Everything you ever wanted to know about towels

Why is Cotton so widely used in towels?
No other natural fibre can compare to cotton when it comes to absorbency, softness, durability and ease of care. Most towels are made of cotton, but it is the quality of the cotton that makes all the difference the longer the staple, the more prized the thread. Egyptian cotton, with a lustrous, extra long staple, is the basic ingredient of a luxury towel.
How is a towel made?
Unlike sheeting fabric, where the fibres only run in two directions, towelling has a third fibre which forms the pile or loop of the towel which is anchored into the base fabric. During the weaving process, these three threads are combined according to a given pattern. By varying the types of cotton used for each thread type and by changing the weaving pattern it is possible to produce different towels.
How does a towel work?
It is the loops in the towel that do the drying. The number of loops in a towel determines its drying ability. The more loops, the greater the absorbency. Cotton is an ideal fibre for towels as it is absorbent in itself.
How will I know if my towels are absorbent?
The best way to determine absorbency is to tip a small capful of water directly onto the towel. If it disappears into the towel immediately and the towel has an almost dry feel around the region it indicates that the towel has good absorbency characteristics.
How should I care for my towels?
Always wash the new towels before using them to remove any dust or loose fibres and follow the washing instructions on the sew in care label.
Will my towels maintain their whiteness?
Your towels should remain sparkling white with the proper use of good chemicals and by adhering to the correct washing procedures. However, greying can occur through impure water quality and the over use of optical brighteners which can cause colour loss.
Will my towels shrink?
All towels shrink when they are first washed. The extent of the shrinkage is influenced by the sizes of the different yarns used in the towel, the density of the weave, differences in weave pattern from one towel to another and importantly the laundering temperatures used when cleaning the towels.
Will my towel hems unravel or fray?
Our towels are twin needle stitched for maximum durability and shape retention. Side hems are folded over twice and stitched with two rows of stitching rather than one to achieve hems that are neat, flat and extremely secure to withstand the commercial laundering process. However, if the towels are not laundered correctly or rinsed thoroughly hems can fray due to chemical degradation.
Can I trim a pulled thread?
Pulled threads occur when the loops catch on sharp objects. As towels are woven and not knitted, any pulled threads can simply be cut off.
Should coloured towels be vat dyed?
Yes. Vat dyes are more expensive and more processing time is involved to ensure the extreme fastness of colour that is required to withstand the harsher laundering and drying conditions in a commercial environment.
Where are my towels made?
Australian Weaving Mills is the sole towel manufacturer in Australia and our towels are proudly made in Devonport, Tasmania. To ensure we also meet your pricing needs, we do source from China, India and Pakistan for price sensitive items.
Can I have my own branding and label?
Subject to minimum quantity requirements, we can sew your own label into the hem. Another method we can do is to weave you brand into the end hem of the towel.
How long should a towel last?
A towel should last 150 -- 200 washes depending on how the towel has been made and the laundering practices of the hotel. Extraneous factors such as heat (from laundering and drying), chemicals and physical treatment all contribute to the wearing process. However, to ensure your towels have a long and commercial life it all begins with buying a well made towel.