Soft, snuggly towels can transform an everyday activity into a pleasure. Here, we wrap up the latest options.

As far as daily luxuries go, nothing beats wrapping yourself in a soft towel after a shower or swim. Buying towels can be tricky though, because something that may feel lovely and velvety in the shop can feel decidedly different after the first wash.

David Goudie, Sales & Marketing Director at Terry Rich Australia, says the reason for this difference is that some towels are chemically treated and have fabric softener applied in the factory so they feel great in the store. "After two or three washes, the towel will feel completely different," says Tom Adair, Creative Director at Abode Living.

Good-quality towels retain their feel and shape for years - 'you get what you pay for' is certainly true when it comes to towels. Joanna Ross, Design Manager for Homewares at Country Road says checking the finish and the surface fibre will give you a clue to the quality. "A cheap towel will often have a telltale loose fibre that will turn into a pilling nightmare when washed or quickly become threadbare," she says.

Choices, choices

Luis Albornoz, Online & Marketing Manager for Adairs says there are many things to consider before buying - such as size, softness and colour. "Think about how the colour will work in your bathroom and whether you can use the towels to create drama," he says.

Albornoz believes softness isn't everything: "Many people prefer a soft, fluffy towel, but others feel that only a 'scratchy' towel will dry them," he says. Size, too, is a matter of preference. Bath sheets are great for completely wrapping yourself in, but smaller towels are easier to manoeuvre and dry.

There are plenty of different materials to choose from, such as cotton (regular, Egyptian, and organic), hemp, bamboo, and linen. Each has its merits: linen has a slightly scratchier feel but exfoliates as you dry; Egyptian cotton is strong; bamboo is soft and ultra absorbent.

All about cotton

The two most important things to look for when buying cotton towels are the gsm (grams per square metre) and the grade of yarn used. Thick towels have a higher gsm, usually around 600gsm. "A quality grade of cotton is important for long-term performance. Most beach towels are made from a standard-grade cotton called carded yarn. The grade up from this - combed yarn - won't lint as much, plus is softer and more durable," says Goudie.

On trend

Ross says that towels are following other homewares in a move towards more classic and authentic styling. At the other end of the scale, there is a trend for confident colour as people use towels to personalise their bathrooms. Russell Grubb, Managing Director of Linen House, says many manufacturers are using technology to produce lighter weight towels that are more absorbent. Albornoz agrees, saying that new yarn technology means they can make towels that look thick and feel fluffy, but use a lot less cotton. "This means that towels dry quicker," he says.

Goudie says towels in bamboo and organic cotton are on the rise. And when talking style, stripes are always a safe choice. "Everybody likes stripes, unlike a print such as a hibiscus or fish. Double towels are also doing well at the moment, as are towels in bold colours," he says.

Go eco

Towels made of organic cotton, bamboo and even hemp are being produced by both mainstream and specialty manufacturers. Fibres such as hemp and linen are up to 10 times better at absorbing water than regular cotton says Adair. "They can feel slightly rougher, but they get the job done better."

Sharon Down from the Bamboo Fabric Store says bamboo's hollow fibre produces a soft but very strong yarn with up to four times the absorption capacity of cotton towels. "Bamboo is a renewable resource and has natural antiseptic qualities that inhibit smells and repel bacteria," she says.

Caring for your towels

For longevity of colour and superior absorption from your towels, avoid using fabric softener, says Country Road's Joanna Ross. Fabric softeners coat the fibres, reducing their ability to absorb water. Washing in cold to warm water will help make your towels last longer too, says Luis Albornoz. Always use minimal detergent (never bleach), rinsing thoroughly to remove any residue. Benzoyl peroxide (a common ingredient in cosmetics and toothpaste) can damage towels so avoid contact.

After washing, give the towels a shake before line drying - ideally in the shade - to fluff up the fibres, says David Goudie.

If you really love that tumble-dried feel, Ross suggests popping them in the dryer briefly at the end of the drying process.

Best for the beach

Beach towels often have one terry-towelling side and one velour side. According to Albornoz, velouring a towel negates its absorbency function. "Velouring brings out the colour and design elements, but you should always dry yourself with the terry side," he says. Goudie agrees: "Velour has a nice feel to it but it won't dry you. I recommend a non-velour towel with terry loops on both sides."

Looking for more indoor inspiration? Check out our Indoor section.