What is the difference between Turkish towels and luxury towels?

You may have heard about Turkish towels, maybe you've seen them all over social media or while out shopping. But what makes them so unique and special? Is the hype worth it? Will these towels really be the game-changer you've been looking for?

Let's dive in and talk about some of the main attributes that set Turkish towels apart from their fluffy, plush terrycloth counterparts!

Advantages of Turkish Towels

1. Incredibly absorbent

You may have the misconception that the thicker and fluffier the towel, the more absorbent it is. However, Turkish towels are known for their incredible absorbency, and will wick away water quickly and effectively, leaving your skin smooth, soft, and super dry!

Also, the more you use them and wash them, the more absorbent and soft they will become!  So use them often and break them in!

2. Durable, lightweight design

Traditional Turkish cotton towels are made from long, strong, smooth, tightly woven fibers, making them thin and lightweight and one of the most durable towel choices. They not only keep their integrity even after many washes, but they're also very quick to dry thanks to their thin pile.

Due to their lightweight design, Turkish towels are great for the beach, pool, or gym, as they easily fold up and fit into your bag! They are also great if you travel and like to bring your towels with you. They will take up less space in your luggage, and leave more room for important things, like shoes. 

3. Quick drying

This is another amazing benefit of using Turkish towels. Because they are super thin they dry extremely fast.

This might seem counterintuitive, as the towels are so absorbent and take in so much water, you might think that they would hold onto that water and it would take forever to dry. But this is not the case! And as I mentioned, this makes them ideal for traveling, exercise, and outdoor living.

4. Fun, colorful designs

Turkish towels come in so many different patterns and colors! I love them in my bathroom, hanging on hooks, because they are so gorgeous on their own, they double as decor for the space as well (to be honest, that is how I started using Turkish towels myself!)

If you are planning to use them for your family vacations, or at the pool, you can mix it up with colors and patterns to allow everyone's personalities to shine!!

5. Eco friendly

When we think about any items being eco-friendly we must consider what it’s made from, what is involved to care for the item, and also how long it lasts / the potential for reuse.

Many Turkish towels are made from sustainable cotton and do not contain toxic or hazardous chemicals. Look on the packaging or description to make sure the cotton used to make the towel is OEKO Tex Standard 100 certified.

In terms of caring for Turkish towels, because they dry so fast you actually need to wash them less. Also, be sure you do not use fabric softener when washing your Turkish towel. With this in mind caring for Turkish towels vs regular towels is much more eco-friendly. If you care for your towels in the right way they really could last a lifetime!

Even if you get to the point where you’d like to replace your towels, because of all the advantages they make great DIY or crafting towels or even scarves and shawls! The likelihood is that they will never make it to landfill.

Disadvantages of Turkish Towels

1. More expensive

While there are some cheaper versions of Turkish Towels out there, for the most part, you will spend a bit more money for your Turkish towels than you will for a plush towel. 

When considering the durability, longevity, and versatility of these towels, you will definitely get what you are paying for! So weigh the pros and cons when making your decision, and see what fits best within your budget. 

2. You may not love fringe

In general, most Turkish towels have fringe along the short edge of the towel. I love this detail but understand not everyone has the same tastes. This is truly more of a personal design choice but can turn into a con for some.

3. Not as fluffy as "regular" towels

If you're like my husband, you may not be able to get over the feel of a Turkish towel vs. the fluffy plush feel of a regular towel on your body! He just doesn't love the feel of it and mentally thinks it is not working.

It’s true – Turkish towels just aren’t as fluffy or soft as regular luxury towels. This is due to the manufacturing process each towel goes through which produces a tightly woven finish.

So, if you love to wrap yourself up in a soft, fluffy towel as you come out of your relaxing bath then you may want to skip these towels. However, if your main goal each day is to get in and out of the shower as quickly as possible then perhaps fluffiness is not the main priority.

If you are not ready to use these towels for drying your body when coming out of the shower, you can always start by using them as hand towels! Hang them on a decorative hook next to your sink so they are easy to grab when drying your hands or after you wash your face!

4. Strict care instructions comparatively

There are a few main things to think about when caring for your Turkish towels! Be sure not to use a fabric softener so that you keep the towels' absorbent properties intact. So if you love to put fabric softener on everything, and don't want to have to wash these separately, they aren't for you. 

5. Can shrink after the first wash

This is more of a tip than a disadvantage. 

It’s quite common that Turkish towels will shrink slightly after their first wash. Now I’m not talking about anything substantial, and to be honest, after washing your towels for the first time you may not even be able to see a difference. However, this is a good point to know!

If you’ve been thinking of trying out Turkish towels, I hope you’ve found this helpful! We are always sharing more over on our Instagram, so follow along at @wilde.home.decor for more tips and tricks to help you get WILDE with your home!