Bamboo towels are quickly becoming a favorite in homes, spas, and hotels. Made from natural bamboo fibers, these towels combine eco-friendly sustainability with luxurious softness. But do they live up to the hype?
In this article, we explain the basics of bamboo towels, highlight their benefits, and compare them against more conventional choices like cotton towels.
What is a Bamboo Towel?
Bamboo towels are made from all-natural bamboo plant fibers. These towels offer a more eco-friendly alternative to traditional cotton towels. Known for their exceptionally soft feel and antimicrobial properties, bamboo towels are quickly becoming one of the most popular body care tools.
Manufacturers use natural dyes for bamboo towels to ensure they retain their eco-friendly status. This results in towels with muted but more natural colors. So you won’t find bright orange bamboo towels from a reputable brand.
Bamboo towels are already hypoallergenic. But with the limited use of chemical dyes, it further increases its appeal to people with sensitive skin.
Currently, the textile industry markets bamboo fabric as one of the more premium materials for towels. Bamboo itself is not a premium material. But the care and time invested in bamboo towels transform it into a luxury product.
What is Viscose from Bamboo?
Viscose is a type of rayon fabric made from dissolving raw bamboo into a chemical solvent. This process converts the rigid cellulose structure into separated bamboo fibers. The name “viscose” comes from the wood pulp solution used in the fabric-making process.
The chemical solution is primarily made from sodium hydroxide, a common ingredient in soap and detergent manufacturing.
Bamboo fabric is not a naturally occurring material. You have to heavily process the raw bamboo to convert it into a usable fabric. Hence, viscose fabric made from bamboo is referred to as a semi-synthetic material.
Types of Bamboo Towels
Bamboo towels are available in different weave options, each with distinct features and texture.
- Flat Weave Bamboo Towels: Thin towels primarily used for drying dishes and cleaning surfaces.
- Waffle Weave Bamboo Towels: Towels with a waffle pattern that are less likely to fray and shed.
- Terry Cloth Weave Bamboo Towels: Standard towels with small raised loops of thread resulting in better absorbency.
- Velour Weave Bamboo Towels: Terry cloth towels with loops cut and brushed to give a softer texture.
7 Amazing Benefits of Using Bamboo Bath Towels
Here are some of the biggest benefits bamboo towels bring to your home and business.
1. Highly Absorbent
Bamboo towels have excellent absorbency. They are on par with cotton towels and, in some conditions, even outperform them. So switching over to bamboo bath towels will not affect your day-to-day towel use.
High absorbency makes bamboo towels an excellent choice for beach and swimming applications.
2. Antimicrobial Properties
Bamboo bath towels are often branded as antimicrobial. Meaning they naturally destroy all bacteria, viruses, and parasites on contact.
Some manufacturers may exaggerate the antibacterial features of bamboo. However, bamboo towels have been proven to be bacteria-resistant. These properties are more pronounced in unprocessed bamboo plants and less effective in bamboo fabric.
Still, bamboo towels are more resistant to germs than cotton or even microfiber alternatives.
3. Hypoallergenic
Hypoallergenic materials are less likely to trigger an allergic response. Bamboo towels are made from all-natural materials and ingredients, resulting in a truly hypoallergenic product.
It is particularly useful for consumers with sensitive skin. Many hotel and resort customers ask for hypoallergenic towels and bed sheets. It’s as good a reason as any for businesses to stock up on bamboo towels.
4. Breathable Material
Breathability means a fabric lets the maximum amount of air pass through it. And bamboo fabrics have excellent breathability.
A more breathable fabric means that the towel will help regulate body heat in the summer. Especially on those beach days. It also means the towel will dry more quickly. Wet towels are a hotbed for bacterial growth. So, breathability indirectly makes bamboo towels more hygienic.
5. Eco-Friendly
Bamboo is an easy-to-grow plant that requires very little effort and matures quickly. Compared to a plant like cotton, it uses a fraction of our natural resources. Bamboo plants use less water, require less manual labor, and need less fertilizer. Making bamboo towels significantly more environmentally friendly than cotton towels.
Both cotton and bamboo make natural and soft bath towels. But only bamboo can deliver on those features by using less water and time.
6. Durable Fabric
Bamboo is a durable plant, and its fibers are more resistant to wear and tear. These excellent properties are transferred over to bamboo towels. They are less likely to fray and lose fibers. One bamboo towel can easily last you up to five years with proper care.
Longevity is one of the biggest benefits of a high-quality towel. A longer life span makes bamboo towels a better choice for hotels and hospitality businesses that want to minimize their overhead costs.
7. Odor Resistance
All of the above benefits of bamboo bath towels work together to resist unwanted odors. The natural materials, antimicrobial properties, and good breathability mean the towel resists smelly bacteria and stays clean for longer.
Bamboo towels are great for regular bathroom use. But they excel at skin care. An odorless, clean-smelling bath towel is a must-have for individuals with sensitive skin.
Bamboo Towels vs Cotton Towels vs Microfiber Towels
Bamboo towels are a high-quality, environmentally friendly alternative to cotton towels. Of course, as an all-natural fabric, bamboo is even better for the environment than microfiber towels, which are made from synthetic materials like polyester.
Let’s compare the properties of these towels and see where their strength lies.
Table 1 – Comparing the different properties of bamboo, cotton, and microfiber towels.
| Properties | Bamboo Towels | Cotton Towels | Microfiber Towels |
|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | Bamboo Plant Fibers | Cotton Plant Fibers | Polyester and Nylon |
| Softness | Very High | High | Medium |
| Absorbency | Very High | Medium | Very High |
| Durability | High | High | Moderate |
| Maintenance | High | Low | Very High |
| Antimicrobial | Yes | No | Yes |
| Hypoallergenic | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Sustainability | Very High | High | Low |
| Cost | Medium-High | Low | Low-Medium |
| Best Applications | Daily bathroom use and sensitive skin care | Bath towels for homes, hotels, and spas | Gym, travel, and quick cleaning tasks |
So let’s break down this table and extract some useful information.
- Microfiber is made from plastic fibers, so it’s infinitely less eco-friendly than cotton and bamboo. Although you can recycle microfiber towels, it’s still not a good choice for eco-conscious buyers.
- Bamboo towels are the kings of softness. They have a light, fluffy texture that gives a luxurious and premium feel.
- Bamboo towels have great durability and a long lifespan. However, that also requires regular care and maintenance. In comparison, cotton towels require zero effort to maintain.
- Although all three towel options are hypoallergenic, many people are allergic to synthetic fibers in microfiber towels.
- When it comes to price, bamboo towels are on the expensive side.
In terms of price, bamboo towels are more expensive than microfiber and cotton towels. However, their various benefits make them a worthwhile investment.
5 Things to Consider When Buying Bamboo Towels
Here are some extra bits of information that everyone needs to know before buying a bamboo towel.
1. Towel Sets and Hand Towels
Considering the higher price and premium marketing of bamboo towels, it makes sense to buy them as a set. A matching bath and hand towel set really upgrades your bathroom aesthetic. If you want a high-quality and luxurious towel, bath sets are the way to go.
Another thing to note is that the cost of a two-piece set is usually more economical than buying individual towels.
2. Bath Towel Options
Bamboo towels are available in different sizes and design options. We recommend picking a terry cloth design for your post-bath use. The larger, more absorbent design results in a warm and cozy feeling.
Additionally, we recommend avoiding bath towels for facial use. The skin on your face is more sensitive, and using the same bath towels for your body and face can cause unwanted side effects. Especially if multiple people use the same bath towel.
Add a small ultra-soft velour bamboo bath towel to your daily routine just for drying your face.
3. Allergy Check
Although it’s very rare, some people can develop an allergic reaction to bamboo. This results in skin irritation and even respiratory issues. You can either consult with an allergen specialist or simply use one for a week to see.
If you are unsure about your allergies, we recommend avoiding bamboo towels for facial care. Start with body care, and if everything is ok, you can go on to daily use.
4. Blends vs 100% Bamboo
100% bamboo towels are softer and more expensive. However, they can be fragile. Manufacturers regularly use bamboo and cotton blends to cut costs while increasing durability. Check for the care tag on towels that displays their materials.
5. Care & Maintenance
Bamboo bath towels require diligent care to ensure a long lifespan. Always use gentle detergents and wash in cold or warm water. Skip fabric softeners and machine drying.
Follow these simple steps, and your bamboo towels will feel brand new even after years of use.
How to Choose Bamboo Towels for Your Home or Professional Use?
Use the following list to determine if bamboo towels are the right choice for you.
- Material Composition: Customers looking for luxury should always choose 100% bamboo composition towels.
- Colors: White is the most eco-friendly choice. It skips the chemical dyeing process for an all-natural aesthetic.
- GSM (Grams per Square Meter): High GSM means the towel is heavier but more absorbent. Low GSM means the towel will dry quickly.
- Size & Use: Bamboo towels are generally available as larger hand and bath towels. For travel or gym applications, we recommend compact microfiber towels.
- Washing: Avoid hot water and heavy detergents when washing bamboo towels. Some manufacturers also advise against tumble drying.
- Pricing: Bamboo towels are more expensive, and often don’t make sense for smaller hotels and resorts.
Conclusion
Bamboo towels are an incredible product. They take the softness of cotton towels and blend it with the antimicrobial properties of microfiber to make one of the best towels on the market. We can also see that not all eco-friendly materials are made equally. Bamboo is by far a more resource-efficient plant. Resulting in a more sustainable product that doesn’t compromise on texture, softness, and quality. We hope this article has provided you with some clarity on bamboo towels.
Get High-Quality Towels from Manywell!
Manywell is a fabric and cleaning products specialist. We have over 17 years of industry experience and a team of highly skilled and trained employees. Our wide range of products includes durable microfiber towels and soft cotton options.
We also offer complete customization on all our products. So you can get the perfect size, colors, and branding for your luxury hotel towel. Elevate your business with premium towels from Manywell.
