Terry cloth – our guide for the hotel industry
Terry cloth or terry towel?
The terms terry cloth and terry towel are often used interchangeably. However, there are a few differences between terry towel and terry cloth:
What is terry cloth? Terry cloth is a normal fabric whose yarn already contains loops. These are created by twisting together yarns of different lengths. The fabric therefore consists of two yarns: a warp thread and a weft thread. The most common terry cloth material is cotton.
What is terry towel? Terry towel is woven from three yarns. One yarn, known as the pile yarn, forms the loops. The special weave of the tightly woven two-chain fabric and the additional loose pile yarn create a stable and densely woven terry cloth fabric. It is many times more absorbent than normal terry cloth fabric. Due to the special weave, the production of terry towel is more complex, but this makes terry towel products softer, more absorbent, and more durable. For this reason, our LUSINI brand ERWIN M. range exclusively features terry towel products.
An overview of the best terry towel materials
When purchasing terry towel products, it is essential to pay attention to the materials used. These are crucial for the softness and durability of your products. LUSINI uses the following terry towel materials:
100% cotton terry towel
Cotton is the classic material for terry towel. There are many reasons for this: cotton is tear-resistant and highly absorbent, making it ideal for terry towel. The higher the quality of the cotton used, the better the properties of the resulting shower, bath, or hand towel, or bathrobe. For ERWIN M. terry towel products, we therefore only use base fabrics made from long-staple cotton fibers. These are more durable than short-staple fibers and ensure a dense fabric, which is the basis for our high-quality terry towel products.
Terry towel made from regenerated fibers
In addition to cotton, regenerated fibers such as viscose, Lyocell, and Tencel are also frequently used in the manufacture of terry towel products. Regenerated fibers are fibers made from regenerated cellulose. The cellulose is liquefied using certain chemicals and then sprayed through narrow nozzles. This creates the desired fiber, which is then further processed. Regenerated fibers are neither chemical nor natural fibers. Although the cellulose itself is obtained from natural materials such as beech, pine, eucalyptus, or bamboo, it is then chemically treated.
Terry towel products made from viscose and Lyocell
Viscose and Lyocell have a similar manufacturing process, as both materials are made from cellulose-based fabrics. In comparison, Lyocell is considered the more modern and sustainable fiber, as particularly gentle chemicals are used in its production. Both viscose and Lyocell are perfect for making terry towel, as the fibers are pleasantly soft on the skin and highly absorbent at the same time. Discover our Motion terry towel series with viscose content now!
Terry towel made from bamboo viscose
The absorbency of terry towel made from bamboo viscose is up to four times higher than that of conventional viscose. In addition, bamboo is naturally antibacterial thanks to an antimicrobial substance (bamboo kun). This substance protects the bamboo plant from bacteria and fungal infestation. Bamboo viscose terry towel is therefore particularly hygienic. Further advantages of bamboo viscose: it is antistatic, has a silky sheen, regulates temperatures naturally, and reduces unpleasant body odors. Discover our Balance terry towel series with 40% viscose made from bamboo fiber now!
Terry toweling made from Tencel
Tencel is made from eucalyptus wood. The material is tear-resistant, hypoallergenic, and can absorb a lot of moisture. Tencel is also resistant to mites and bacteria and is particularly sustainable, as eucalyptus grows quickly and requires little water compared to other types of wood. Discover our Bonaire terry towel series now, made with sustainably produced Tencel yarns from Lenzing!
What is a hammam towel?
A hammam towel is a special terry towel that has a flat weave on one side and the same loops as normal terry towel on the other. In addition, a typical hammam towel always has fringes at both ends. The towel originally comes from Turkey, where it is used in bathhouses for traditional hammam treatments: men use it as a loincloth and women as body-covering swimwear. A hammam towel dries very quickly and can be used in many ways. The towel is often used as a wrap, sauna towel, massage blanket, beach towel, and, of course, as a hand towel. Its lightness makes it ideal for the sauna or wellness area. Are you looking for the right terry products for your hotel? Get an overview of all standard towel sizes now and find the right models for your needs.
Different types of terry towel
Terry towel can be woven in different ways. Depending on the weaving technique, the types of terry towel differ in appearance and feel:
Single-ply terry towel is very fluffy. The loose loops, i.e. the pile, consist of soft single yarns. These make the cloth very soft and cozy.
2-pyl terry is very durable. The looped threads are twisted, making them more robust. This makes the towel more durable and provides a gentle massaging effect when drying. Since a twisted thread consists of two twisted single yarns, this fabric has a slightly higher absorbency compared to a single loop.
Velour terry has a soft and velvety surface. This effect is created by shaving or cutting the pile.
What are the characteristics of good terry cloth?
The production of good terry cloth begins with the selection of the right yarns. Our base fabric always consists of high-quality, long-staple ring-spun yarns. These are highly durable and therefore have a long service life. Only a few thread pulls should be visible in the pile. These are loops that come loose from the fabric. Pulled threads are never completely avoidable in production and can therefore also occur in high-quality terry cloth. To ensure that you receive a long-lasting and dimensionally stable towel, ERWIN M. towels are always hemmed with a double seam. In addition, we use hemming machines. This ensures that the hems on all towels are always straight.
Our tip:
Simply cut off any loose threads with scissors! This will not damage the base fabric of the cloth or affect its durability.
Fluffiness
The fluffiness of terry towel products is defined by the quality and type of yarn and the weight. At ERWIN M., we only use high-quality yarns made from cotton, super-soft viscose, or polyester. The weight is determined by the number and height of the loops. The heavier the terry towel, the fluffier and more absorbent it is.
Particularly fluffy terry towel series at LUSINI:
Durability
The durability of towels and other terry products depends on several factors. The yarns used in the base fabric and in the loops of the pile, as well as the seam finish of the towel, play a decisive role here.
These terry towel series are particularly durable:
Absorbency
The absorbency of terry cloth is determined by its weight on the one hand, but also by the absorbency of the yarns used. Twisted terry cloth, which consists of twisted yarns in the pile, is particularly absorbent. Linen and cellulose fibers such as viscose and lyocell also have excellent absorbency.
Extra-absorbent terry towel series from our range:
Cleaning and care
In hotels in particular, hand towels, shower towels, and sauna towels have to meet high standards due to frequent washing. If terry towels are used in hotels, they must not only be particularly durable, retain their shape and color, but also be easy to clean hygienically and retain their colors for a long time. How easy a towel is to care for is influenced by the height and number of loops as well as the yarn quality. The basic rule is: the heavier and more voluminous the product, the higher the energy costs and the time required for cleaning in the washing machine and dryer.
These terry towel series are particularly easy to care for:
Washing terry towel correctly
Terry cloth items such as towels and bathrobes are washed very frequently, especially in hotels. It is therefore important that they are chlorine-resistant and can withstand temperatures of 60°C or 95°C in the washing machine. By washing them carefully and following a few tips, you can help to extend the life of your terry towel items.
1. Washing: With today's detergents, 99.9 % of all bacteria are killed at a washing temperature of 60°C. So protect your product and the environment by using lower temperatures when washing.
2. Detergent: When washing colored terry towel, you should avoid using heavy-duty detergents. These often contain brighteners or bleaching agents that make white laundry shine. However, colored terry towel can quickly lose its luster due to this effect. Therefore, you should always use a mild detergent for colored terry towel..
3. Fabric softener: Never use fabric softener when washing terry towel. It forms a film over the pile, reducing its absorbency. Overall, it impairs the properties of the cotton and promotes lint formation. Instead of fabric softener, use regular table vinegar. It is sustainable, environmentally friendly, inexpensive, and removes limescale from textiles.
4. Drying: It is best to put your terry towel in the dryer to dry. The warm, circulating air in the dryer loosens the fabric fibers of the terry towel, making it nice and fluffy and soft again.
Buy terry towels at LUSINI
Discover our wide range of high-quality terry towels in the LUSINI range now! All terry towels from the LUSINI brand ERWIN M. are produced in compliance with the Oeko-Tex Standard 100. Oeko-Tex is an independent testing and certification system for textiles and ensures that they are free of harmful substances such as azo dyes, pentachlorophenol, cadmium, or lead (US CPSIA). Regular tests and audits are carried out to guarantee this. Find your ideal shower towels, hand towels, terry towel series, bathrobes, bath mats and much more!