Which towels do I really need? Sizes and selection for singles, couples and families
You get out of the shower and reach for a towel. You actually want a large towel to wrap yourself in and a smaller one for your hair. There are both in the cupboard, plus a few things you hardly ever touch. Moments like these show that it's not the quantity that matters, but whether the towels suit your everyday life.
Why the right choice is important in everyday life
Towels are used every day. They come into direct contact with the skin, need to be washed regularly and take up space in the bathroom. Nevertheless, it is often unclear which sizes are really needed. Many households have more towels than they need, but use the same ones over and over again. A clear selection provides an overview, simplifies washing and makes processes more reliable.
Towel sizes and their use
Only a few types of towels are used regularly in the bathroom. Others are used less frequently or only in certain situations. If it is clear which towels are actually used in everyday life and for what, it is easier to assess your own equipment.
The most important towel formats for everyday use
The towel in the sizes 50x100 cm or 60x110 cm is often used for hands, face or hair. Many people use it for their head after showering because it is handy and dries more quickly. It is often the towel that is used in between.
The shower towel with 67x140 cm is used after showering to dry the body. It can be folded over and is suitable for everyday use. This size fits in almost any bathroom and is easy to wash.
The bath towel with 80x160 cm or 100x150 cm is chosen when you want to wrap yourself up after a shower or bath. The idea of a particularly large shower towel usually refers to this format in everyday life. It offers more surface area and stays pleasantly warm for longer.
Many households use a combination of these sizes. For example, a bath towel for the body, a hand towel for the hair and a shower towel for changing. This allows different needs to be covered without having lots of the same towels.
Additional towel formats
Guest towels measuring 30x50 cm or 40x60 cm are only used for short periods. They are particularly useful if there is a guest WC or a separate guest bathroom with washbasin. They are not often needed in households with only one bathroom.
The soap cloth with 30x30 cm is used for facial cleansing. It can be an alternative to the wash mitt. Some prefer the flatter cloth, others the wash mitt. How it is used depends on the personal care routine.
The wash mitt with 22x16 cm is used for targeted body care. It is used selectively and is not a permanent fixture in every household.
A sauna towel measuring approximately 80x200 cm is used if you regularly visit the sauna. It is longer than bath towels and is designed to completely cover the body. It does not replace other towels for normal use in the bathroom.
Beach towels measuring around 100x180 cm are intended for the beach, pool or loungers. They are rarely used in the bathroom in everyday life.
Who needs which towels
Singles
If you live alone, you can usually get by with just a few towels. A bath towel or shower towel for the body, a towel for hair or hands and a change of towels are often sufficient for everyday use. Guest towels are only useful if there is a guest toilet. Large sets that contain more than is actually used often result in bad purchases.
Couples
The need increases with two people, but not automatically twice. The decisive factor is which sizes are preferred. If both have similar routines, the number can be kept manageable. Guest towels are shared if they are needed.
Families
Towels are used more in everyday family life. Children change more frequently and smaller sizes are used more often. One shower towel per person is useful for everyday use, supplemented by a bath towel for wrapping up. Towels for hands and hair are also included. Soap cloths or wash gloves can help, but do not have to be used more than once.
How many towels are useful
There is no fixed number that applies to every household. If you wash regularly, you will need less. If you wash less frequently or have several people in the household, you will need a little more. If you wash two to three times a week, you usually need two to three body towels per person as a circulating stock. It is crucial that each towel has a clear purpose.
If you make a conscious choice, you should also look for quality that can withstand frequent washing in the long term. Terry towels that are manufactured in Austria, as is the case with VOSSEN, are designed to remain stable in daily use for many years.
Typical bad buys
Large sets with no relation to your everyday life. Several similar sizes that fulfill the same task. Guest towels without a separate guest WC. Soap cloths and washcloths in parallel, even though only one of them is used. Beach towels in the bathroom. Old towels that are kept out of habit.
FAQ: Frequently asked questions about towel selection
Do I need a shower towel and a bath towel?
In everyday life, one of the two is enough. Many people use a bath towel for wrapping up and a shower towel for changing.
What do I use a towel for if I have a shower towel?
The hand towel is often used for hair, hands or face and dries faster than larger towels.
Are guest towels necessary?
Guest towels are often only useful if there is a guest WC or a separate guest bathroom with a washbasin.
Do I need soap cloths and wash gloves at the same time?
Soap wipes can be an alternative to washcloths. Which variant is used depends on preference and application.
Are sauna towels a substitute for bath towels?
Sauna towels complement the household when using the sauna, but do not replace everyday towels.
How do I know if I have too many towels?
If towels remain unused for a long time or have no clear purpose, there are usually more than necessary.
Conclusion
A suitable towel selection is based on daily use. A hand towel, shower towel and bath towel cover most situations in the bathroom. Everything else is only added when it is actually needed in your own household. If you choose sizes carefully and give each towel a task, you create an overview and make it easier to care for over a long period of time.
The next time you open your bathroom cabinet, it's worth taking a quick look at which towels you use regularly and which you don't. This will often show you what is really useful.
