Bath towel against guest towel, what do you need

Short answer: A bath towel is big enough to dry the whole body, while a guest towel is small and made for hands and face. If you have both in the house, you can use them for their own jobs and avoid letting guests use the same towel as the family.

What a bath towel is for

A bath towel is the biggest towel you use after bathing or swimming, and it can dry the whole body at once. You can look at bamboo towels and choose a size and thickness that suit you and how much space you have to dry them. Think also about whether you want to use it as a large sheet to sit on by the water, since size matters even more then.

What a guest towel is for

A guest towel is small and used for hands and face, typically at the basin in the bathroom or the guest toilet. It is easy to change, and it feels thoughtful to offer guests a clean towel that only they use and not the whole family. Many people feel that it is a small detail that makes guests feel welcome.

Size and thickness

The size decides how well the towel covers, and the thickness how much it absorbs and how long it takes to dry. A big, thick towel can be pleasant after the bath, but takes longer to dry, so choose by your bathroom and your washing routine. Also notice whether it is heavy to carry or hang up to dry, since a big towel gets heavy when wet.

How many you should have

Think about how many in the household need towels and how often you wash. A rule of thumb is at least two bath towels per person, so that you can change, and a couple of guest towels that you can swap out when visitors come. If you often have overnight guests, an extra bath towel for them can be a good idea.

Bamboo as an option

Towels made of bamboo are usually viscose from bamboo and often feel smooth and soft. Read the label to see whether they are pure or a blend, and remember that thickness and weave matter as much as the fibre when you choose for the bath or for guests.

Care and washing

Wash towels by the label, usually a gentle programme, and avoid too much detergent and fabric softener, so that they keep absorbing. Guest towels should be changed more often, since several people use them, and they can be washed with other small items.

Keep them fresh

Hang towels up after use so that they can dry completely, and avoid leaving them folded and damp. A good bathroom with air and a hook for each towel makes everyday life easier and helps them stay fresh for longer. A small trick is to hang them so that they do not touch each other, so that they dry faster.

Small extras to think about

If you need something soft to put on after the bath, you can look at a night T-shirt for men or bamboo footies for men, so that you stay warm when you come out. They are washed by the same simple principles as the towels.

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between a bath and a guest towel?

A bath towel is large and used for the whole body, while a guest towel is small and used for hands and face, typically for guests or at the basin.

How many towels do I need?

Think about the number in the household and how often you wash. A rule of thumb is at least two bath towels per person and a couple of guest towels.

Should guest towels be changed more often?

Yes, they are used by several people and should be changed more often than your own, so that they are always clean and fresh when visitors come.

You can find the full range at Bamboo-Clothing.com.