Most towel information online exists to sell you a towel. Real Towel exists to explain towels. This page sets out exactly how we research, write, and maintain that information, so you can judge how much to trust it.
Who writes Real Towel
Real Towel is written and maintained by an editorial team with a background in textiles and consumer research.
We write under a shared editorial identity rather than individual personal brands because the goal is accuracy and consistency, not personality. Every page is held to the same standard regardless of who drafted it.
Where our information comes from
We build each page from primary and reputable secondary sources, in roughly this order of preference:
- Textile industry standards — definitions and test methods from recognised standards bodies and trade organisations.
- Manufacturer specifications — published GSM, fibre, weave, and care data from towel and fibre producers.
- Material and textile science — peer-reviewed research on fibres, absorbency, and laundering.
- Established reference works — textile encyclopaedias and technical handbooks.
Where a claim can be verified against one of these, it is. Where a topic is genuinely contested or where evidence is thin, we say so rather than inventing certainty.
How we handle facts and figures
We do not publish statistics from memory. Specific numbers (GSM ranges, drying times, wash temperatures, bacterial growth rates) are tied to a named source or presented as general guidance, not precise fact. When a figure is an estimate or a rule of thumb, we label it as one.
If a source is paywalled, outdated, or commercially motivated, we treat its claims with caution and look for independent corroboration.
Accuracy, opinion, and limits
We try to separate three things clearly:
- Verified fact — what the evidence supports.
- Informed judgement — practical recommendations, clearly framed as our view.
- Preference — matters of taste (plush versus light, white versus coloured) where there is no right answer.
Towels are low-stakes, but accuracy still matters. We would rather say "it depends, and here is why" than give a confident answer that is wrong.
Keeping content current
Every article carries a last-updated date. We revise pages when manufacturing practices change, when we find a better source, or when a reader points out something we got wrong. Updating is part of the work, not an afterthought.
Corrections policy
If you spot an error, an outdated figure, or a broken explanation, we want to know. We correct mistakes promptly and, where the change is significant, note that the page has been revised. Accuracy is the whole point of the site, so corrections are welcome rather than resented.
How we approach buying advice
Towel information online is often shaped by what someone is trying to sell. Our buying advice is built the other way round: from how towels actually perform on absorbency, weight, drying, durability and feel, matched to what you need them for. Where there are genuine trade-offs, we name them rather than declaring a single "best" towel.
If you want a starting point, our buying guide and the free Towel Finder give recommendations based on your needs and how you'll use the towel.