What is Terry Cloth?

You’ve already used terry cloth today, even if you didn’t realize it. Step out of the shower, reach for a towel, and there it is. Thick, soft, covered in tiny loops. Those loops are the secret.
They grab water. They hold it. That’s why a terrycloth towel dries you faster than a flat cotton sheet ever could.

Most terry cloth material is made from cotton. Sometimes it’s blended with polyester to make it dry quicker or last longer. But the towels people actually love the ones you find in hotels and spas are almost always 100% terry cotton.

The names change depending on who you ask. Some call it terry toweling, some terry towel fabric. Others just say terrycloth. But they all point to the same thing: a fabric woven with loops that makes life a little easier every single day.

A Short History of Terry Cloth

Long before hotels stacked fluffy white towels in bathrooms, people in Turkey were using hammam towels. These were flat woven cloths, called peshtemals. Thin. Light. Quick to dry. But not soft. Not plush.

In the mid-1800s, weavers in France and England changed that. They figured out how to weave loops into cotton. The fabric became thicker, more absorbent, more comfortable. They called it terry from the French tirer, “to pull.”

Hotels were first to notice. Picture walking into a grand European hotel and being handed a heavy white towel instead of a flat sheet. That one detail changed the experience. Guests felt cared for. From there, terrycloth spread into homes, spas, and eventually gyms and hospitals. And two centuries later, it hasn’t really changed. Cotton. Loops. Absorbent. Reliable.

Why Terry Cloth Stands Out?

Other fabrics can dry you off. Linen. Microfiber. Velour. They all have uses. But terrycloth still wins for most people.

Absorbency: Loops pull in water. Flat cotton can’t match it.

Softness: Good terry cotton feels cushioned and gentle.

Durability: A terrycloth towel can last through hundreds of washes.

Versatility: Towels, robes, bibs, bath mats, the list goes on.

Think about linen. It dries fast, but it feels crisp, not cozy. Microfiber dries even faster, but it feels synthetic. Velour looks plush, but it’s more for show than drying.

Terry sits right in the middle. Soft enough to feel good, tough enough to last, absorbent enough to work. That balance is why hotels stick with it, why families keep buying it, and why spas wrap you in it.

Types of Terry Cloth

Not all terrycloth feels the same. You’ll notice it once you start comparing.

Cotton Terry

The standard. 100% cotton. Soft, natural, absorbent. Found in most homes and almost every hotel bathroom.

Blended Terry

A mix of cotton and polyester. Cheaper, more durable, dries quicker. Not as soft. Popular in gyms, schools, or anywhere towels face rough use.

Terry Toweling

A common UK term. Usually refers to thick woven terry, the kind used in spa robes, hotel bath sheets, and dressing gowns.

Terry Knit

Instead of weaving, the loops are knitted. That makes it stretchier and lighter. You’ll find it in baby clothes, casual wear, and sometimes lighter robes.

Each type has a place. Cotton terry for luxury. Blends for heavy rotation. Terry toweling for comfort. Terry knit for clothing.

Understanding GSM

If you’ve ever shopped for towels, you’ve seen GSM. It means grams per square meter. In plain terms, it measures weight and density.

• 400–500 GSM: Thin. Light. Quick to dry. Great for the gym or travel.
• 500–600 GSM: Balanced. Soft, absorbent, but not too heavy. Perfect for families.
• 600+ GSM: Heavy. Plush. Luxury. Found in spas and premium hotels.
• Higher GSM doesn’t always mean better. A 650 GSM towel feels indulgent but takes ages to dry. A 450 GSM towel dries quickly but won’t feel as thick.
• Hotels often stock 600 GSM white terry towels for guests. They look good, feel good, and last in laundry cycles. Families usually go for 500–550 GSM. Enough comfort, easier to wash and dry.

The trick is to match GSM to your needs. Travel light? Go lower. Want luxury? Go higher.

Where Terry Cloth Shows Up?

• Terry isn’t just for bath towels. You’ll spot it everywhere once you pay attention.
• Bath towels, hand towels, and washcloths in bathrooms.
• Robes in hotels and spas.
• Beach towels, oversized and colorful.
• Sports towels, lighter and quicker drying.
• Baby bibs and burp cloths.
• Even some casual clothing.

Hotels standardize sets. Two bath towels. Two hand towels. Two washcloths. All white terrycloth. Spas extend it with robes and wraps. Families keep a mix heavy bath sheets for comfort, lighter towels for speed.

How to Care for Terry Cloth

A good terrycloth towel can last years, but only if you care for it.

Wash new towels before first use. The loops open up. Absorbency improves.

A.Skip fabric softeners: They coat fibers and stop them from soaking up water.

B.Use warm water: Hot water wears cotton down.

C.Dry on low heat: High heat kills loops.

D.Shake towels before drying: Keeps them fluffy.

Common mistakes? Overloading the washer. Towels need room to rinse. Using too much detergent. Residue makes towels stiff. Mixing them with lint-heavy clothes. That’s how pilling starts.

If your towels feel rough, don’t panic. Wash them with vinegar instead of detergent. It strips buildup and restores softness. Hotels do the same on a bigger scale bleach, bulk washes, strict settings. That’s how they keep white terry fresh after hundreds of uses.

Why Hotels and Spas Still Choose Terry?

Hotels aren’t sentimental about fabric. They pick what works. Terry works.

White towels dominate hotel bathrooms for two reasons. First, bleach keeps them spotless. Second, guests see white as clean. A thick white terry towel says “luxury” even when it isn’t expensive.

Most hotels buy 600 GSM cotton terry. Plush, durable, reliable. Some use blends for gyms or staff areas, but guests almost always get cotton.

Spas take it further: After a massage, sauna, or facial, a thick terry robe isn’t just nice it’s expected. It dries you, warms you, and makes the whole experience feel indulgent.

The market reflects this: The global towel industry is set to hit 20 billion dollars by 2025. In the UK, more than 70% of hotels still order nothing but white terry towels. That’s not nostalgia. It’s practicality.

FAQs

1. Is terry cloth always cotton?

Usually. Some blends add polyester, but cotton terry is the standard.

2. What GSM is best for home use?

Most families do well with 500–600 GSM towels.

3. Why are hotel towels white?

White can be bleached clean. It also makes guests think of freshness.

4. Why do towels lose absorbency?

Detergent and softener coat the loops. A vinegar wash fixes it.

5. Do thicker towels mean better quality?

Not always. Thick towels absorb more but take longer to dry.

6. How do hotels keep towels fluffy?

They avoid softeners, use the right detergent, and dry on low heat.

7. What is terry toweling?

A UK term for thick terrycloth, often used in robes and luxury towels.

8. Is terry eco-friendly?

Cotton is natural, but it uses water and energy. Organic terry cotton is better for the planet.

9. Are terry towels good for travel?

Lighter 400–450 GSM terry towels dry faster and pack smaller.

Final Word

Terry cloth is simple. Cotton. Loops. Absorbency. Yet that design has lasted for nearly two centuries because it works.Hotels keep buying it. Spas keep wrapping guests in it. Families keep stacking it in bathrooms. Whether it’s a light gym towel or a heavy bath sheet, terry cotton gets the job done.

When you shop, think about your needs. Quick drying? Go light. Every day family Use? Go mid-weight. Luxury? Go heavy.
Whatever you pick, terrycloth will do what it’s always done: keep you dry, keep you comfortable, and keep lasting longer than most fabrics in your home.