Continued: Terry-cloth cotton towels most absorbent

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Q How do you find towels that actually absorb water? I have purchased towels of every price range and in every type of store. Nothing absorbs moisture. We end up feeling "damp" after toweling off. How do you get towels that do the job?

A Bath towel absorbency varies with the fiber content and weave. However, using fabric softener in the washer or dryer can inhibit absorption, so consider discontinuing its use.

The most absorbent towels are likely to be cotton, terry-cloth woven towels. Cotton can absorb seven to eight times its weight in water and has the ability to soak moisture away from the body. Terry-cloth weave means the cotton fabric is woven with one or more extra sets of yarn in the lengthwise direction to create the pile or loops. The terry loops act as small sponges to remove water from the body. The more loops there are, the more surface area for absorbing water.

Some cotton towels are made with finer yarns, such as Egyptian cotton, which will weave into more loops and make you feel drier. Some manufacturers also use two-ply yarn to increase thickness and absorbency.

Avoid velour towels. They have very closely sheared terry loops that make the towel look like velvet. They look beautiful, but they have limited absorbency and can make a user feel damp.

When buying bath towels, look for towels with densely packed loops of 100 percent cotton. The highest-quality terry products consist of more yarns used in the background fabric and very close loops packed into the pile. Consider Egyptian, pima or micro cotton. Be aware that the feel of towels at the store can be deceiving. That incredible softness may simply be a factory-applied spray that will come off in the wash. Rather, look for ring-spun or combed cotton fabrics; they tend to make for softer towels.

Includes information from University of Kentucky Extension Service

Send your questions to Fixit in care of the Star Tribune, 425 Portland Av. S., Minneapolis, MN 55488, or call 612-673-7032, or e-mail fixit@startribune.com. Past columns are available at www.startribune.com/fixit. Sorry, Fixit cannot supply individual replies.

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