Demystifying Gsm for Towel Buyers

Towels are not just modern-day necessities but have evolved to become lifestyle options that enhance daily comfort while bathing. They are a pivotal part of the home relaxation experience as far as most people are concerned. Hence, choosing a suitable towel is vital,, and a few things need to be kept in mind. For many customers, the GSM, or grammes per square metre, is the most crucial factor. What is GSM? How does it impact your overall experience? Let us demystify the concept in this article.

What is GSM?

The GSM of towels is a measurement index for the weight of towels. Yet, this term is not always familiar to buyers, especially those who are looking to purchase luxury towels. GSM indicates the towel weight in a figure or number. It is applicable for both bamboo and cotton towels while being directly connected to the feel, quality, and performance of the towel. For cotton bath towels, the usual GSM range is approximately 300-900 GSM, while those with a higher GSM count will naturally be softer than usual, along with being heavier and highly absorbent. If you choose a luxury towel akin to one being used in a spa or a premier hotel, it will mostly have a high GSM and cotton fabric while being plush and thick and offering high absorbency levels.

Yet, towels with higher GSM levels may be heavier and more challenging at times. Medium or lightweight towels with lower GSM counts may be easier to handle and wash, although that signature plush feeling may be missing along with the overall quality.

Why Does GSM Matter for Towels?

When it comes to buying towels, GSM is an important aspect that you should always keep in mind. Here are some pointers that you should always keep in mind.

• GSM is the universal benchmark/standard for the comparison and calculation of fabric weights, including those for cotton towels.

• It is worked out by measuring the weight of a single square meter of the fabric in grams. The usual range should be 300-900. You should go upwards if you want more absorbency and softness.

• GSM is directly linked to overall quality, especially when it comes to bath towels. Higher GSM indicates not just luxury but also fluffiness, softness, absorbency, and heavier weight.

• 300-400 GSM will mean a thinner, lightweight, and coarser towel, while 400-600 GSM will equate to a medium-higher weight towel with higher absorbency, softness, and better quality.

• 700-900 GSM is par for the course for heavier, high-quality, soft, and absorbent luxury towels.

• You should look to select a towel that has a GSM count of at least 400-600 and above. Anything below will mean a coarser and rougher towel that will not ensure a good experience overall.

• Cotton towels with 700 GSM and more are heavier while also offering that luxurious, extravagant, sumptuous, and soft feeling that we all desire. While they may be heavier, they are also excellent in terms of absorbency. You should hang them up to dry and wash them in smaller loads independently.

Why a Low-GSM Towel Hinders Your Experience

Here are a few issues that crop up while using low-GSM towels.

• Using a bath towel that has a lower GSM count comes with its fair share of compromises.

• These towels dry faster since they are thinner and considerably lighter.

• Low-GSM towels are also more affordable since they come with lower terry and often cotton or other fabrics of lower quality.

• They do not have similar absorbency levels as compared to high-GSM and medium-GSM towels. You will naturally have to use a higher number of towels to dry yourself in such cases.

• There are issues with durability since they are lighter and do not mostly use high-quality materials.

• These low-GSM towels can become frayed and thin over the years and do not take frequent drying and washing very well.

• These towels have a coarse feeling that most users do not prefer.

Signing off, it should be noted that buying towels with a higher GSM count is always the best option. This works if you desire a softer, more luxurious, and plusher experience.