Why Do Bath Towels Have Two Sides?

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Why Do Bath Towels Have Two Sides? The question on its own without context seems dumb, and the sarcastic answer would be— most three-dimensional objects have 2 or more sides to them.

The simple answer is that each side of a towel has its function. For example, beach towels have one side that is super absorbent for water, and the other side is less so. That’s necessary to avoid getting sand stuck between the delicate fabric of the main side of the towel when you spread it on the sand.

Contents

13 Reasons why towels have two sides

Multi-colored

There are towels that are designed to have different colors on each side of the surface. The texture may or may not be the same but the colors on each of the opposing sides are usually different. There are people that are into these kinds of designs.

For example, kids’ towels are typically designed this way, with one side having a huge graphic design of their favorite superhero and the other side being designed with another hero, or blank altogether.

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Maximize drying of surfaces

Towels have two sides to maximize drying, when you wipe with one side of the towel and it becomes soggy and wet due to the liquid or fluid you’re cleaning.

You can turn it to the other side and continue drying off the surface if you don’t want to strain the liquid out first. That way you get a lot more done faster, this can be achieved when Towels have two sides.

Functionality

It is considered functional when a towel has two different sides because it maximizes the functionality of the towel in ways.

For example, one part of the towel could be used to wipe wet surfaces while the other could be used on dry surfaces. This way each side has its function and it’s still one towel. Increased functionality, cool right?

Textural difference

If you’re into more than one texture for your towels, towels with a plain side and a fluffy side could be ideal for you.

For example, there are towels where one side is ribbed, which has a rough but soft texture while the other side is plain and well padded which makes it extra fluffy. If you’re into that sort of thing, then you could get a towel with two sides that have individual textural differences.

To wipe different parts of your body

Don’t have a face towel? You could use one side of the towel to wipe your face while you use the other side to wipe your body and other regions.

That way you don’t “cross contaminate”, imagine using one side to wipe your butt after bathing and using the same side on your face.

You can designate each side of your towel for a section of your body if you don’t have multiple towels.

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Helps retain fluffiness

If just one side of the towel is fluffy, it would be nice but imagine how much better it would be if it was double? With the two sides of your towel being fluffy, it increases the softness exponentially and every part of the towel feels great on the body.

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More surface area

With the towel being two-sided, you have more surface area to wipe. You can wipe a wider range of areas with the two sides, if it was one side you may be limited when you’re cleaning. There are several perks to having multiple options, and I think that is something we can all agree on.

Microfiber towel

This type of towel is typically designed this way, it has two sides that serve different purposes. Each side does its unique job, if you mix the functions up it will not be as effective.

For example, if you had to clean a greased surface, one side would be ideal for the task while the other would be better for more fluid substances like water.

Beach towel

Beach towels are designed with two different sides to make them ideal for the beach. Which should be obvious, right? One side is less absorbent and borderline water repellent to ensure it doesn’t soak when you spread it while at the beach.

The other side is soft and fluffy so it feels good on your skin and you can use it to dry off when you go off for a swim in water.

In case of a stain on a side

If your towel gets stained and it doesn’t come out no matter how hard you try. You can either get a new towel or you could keep using the same towel.

If you’re going to keep using the same towel, if it’s upsetting to look at the stained part you could always turn it over to the other side which is still good as new. It would be like the stain never happened, It sounds dumb but it works!

Minimizes pulling

When both sides of a towel are of the same texture, it reduces the risk of pulling. The fibers of the cotton would be more compact and less likely to come undone when an external force is applied to it.

This is one of the reasons why towels have two sides.

Uniformity

There’s just this pleasing aesthetic a uniform-colored and textured towel gives. When the two sides of a towel are the same, it would make it ideal to be a bath towel.

Because all you do with the towel is wipe your body dry whenever you finish showering. And maybe the occasional tying it around your waist as you get dressed.

Reduces shrinkage

Towels have two different sides to help reduce the level to which they shrink if exposed to hot water while washing. Since heat causes shrinkage, making one side less prone to shrinkage also helps the other side withstand the heat. Which reduces the shrinkage level of the towel as a whole.

Frequently asked questions:

Which side of the towel should I use?

You can use whichever side you choose, it’s yours do whatever you want. However, if it’s a different textured-sided towel, then you should follow the manufactures specifications and use it accordingly.

Are both sides of a towel the same?

Not every towel has identical sides, some towels are multi-textured which means one side may be soft and fluffy while the other side may be plain and rough.

Whichever the case may be, when purchasing towels, you should know what you want and what you’re using them for. So you don’t purchase beach towels thinking they’re bath towels. Similar silhouette but is very differently designed.

Can I use a bath towel as a beach towel?

You can but you shouldn’t. Unless you don’t plan on using the towel to wipe your body whenever you bathe anymore, you should avoid using your bath towels as beach towels. Not only because it’s unhygienic but also because it’s the fastest way to ruin your bath towels.

Beach towels are designed with functionality in mind, they have two different sides. One for the wet sand and the other for your body. Most bath towels are the same on both sides, if you spread it on the wet sand, it would end up staining the towel and ruining the texture permanently.

What is a velour towel?

Velour is a French brand that makes different forms of clothing, they also have their custom fabrics made with unique weaving techniques. By definition, a velour towel is a towel made by the velour brand. Simple enough right?

Are velour towels absorbent?

Velour towels are super soft and fluffy. Although there have been reviews that they aren’t the best when it comes to being absorbent.

But they get the job done as far as towels go, and they are super affordable which makes them even better. Need a couple of velour towels? Check these out 2 pack plush velour.