Over time at ApparelnBags, we’ve worked with different towel manufacturers, fulfilled orders for gyms, hotels, and restaurants, and had plenty of conversations with customers about what types of towels actually work for them, and what doesn’t.
Some gym owners told us their towels looked great at first but took forever to dry during busy hours. A few hotel clients mentioned that softness matters more than anything, because guests notice it immediately. And at restaurants, they would want only the types of towels that can handle daily and rough use.
In this guide, we are breaking down the best types of towels and their uses for different businesses. We will review top types of towels from sweat-absorbing gym towels and high-quality bath towels to durable kitchen towels for restaurants and domestic use. You will also get to know the best type of towel for body and everyday use! So continue reading!
Different Types of Towels and Their Uses
Towels come in many types with each designed for a specific purpose. Read below to learn more about different types of towels and their uses based on our fair recommendations.
Bath Towels
These are the most commonly used towels in hotels, spas, and gyms. They are used for full-body drying and go through frequent washing cycles. When selecting different types of bath towels, most businesses prefer standard commercial sizes like 27” x 52”, 30” x 56”, and sometimes larger sizes for hotels. And, when it comes to fabric when choosing the best types of bath towels, cotton is the most common fabric, especially ring-spun or combed cotton.
Customers in their feedback often praise cotton bath towels for daily use at commercial places. They absorb water quickly and still stay usable after many washes. Hotels usually choose thicker types of bath towel for a more premium feel, while gyms prefer slightly lighter ones for faster drying.
Hand Towels
Made from cotton and cotton blends, hand towels are used in restrooms, salons, kitchens, and reception areas. Customers prefer these kinds of towels in around 16” x 28” or 16” x 30” sizes for daily use. When it comes to fabric, they often prefer types of towels made from cotton and cotton blends.
Overly thick hand towels stay wet longer, especially in busy spaces which is the obvious reason why customers go for lightweight cotton hand towels. They dry faster, feel soft against the skin, and keep their shape even after repeated washing.
Face Towels
Face towels are small towels used for personal care in salons, spas, gyms, and hotels. You will also use these kinds of towels at home. They are used directly on skin, so softness is very important. Standard sizes are 12” x 12” or 13” x 13”.
From customer feedback, soft cotton or bamboo face towels are way better on skin and stay comfortable even after many washes. They are also available in a wide range of colors and shades which you can use based on your individual needs.
Beach Towels
Larger than bath towels, beach towels are good for outdoor use and high moisture areas like pools, resorts, and beaches. They comes in around 30” x 60”, 35” x 70”, or even bigger sizes. Cotton velour, terry cotton, and microfiber blends are common fabric types you will find beach towels in.
Resorts often prefer cotton velour because it feels soft and looks more premium. Travel companies and gyms often choose microfiber ones because they are lighter and dry faster. In real use, quick drying and easy handling are the main requirements for which people usually go for these kinds of towels.
Gym Towels
Gym towels are for frequent use as they absorb sweat quickly. They are used during workouts and need to dry quickly between uses. Common sizes you will find gym towels are 15” x 25”, 16” x 27”, and 22” x 44”.
These kind of towels are specifically made from microfiber and cotton blends. Microfiber works well because it absorbs sweat fast and dries quickly. Cotton blends are used when a more traditional feel is preferred. Gyms prefer lightweight towels because members carry and use them easily and frequently.
Kitchen Towels
Kitchen towels are used in restaurants, cafés, and commercial kitchens for cleaning, wiping, and handling hot items. They are exposed to heavy daily use in commercial kitchens. Common sizes are 15” x 25” or 16” x 26” for these kinds of towels.
Cotton, linen, and cotton-linen blends are common choices when it comes to buying kitchen towels. Linen is widely used because it dries fast and does not hold odor easily. Cotton blends are also popular because they are easy to wash and last a longer.
Hair Towels
Hair towels are used in salons and spas. They are often wrap-style types of towels with sizes like 20” x 40” or 25” x 50”. Microfiber is the most common fabric for hair towels. While hair towels made from bamboo blends are also preferred by customers for their quality and soft feel.
Microfiber hair towels reduce frizz and dry hair faster than regular cotton ones. They are also lightweight and easy to use during busy hours. Whereas customers love bamboo blends when exceptional softness is a priority.
Guest Towels
Guest towels are mainly used for presentation in hotels, offices, and luxurious spaces. They are not meant for heavy use but for creating a clean and neat impression.
These kind of towels stay in guest washrooms or rooms and create a clean and well-finished look even after multiple washes. Hotels usually prefer soft and neatly stitched cotton guest towels that can also be customized with logos and branding details. Custom guest towels help make a strong impression on customers and visitors.
Travel Towels
Travel towels are ideal to grab when travelling. They are used in gyms, outdoor adventures, travel kits, and short to long trips. Microfiber is the most common fabric customers prefer when buying travel towels.
Microfiber travel towels are popular because they fold small, take less space, and dry very quickly. They are easy to carry and reuse during travel or workouts.
Baby Towels
As the name implies, baby towels are made pretty soft and for sensitive skin. Common sizes are 20” x 30” or square hooded kind of towels around the same range. Organic cotton and bamboo blends are what customers usually opt for when buying baby towels since they are soft on skin and do not cause skin allergies.
They also stay soft after repeated use and multiple washing cycles. You will find them in various neutral and soft shades like pink, blue, grey, white, beige, and other lighter tones that feel softer on the skin.
Types of Towels by Fabric
Fabric plays a major role in towel performance. Cotton remains the most widely used fabric, but microfiber, bamboo, and linen all serve different purposes. The right fabric choice depends on how often the towel is used, how fast it needs to dry, and the kind of experience the business wants to deliver to customers.
Cotton Towels
Cotton towels are the most common across all industries. They are soft, absorbent, and easy to maintain. Hotels and spas prefer cotton because it gives a comfortable feel and maintain its shape, size, and color after repeated washing.
Microfiber Towels
Microfiber towels absorb moisture quickly and dry much faster than cotton. Gyms, travel agencies, and cleaning services prefer microfiber because it is lightweight and easy to handle during repeated use throughout the day.
Bamboo Towels
Bamboo towels are soft and naturally gentle on skin. Brands or small businesses mainly opt for these kinds of towels for their promotional outdoor and sports campaigns as they are eco-friendly and leave a positive impression on audience. Spas, baby care brands, and wellness centers also use bamboo towels because they feel smooth and stay fresh after washing.
Linen Towels
Linen towels are durable and functional as they dry fast. These types of towels also handle heavy washing cycles very well. Restaurants and commercial kitchens use linen towels because they stay durable and do not hold odor easily, even with frequent use.
Comparison Table: Types of Towels
| Towel Type | Common Use | Typical Size | Best Fabric Options | Key Benefit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bath Towels | Full body drying | 27” x 52”+ | Cotton, cotton blends | High absorbency and comfort |
| Hand Towels | Hand drying (restrooms) | 16” x 28” | Cotton, cotton blends | Quick drying and frequent use |
| Face Towels | Skincare, personal use | 12” x 12” | Cotton, bamboo | Soft and gentle on skin |
| Beach Towels | Pool, beach, outdoor use | 30” x 60”+ | Cotton, microfiber | Large size and quick drying |
| Gym Towels | Workouts, exercises | 15” x 25” | Microfiber, cotton blends | Lightweight and fast drying |
| Kitchen Towels | Cleaning, wiping surfaces | 15” x 25” | Cotton, linen | Durable and lint-free |
| Hair Towels | Hair drying | 20” x 40” | Microfiber, bamboo | Reduces drying time and frizz |
| Guest Towels | Presentation, custom use | 11” x 18” | Cotton | Luxurious and premium look |
| Travel Towels | Travel, outdoor use | Varies | Microfiber | Compact and easy to carry |
| Baby Towels | Infant care | 20” x 30” | Cotton, bamboo | Soft and safe for sensitive skin |
How to Choose the Right Types of Towel?
Towels vary based on how and where you will use them. Hotels usually need soft and lighter kind of towels for a better guest experience. While gyms prefer breathable options that dry quickly and does not cause any allergies to the skin.
Fabric also makes a difference when it comes to buying different kinds of towels. For instance, cotton provide optimal comfort. Microfiber is best for quick drying. And, linen is ideal for repeated use. We recommend you to get lighter towels that are easier to use, wash, and maintain in busy settings. In addition to that, don’t forget to check towels by their size as it also plays a major role in how and where you will use towels.
