Are Bamboo Towels Absorbent? The Honest Answer
Short answer: Yes, bamboo towels absorb well, but no better than a good cotton towel of the same weight. The difference lies elsewhere: they feel softer against the skin and dry faster between uses, and that is why most people stay with them.
What decides absorbency
Absorbency is decided mostly by weight and by how many loops there are per square centimetre, and only after that by the fibre. A heavy towel absorbs more than a light one, whether cotton or bamboo viscose, and that is the number to look at.
Where bamboo is better
Bamboo viscose has a smoother fibre than cotton, which is why the towel feels softer against the skin. It also dries out faster again, because the moisture spreads through the whole fabric instead of gathering where you dried yourself.
Where cotton is better
Heavy cotton terry can take up slightly more water per gram than bamboo, and it takes more boil washes. If the towel is to be washed at 60 degrees weekly for years, cotton is still the more robust of the two.
The honest answer
For an ordinary bath you will not notice a difference in absorbency. You notice a difference in softness and in how quickly the towel is dry again the next morning. Those are the two things people describe when they switch.
The weight to look for
500 to 600 grams per square metre is what works for a bath towel. Under 400 grams it becomes a travel towel, and over 700 grams it gets heavy to wash and takes too long to dry in an ordinary bathroom.
New towels absorb poorly
All new towels absorb poorly the first few times, because there are production residues in the fibres. Wash them twice before judging them. That applies to bamboo and cotton alike and has nothing to do with quality.
Fabric softener ruins it
A towel that suddenly stops absorbing has usually had fabric softener. The film around the fibres pushes the water away. It can be partly washed out again with a vinegar wash, but it is easier to leave it out from the start.
Size matters too
A towel that is too small is soaked through quickly, and then it feels as though it does not absorb. A bath towel of 70x140 centimetres is what most adults need, and a guest towel is not meant for a whole bath.
See the range
Weights and sizes are under bamboo towels, and the rest of the soft things for the home sit under home and homewear in bamboo, if bathroom and bedroom are to match in the same material. See also washing and caring for bamboo clothing and bamboo towels and bedding.
Frequently asked questions
Do bamboo towels absorb better than cotton?
No, not at the same weight. They feel softer and dry faster between uses, but the absorbency is the same.
Which weight should I choose?
500 to 600 grams per square metre for a bath towel. Under 400 grams is a travel towel, over 700 grams gets unwieldy.
Why has my towel suddenly stopped absorbing?
Usually fabric softener. The film around the fibres pushes the water away and can only partly be washed out with vinegar.
