# Bath Towel Absorption Formula **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [January 5, 2006, 11:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bath-towel-absorption-formula/338657 "2006-01-05T23:14:20Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 13\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![sharkattack](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/76d3ee/32.png) [@sharkattack](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sharkattack)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2006, 11:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bath-towel-absorption-formula/338657/1 "2006-01-05T23:14:20Z")
why are all bath towels more absorbant on one side than on the other? Is it forbidden to make a bath towel with equall sides, or does it have to do with the weave? ---
**Author:** ![Cunctator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/43a26b/32.png) [@Cunctator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cunctator)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2006, 11:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bath-towel-absorption-formula/338657/2 "2006-01-05T23:29:36Z")
> [@sharkattack](#): > > why are all bath towels more absorbant on one side than on the other? I haven’t noticed this phenomenon. My bath towels seem equally absorbent on both sides. ---
**Author:** ![sandra\_nz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/eada6e/32.png) [@sandra\_nz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sandra_nz)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2006, 11:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bath-towel-absorption-formula/338657/3 "2006-01-05T23:32:21Z")
Or in my case, equally non-absorbent. I swear I have a set of towels that just move the water around your body as you desperately try to towel yourself dry… ---
**Author:** ![ZenBeam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/3ab097/32.png) [@ZenBeam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZenBeam)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2006, 5:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bath-towel-absorption-formula/338657/4 "2006-01-06T17:33:07Z")
> [@sandra\_nz](#): > > Or in my case, equally non-absorbent. > > I swear I have a set of towels that just move the water around your body as you desperately try to towel yourself dry… Cut back on the fabric softener when you wash the towels. ---
**Author:** ![The\_King\_of\_Soup](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/a87d85/32.png) [@The\_King\_of\_Soup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_King_of_Soup)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2006, 7:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bath-towel-absorption-formula/338657/5 "2006-01-06T19:26:09Z")
> [@ZenBeam](#): > > Cut back on the fabric softener when you wash the towels. And eliminate the anti-static dryer sheets. And if _that_ doesn’t work, take them out of the plastic packaging. ---
**Author:** ![Mahaloth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mahaloth/32/1079_2.png) [@Mahaloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahaloth)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2006, 7:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bath-towel-absorption-formula/338657/6 "2006-01-06T19:47:56Z")
I also have never noticed either side of any bath towel being more absorbant. ---
**Author:** ![medstar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f07891/32.png) [@medstar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/medstar)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2006, 8:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bath-towel-absorption-formula/338657/7 "2006-01-06T20:26:10Z")
I have a couple of suggestions to help with water absorption from your bath towels: 1. cut down the amount of plain detergent you use ( no added softener, brighteners, etc.) I use about ¼ to ½ cup of detergent (powdered or liquid). 2. add the same amount of washing soda while the hot water is pouring in. Start adding the bath towels and bedsheets. 3. if you have the downy softener ball, fill it with white vinegar to its fill line and add the ball to the washload. 4. when drying the load, use low heat so the towels are as fluffy as possible. 5. if you don’t care about aesthetics, go to Walmart, Kmart, Target, etc. and buy large microfiber towels in the automotive section. Wash them first as above, and then use them to wrap your wet hair in and wiping water off of your body. I’ve found that my hair air dries quickly with less split ends and my body is much drier after patting dry when I use these towels after my shower. Hope this helps. ---
**Author:** ![spingears](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ebca7d/32.png) [@spingears](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/spingears)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2006, 9:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bath-towel-absorption-formula/338657/8 "2006-01-06T21:39:47Z")
> [@sharkattack](#): > > why are all bath towels more absorbant on one side than on the other? Haven’t observed that phenomenon. Sounds strange unless the knap of one side is markedly different from the other. > [@](#): > > Is it forbidden to make a bath towel with equall sides, or does it have to do with the weave? Has more to do with the type of firber. Cotton is absorbent, synthetics are not! ---
**Author:** ![ZenBeam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/3ab097/32.png) [@ZenBeam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZenBeam)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2006, 9:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bath-towel-absorption-formula/338657/9 "2006-01-06T21:57:44Z")
Since **sharkattack** hasn’t come back, I’ll venture that what (s)he is really asking about is whythe two sides look different, with one side having longer fibers or loops or whatever. It doesn’t necessarily affect the absorbancy much. ---
**Author:** ![sharkattack](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/76d3ee/32.png) [@sharkattack](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sharkattack)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2006, 10:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bath-towel-absorption-formula/338657/10 "2006-01-06T22:22:45Z")
> [@ZenBeam](#): > > Since **sharkattack** hasn’t come back, I’ll venture that what (s)he is really asking about is whythe two sides look different, with one side having longer fibers or loops or whatever. It doesn’t necessarily affect the absorbancy much. Sorry, I was off taking multiple showers, and drying myself off with every towel on the shelf…just to see if i was wrong. I dont use a dryer (so no fabric sheets), I dont use softener…just water and detergent. But i dont think it is due to the way i wash the towels. I noticed this once years ago, and ever since its annoyed me because now i have to make sure im using the right side of the towel…everywhere i go. I hope i havent caused this pain and suffering to any of you. Since Im alone in my world of hell, I guess i could do 1 of three things: 1. seek psychological help 2. sew two bath towels together 3. just go take another shower thanks for the input though! ---
**Author:** ![flex727](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/258eb7/32.png) [@flex727](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/flex727)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2006, 1:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bath-towel-absorption-formula/338657/11 "2006-01-07T01:35:03Z")
Erm, uh, _I_ have always noticed this phenomenon. The two sides of a terrycloth towel are definitely VERY different. I’m sure it’s a result of how it’s woven. I always like to dry with the label side. I really don’t understand how anyone could fail to see the difference. 😕 ---
**Author:** ![sharkattack](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/76d3ee/32.png) [@sharkattack](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sharkattack)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2006, 2:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bath-towel-absorption-formula/338657/12 "2006-01-07T02:39:03Z")
> [@flex727](#): > > Erm, uh, _I_ have always noticed this phenomenon. 🆒 thanks mate. ---
**Author:** ![north-is-not-up](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/cc9497/32.png) [@north-is-not-up](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/north-is-not-up)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2026, 8:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bath-towel-absorption-formula/338657/13 "2026-10-01T20:15:01Z")
yes I’ve noticed some towels have a different weave on one side that is softer and more absorbent…