Which towel is best, cotton or microfiber?

Author: Dr. Burley Champlin III  |  Last update: Thursday, August 21, 2025

A cotton towel is the most comfortable for ordinary use at home. However, microfibre towels are suitable for traveling as they are easy to carry and compact. Bamboo towels, like cotton, are also very comfortable to use.

Are cotton or microfiber towels better?

Microfiber towels/washcloths are more absorbent, quick-drying, and durable than cotton towels/washcloths. They also tend to be more effective at cleaning due to their fine fibers and are less likely to leave lint behind.

Which bath towel is best, microfiber or cotton?

Among the array of bathroom towels available, cotton towels are a top choice due to their quick-drying attributes. While microfiber towels are viable, they may not be suitable for sensitive skin.

Which absorbs better, cotton or microfiber?

Microfiber can hold up to seven times its weight in water, so you can tell that it's far less absorbent than cotton. However, this is more than sufficient to dry your hair.

What are the disadvantages of microfiber towels?

Microfiber Towels' Limited Drawbacks

While the tiny microfibers are great for grabbing dust particles, they can also pull on dry skin or feel scratchy. Many people with sensitive skin find microfiber less comfortable to use than a softer choice, like cotton.

Cotton or Microfibre - which is better when it comes to towels?

What ruins microfiber towels?

The number one rule for microfiber is to only wash with cold water. Hot water can damage, shrink, and melt the synthetic polymer fibers causing the towels to lose their softness and absorbency. Warm or hot water can also loosen excess dye leading to discoloration issues over time.

Are microfiber towels good for everyday use?

These towels also dry quicker than cotton towels. While cotton towels are also absorbent, microfiber is designed such that it can absorb up to seven times its weight in water. Microfiber is also extremely fine and can be an excellent choice of towel when cleaning potentially sensitive items, like electronics or glass.

What is healthier microfiber or cotton?

In fact, there's no right or wrong answer when it comes to choosing between our cotton or microfiber bedding. Cotton sheets are made from organic natural cotton, whereas microfiber bedding is made from high-quality synthetic fibers. One isn't better than the other – it's all about personal preference.

What are the best towels for your body?

High-quality Turkish and Egyptian cotton produce the best, softest, and most absorbent towels. Whether you need them for yourself or your guest bathroom, cotton bath towels are multitaskers and ideal for everyday use.

How to wash microfiber towels?

HOW TO CLEAN MICROFIBER TOWELS IN THE WASHING MACHINE
  1. Separate From Other Fabrics. ...
  2. Shake off excess dirt. ...
  3. Use a Fragrance-Free and Additive-Free Detergent and Do Not Use Fabric Softener. ...
  4. Add Vinegar to Remove Odors. ...
  5. Machine Wash in Cool or Warm Water Using a Gentle Cycle.

What cleans better, cotton or microfiber?

The tiny fibers of microfiber effectively pick up and trap 99.54% of dirt, dust and bacteria at the microscopic level using water alone, reducing the amount of chemicals your facility needs for maintenance. Standard cotton mops only pick up 67% of dirt and will re-deposit 33% of that back onto your floors1.”

Do you use warm or hot water for microfiber towels?

Machine wash a load of microfiber cloths in cold or warm water. Do not use hot water. If using detergent, choose a gentle detergent with no scent or laundry additives. Use a small amount of detergent, no more than one or two teaspoons.

How to tell if a towel is microfiber?

If it's extremely soft, synthetic, warm, and looks more like a single sheet of fabric rather than something woven – it's probably microfiber.

Is cotton or microfiber better for skin?

Hypoallergenic properties

Natural cotton is hypoallergenic and less likely to cause irritation or trigger allergies. Microfiber sheets, on the other hand, are synthetic and may contain chemicals that can irritate sensitive skin.

What is so special about microfiber towels?

The effectiveness of microfiber towels and other products at removing dirt and bacteria means they requires less soap or cleaning product. Microfiber absorbs water more efficiently than cotton, requiring less water when mopping or performing other tasks.

Is 100% cotton lint free?

Lint Free Cotton Doesn't Exist!

If you use a cotton towel, you are going to have lint. Period.

Is microfiber towel better than cotton?

Indeed, even at room temperatures, microfiber towels dry much quicker when contrasted with cotton towels, keeping your towel fresh and avoiding the building of mildew and molds.

What towels do most hotels use?

The secret is Turkish cotton. Hoteliers love Turkish cotton because it's super dense, fluffy and incredibly durable. These towels actually get softer over time with every wash and without breaking down in fluffiness, and you can snag the same towel magic at home.

How can you tell a good quality towel?

As a general rule, when choosing new luxury towels for your home, if a towel is denser and feels heavier, it is typically a bit more durable and absorbent, like a spa towel. If a towel has a velvety-type texture and feels lighter, it will offer a softer and faster drying towel.

What are the disadvantages of microfiber?

The material is available in several colors and designs, ensuring the fabric is versatile and suited to a range of home interiors and aesthetics. A downside of microfiber is that it's prone to staining, with the likes of pet hair and lint sticking to the surface over time.

What color sheets don't show sweat stains?

Best Color Sheets to Hide Stains

Brown sheets can help disguise stains left behind by accidents—whether from pets, children, or spilled coffee. Gray sheets can conceal a wide range of stains, including marks left by dirt and sweat. Dark tones and printed sheets offer do-it-all camouflage to hide a cornucopia of stains.

Are microfiber towels good or bad for you?

Microfiber Towels are good for hundreds of cleaning tasks and pretty much anything you can think of! Because the tiny microfibers clean so well you can use them with just water to clean. Plus, they're machine wash friendly and are made to last hundreds of washes.

What type of towel is best for the body?

Egyptian and Turkish cotton are the most highly sought-after types of bath towels. Both are made from long-staple fibers, which enhance smoothness, softness, and durability—in fact, these fibers become even softer after washing.

What are the side effects of microfiber towels?

The biggest concern regarding microfiber is microplastic pollution. This occurs because all microfiber products can shed the microscopic microfibers in the wash and can make their way to the ocean.

What is the difference between cotton and MicroCotton?

However, MicroCotton differs from other types of cotton in that it is produced using the longest cotton fibres, which are typically not used in the production of regular towels. This allows for the creation of towels with a denser structure and a higher degree of softness and fluffiness.

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