights, ranging from lightweight and quick-drying to plush and luxurious. These towels are naturally gentle and soft, making them highly comfortable, easy to clean, and easily dye-able.
However, they can shed lint and shrink after a couple of washes, take longer to dry, and grow mildew and musty odors if not cared for. Additionally, Cotton towel production consumes a lot of water and uses harmful chemicals, thus negatively impacting the environment.
Bamboo Towels
They are made from bamboo fibers extracted from the plant’s pulp, known for their strength, softness, and ability to absorb moisture. These towels come in various sizes, styles, and types, like bath towels and washcloths.
Moreover, they are typically hypoallergenic and thus suitable for individuals with allergies. They are also antimicrobial and have natural softness and sheen.
Since bamboo is a renewable resource that requires fewer pesticides and water to grow compared to other fiber-generating plants like cotton, bamboo towels are termed eco-friendly.
Bamboo’s eco-friendliness and unique properties have made the popularity of bamboo towels increase tremendously in recent years. While they may not be as widely known as cotton towels, many people are drawn to them for their softness, absorbency, and antimicrobial qualities.
In addition, their popularity is expected to keep increasing as more and more people find them a viable option as the need for sustainable living and reducing their environmental impact rises.
Ariv Premium Bamboo Cotton Bath Towels (View on Amazon) are lint-free, ridiculously soft, lightweight, odor-resistant, absorbent, and soft, making them an excellent choice.
What are The Benefits of Bamboo Towels?
The best towels dry your body and hands delicately and efficiently without requiring many cleans, so the absorption rate of a towel is of utmost importance. In addition, durability and breathability are essential.
So, before buying them, let us examine their benefits to determine whether they are a good fit for your home.
1. Sustainable
Bamboo is among the world’s most sustainable materials. It grows quickly and requires less water compared to other plants, making it an eco-friendly towel option.
Bamboo regrows after harvesting, and its fibers are biodegradable, so they break down without producing harmful toxins.
In addition, they aren’t prone to bacteria growth or any other micro-organisms because they have natural antimicrobial properties. Therefore, you can use your towel for a prolonged period without washing them regularly or growing odors, thus lowering your energy and water usage.
2. Softness
Bamboo towels’ natural fibers are exceptionally fine, giving them a soft, silky texture hence gentle on your skin. For this reason, these towels are renowned for being super soft and luxurious.
Additionally, these towels become even softer with each wash and use. Many people prefer them over traditional cotton towels because of their softness and natural sheen.
3. Absorbency
A bamboo towel can hold water up to three times its weight, making them highly absorbent. The bamboo fibers’ natural properties make them very absorbent and capable of quickly wicking moisture away from your skin.
Therefore, you can dry yourself with a bamboo towel faster than other towel types. Besides drying the skin quickly, bamboo fibers have quick-drying properties, meaning a bamboo towel can dry faster than cotton.
4. Antibacterial
Bamboo has a substance called “bamboo kun,” an antimicrobial agent that helps prevent bacteria and fungi growth. This gives bamboo towels antibacterial properties, making them a more hygienic option than other towel types without natural antimicrobial properties.
In addition, their high absorbency and ability to wick moisture away quickly reduce bacterial growth and other damp environment-loving micro-organisms.
5. Durability
Although bamboo towels are less durable than cotton towels, they still provide good service, with their lifespan prolonged through proper care. The bamboo fibers’ delicate and fine nature makes these towels more susceptible to wear and tear, especially if washed or dried at high temperatures or with harsh detergents.
However, you can prolong their lifespan using mild or eco-friendly detergents, washing with cold water, and avoiding fabric softeners or bleach. Furthermore, line-dry your bamboo towel or set your dryer to low heat.
Avoiding these harsh washing conditions can help prevent pilling, fading, and weakening of the fibers, thus extending the towels’ durability.
6. Shed Resistant
Bamboo towels are less likely to generate lint or shed fiber because bamboo fibers are robust and less prone to shedding or breaking during use and washing. In addition, the manufacturing process usually involves combing the fibers, which removes loose or short fibers that could shed or produce lint.
However, all towels can shed fibers over time with regular use and washing. Fortunately, you can minimize shedding by washing your towels with cold water and avoiding fabric softeners or bleach since it can weaken the fibers and lead to shedding.
What Are The Downsides Of Bamboo Towels?
While bamboo towels have many benefits, they also have some shortcomings. These are:
1. They Are Pricey
Bamboo towels are generally more expensive than cotton towels which is a drawback for many people. The prices are typically about $10 to $50 or even higher per towel, depending on quality and size.
The price is affected by various factors like weight, thread count, and extra design elements or features. In addition, the brand and manufacturing process affects the price.
2. Quality Issues
Not every bamboo towel you buy is of good quality because some come from manufacturers looking to make money easily, thus using low-quality ingredients and shorting the processes. Therefore, if you wish to get the most from bamboo towels, make sure you buy quality products made sustainably.
5. Limited Availability
Although bamboo is a renewable resource, it is not as widely available as other towel-producing resources like cotton. For this reason, bamboo towels have limited availability, and this is also among the reasons they are expensive.
Are Bamboo Towels Better Than Cotton?
Bamboo towels are considered better than cotton towels since they are more absorbent, softer, and resist odor much better. However, cotton towels also have unique qualities, which is why they remain popular.
Below is how bamboo towels and cotton towels compare.
a) Softness
A bamboo towel is softer than a cotton one because the bamboo fibers have a rounder and smoother surface than cotton fibers, making them feel silkier and more luxurious.
b) Absorbency
Both towels have great absorption properties, but bamboo towels are superior in this regard, thus making excellent shower and bath towels.
c) Durability
A bamboo and cotton towel gives your great durability. However, bamboo fibers are stronger and more resilient than cotton fibers, helping them hold up better for much longer.
d) Antimicrobial Properties
Bamboo towels have natural antimicrobial properties that cotton towels do not. These properties make bamboo towels less susceptible to bacteria or odors, which is great for everyone, especially those with sensitive skin or allergies.
e) Environmental Impact
Bamboo is a more sustainable and eco-friendly material compared to cotton, as it grows and thrives with less water, pesticides, and fertilizers. It is also a fast-growing plant that can be harvested without killing the plant, making it a renewable resource.
Do Bamboo Towels Stay Soft?
Bamboo towels are super soft and stay soft even after multiple washes. This is because bamboo fibers are naturally round and smooth, giving them a silky texture that feels gentle against your skin.
Additionally, they are less likely to become stiff or scratchy because bamboo fibers are naturally moisture-wicking and breathable. This helps the towels dry more quickly and prevents bacteria and mold growth that can make your towels musty and rough.
Can You Get 100% Bamboo Towels?
You can find 100% bamboo towels since some manufacturers produce towels made entirely of bamboo fibers. However, most of the ones in the market are made of bamboo fiber and a blend of organic cotton.
This is because spinning bamboo fibers into robust enough yarns to make towels can be challenging. So, blending them with other materials improves their durability and strength.
They are made of 100% bamboo fibers are more costly than those manufactured using bamboo-cotton blends. However, they offer a higher level of softness and absorbency.
Additionally, 100% bamboo towels are usually more environmentally friendly compared to blends. This is because they are made entirely from a renewable resource and do not require other materials.
Final Remarks on Are Bamboo Towels Good?
Bamboo towels should be top of your list when shopping for towels because they offer everything you want from a towel. Wrap your clean body with a super smooth material that is also kind to your skin. However, care for your towels properly to prolong their lifespan.
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