Everything You Need to Know About Beach Towels
The design is usually the top priority for most people shopping for a beach towel. However, you shouldn't pick just any beach towel because it’s stylish. It would be best if you had a towel with the perfect material, size, and absorbency to ensure your comfort on the beach.
If you have trouble finding the right towel, this article is just for you. Let's explore everything you should know about beach towels to help you make the right choice.
Beach Towel Material
Fabric is perhaps the most important thing to look for when judging the quality of a beach towel. All materials have pros and cons, so what you choose ultimately depends on what feels good for you. You may prefer a fluffy towel over a rough one and vice versa.
However, since you will generally use your beach towel to dry yourself off, consider purchasing a towel with highly absorbent material. Such fabric ensures you are dry, and the material does not get wet when you bask in the sun. Thus, when it's time to go home, you do not have to worry about rigorously shaking out sand from your towel.
In this regard, 100% cotton is the best material for beach towels. The fabric has impeccable absorbency and drying abilities and is soft and fluffy. It will feel great on your skin as you dry off. Egyptian and Turkish cotton beach towels present softer and firmer materials that guarantee a great beach experience.
Beach Towel Size
When it comes to beach towels, size does matter. Size is the main difference between a regular towel and a beach towel. When you measure a regular towel against a beach towel, you'll notice that beach towels are generally longer and broader.
The large size of beach towels is meant to accommodate body size when you lay at the beach. Having part of your body hanging out on the hot sand would be a great inconvenience. Your beach towel should cover the height between your head and toes and the width of your body.
However, the size can vary according to your needs. You could consider getting a beach blanket that is much larger if you want to share it with friends, family, or your significant other at the beach. Alternatively, you can carry several beach towels and spread them out next to eachother.
Beach Towel Weight
The beach can be a wild place filled with many rowdy people. Your towel can experience a lot of wear and tear from beach activities. It will get stepped on and exposed to water and salt repetitively without being adequately rinsed. For these reasons, your beach towel not only has to be of suitable material, but it also has to have adequate weight to withstand wear and tear.
The weight of beach towels is typically measured in GSM, which refers to its thread count. The measurement relates to the weight of fabric woven on every square unit of the towel and determines its thickness.
While most towels weigh at least 300 GSM, beach towels should have a GSM ranging from 400-900. However, premium beach towels typically weigh between 600-900 GSM. Consider GSM when buying your next beach towel.
Beach Towel Softness
Checking the towel texture is essential when looking for a beach towel. No one wants a towel that scores against the skin as you dry yourself up. You want a towel that softly caresses your skin. The softness may also be handy when basking in the sun, as the smooth texture offers a comfortable resting area.
The softness of a beach towel is determined by its material. The fluffiest and softest beach towels are usually made of cotton. However, microfiber polyester towels are a viable option if you can’t afford the pricey cotton ones. Alternatively, you can buy both and use them interchangeably.
Sand-Free Beach Towel
While playing with the sand on the beach can be fun, it can be an inconvenience when you want to lie down on your towel. When it is time to leave, you may end up shaking off a lot of sand from it.
To avoid such frustrations, ensure you get a sand-free beach towel. While the beach towel will still accumulate sand particles when lying on the beach, it is easy to shake them off the towel's loopy fibers. It saves you a lot of time and eases cleaning. Most sand-free beach towels are made of microfiber or Turkish cotton.
Beach Towel Designs
While the beach is generally a place to go and have fun, people also seize the opportunity to showcase their fashion sense. Beach towels have various designs meant to complement the environment in which they thrive.
There are several beach towel designs from monochrome, animal, tropical, and graphic prints. You just have to pick one that suits your taste and complements your bathing suit. Take advantage of the bright ocean sun to express yourself through bright, fun colors.
Where To Use Beach Towels
As the name suggests, beach towels are primarily used at the beach to dry yourself up after a swim or playing in the water. You may also use it to shield yourself from the sand as you bask in the sun.
Nonetheless, the uses of a beach towel are not limited to a particular location, as you can use them away from the beach. There is no wrong way to use them. You can use beach towels at home to dry up after a swimming in the pool. Some people also prefer using beach towels to dry off pets after baths due to their high absorption.
Beach Towel Care
Like most of our possessions, beach towels also need to be taken care of by cleaning them regularly and using measures to ensure they remain in good condition.
Nonetheless, you don't’ have to wash your beach towel after every visit. Experts recommend washing your towel at least once a week if using it repetitively. Unless there is a product warning, wash your beach towel using a quality detergent in a warm wash to disinfect it, then rinse it in cold water.
Adding fabric softener to the rinse is essential to enhance the towel’s softness before hanging it to dry.
