Are Bamboo Towels Absorbent? The Honest Answer

Short answer: Yes, bamboo towels absorb really well when they are washed correctly. Bamboo fibres can take up large amounts of water and dry quickly afterwards. The absorbency does require, though, that you wash new towels through first and stay away from fabric softener.

The honest answer

Bamboo viscose is a highly absorbent fibre, and a good bamboo towel dries your body quickly and effectively. On the other hand, new towels are often treated so they feel soft in the shop, and that can hold back the absorbency at first. After a couple of washes the fibres are open and absorb the way they should. See the selection of bamboo towels.

How to preserve the absorbency

Wash new towels through before first use, and drop the fabric softener completely, because it clogs the fibres. Wash at 40 to 60 degrees according to the care label, and avoid high tumble dryer heat. Follow the advice in our guide to washing and caring for bamboo clothing.

Bonus: quick drying and less odour

Bamboo towels dry faster than thick cotton towels, and because the material slows down bacterial growth, they do not so easily develop the sour, musty smell that damp towels can otherwise get. Read more about soft bamboo textiles for the home in the article on bamboo towels and bedding, and see more products under bamboo home and homewear.

Frequently asked questions

Do bamboo towels absorb as well as cotton?

Yes, and often better. Bamboo fibres take up water quickly and in large amounts, and the towel dries faster afterwards.

Why does my new towel absorb poorly?

New towels can have residue from treatment during production. Wash it through a couple of times and the absorbency will come.

What ruins a towel's absorbency?

First and foremost fabric softener, which leaves a water-repellent film on the fibres. Skip it entirely for towels.