Absorbency describes a towel's ability to soak up and hold water. It's one of the key performance measures for any towel.
What Affects Absorbency
Material
Different fibres absorb differently:
| Material | Absorbency | How It Works |
|---|---|---|
| Cotton | Excellent | Absorbs into hollow fibres |
| Bamboo viscose | Good | Absorbs into regenerated fibres |
| Microfibre | Good* | Holds between fibres (surface tension) |
| Linen | Good | Absorbs into fibres |
| Polyester | Poor | Doesn't absorb, only surface water |
*Microfibre absorbs quickly but works differently - holding water between fibres rather than inside them.
GSM
Higher GSM (more material per area) generally means more absorbency. More fibres = more capacity to hold water.
Construction
Looped terry pile absorbs better than flat weaves or cut pile. The loops increase surface area and create pockets for water.
Condition
New towels may have factory coatings that temporarily reduce absorbency. Fabric softener buildup reduces absorbency over time.
Measuring Absorbency
Absorbency can be measured by:
- Weight gain: How much water a towel holds relative to its dry weight
- Absorption rate: How quickly water is absorbed
- Retention: How much water stays in the towel vs drips out
Quality cotton terry towels can absorb several times their dry weight in water.
Restoring Absorbency
If towels lose absorbency:
- Stop using fabric softener
- Wash at higher temperature
- Strip towels to remove buildup
See: How to Strip Towels
Related Terms
- GSM - Density measure
- Terry cloth - Absorbent construction
- Fabric softener - Absorbency killer