<\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\nSome towels feature bands made of the same cotton terrycloth fabric as the rest of the towels. The terrycloth band is distinguished by being a different color, but the absorbent texture remains the same. Terrycloth bands<\/strong> offer decoration but less reinforcement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/span>Herringbone Bands<\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\nHerringbone bands<\/strong> have a woven, flat texture without terrycloth loops. The distinctive herringbone weave pattern adds durability and style. It resembles the bones of a fish, with its zig-zag appearance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/span>Dobby Bands<\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\nDobby bands<\/strong> are similar to herringbone but feature more intricate woven designs in the fabric instead of a simple crisscross pattern. The complex dobby designs make for very decorative stripes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/span>Cam Bands<\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\nCam bands<\/strong> are plain, narrow, flat woven stripes positioned an inch or so from the edge of the towel. They offer decoration without the absorbency of terrycloth. The simple cam stripe is inexpensive and common.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/span>Hemmed Bands<\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\nAs mentioned earlier, hemmed bands<\/strong> are created by folding over the edge of the terrycloth and stitching it into place. This encases the raw fabric edge. Hemmed bands are very effective at preventing fraying.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/span>Caring for Towels with Bands<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\nTo keep your bath towels looking and functioning at their best, follow these care tips:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n- Wash in cold water<\/strong> to avoid shrinkage of the band fabric. Hot water can cause the bands to shrink and pucker.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Line dry<\/strong> whenever possible. The heat of the dryer can damage fibers and shorten the lifespan of any towel.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Avoid fabric softener<\/strong> as it leaves a coating that diminishes absorbency, especially on the terrycloth portion.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Trim loose threads<\/strong> to maintain appearance and prevent further unraveling. Snip any stray threads you notice.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Buy high-quality<\/strong> towels made of good materials and stitching. These will last much longer than cheaply made towels prone to shedding fibers.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
With the proper care and laundering, a quality bath towel with bands could easily last 5-10 years or longer!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/span>The Benefits of Banded Bath Towels<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\nAt the end of the day, the bands on bath towels offer a variety of upsides:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n- Durability<\/strong> – Bands reinforce towels and prevent early fraying or tearing.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Absorbency<\/strong>\u00a0– The terrycloth loop and smooth band combo whisk away moisture.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Style<\/strong> – Decorative bands lend elegance and visual interest to towels.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Differentiation<\/strong> – Bands make it easy to identify different towels at a glance.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Longevity<\/strong> – With proper care, a good banded towel will last for years.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
So next time you reach for a bath towel, take a moment to appreciate the humble towel band. This simple detail continues to serve both form and function century after century!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/span>FAQ<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<\/span>Why do my towel bands shrink?<\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\nHeat<\/strong> is the enemy of any fabric. If towel bands are shrinking, it’s likely due to washing or drying at excessively high temperatures. Always opt for cooler water when washing and line dry when possible. Avoid overloading the washer or dryer as this can prevent proper cleaning and drying.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/span>Should I buy towels with or without bands?<\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\nThis comes down to personal preference! Banded towels<\/strong> tend to be slightly more expensive but offer added decoration, absorption, and durability. Bandless towels<\/strong> have a more minimalist look. Consider where the towels will be used and how heavily to determine if bands seem useful or unnecessary.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/span>How do I fold towels with bands?<\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\nFolding banded towels takes a bit more care to keep the bands aligned and the towel creases precise. The easiest method is to first fold lengthwise, matching up the bands. Then fold into thirds widthwise. Make the folds right along the bands to keep everything straight.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/span>How can I stop my towel bands from smelling?<\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\nBacteria and mildew<\/strong> cause stinky towel bands. Wash towels regularly in hot water and avoid leaving them wadded up wet for long periods. If smells persist, try soaking the bands in a dilute vinegar solution, then wash as normal. Proper drying is also key to prevent dampness and odor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/span>Should I strip my banded towels?<\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\nStripping<\/strong> towels by deep cleaning them in a mix of hot water, borax, and washing soda can refresh their absorbency. But it’s harsh on fabrics and hard on bands. Only strip towels occasionally as needed, not routinely. And take extra care to rinse thoroughly and reshape the bands afterward.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/span>Conclusion<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\nTowel bands have been around for generations, originating from the hemmed edges of linen towels long ago. Although bath towels today are made of cotton terrycloth that is less prone to fraying, the tradition of the band lives on.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
From reinforcements to decoration, towel bands serve an array of purposes. They add strength and style to towels while aiding with absorption, differentiation, hanging, and folding. With appropriate laundering and care, high-quality banded bath towels can provide years of service. Their versatile design combines both fashion and function into one quality household essential.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
If you’ve ever used a bath towel, you’ve likely noticed the strip or band of fabric that runs along one or both short edges of the towel. This narrow, flat strip\u2014typically a different color or made of a different material than the rest of the plush terrycloth\u2014serves several important purposes. The Origin of Towel Bands […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":1930,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[20],"tags":[],"blocksy_meta":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/towelsedition.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1910"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/towelsedition.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/towelsedition.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/towelsedition.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/towelsedition.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1910"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/towelsedition.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1910\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1932,"href":"https:\/\/towelsedition.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1910\/revisions\/1932"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/towelsedition.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1930"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/towelsedition.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1910"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/towelsedition.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1910"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/towelsedition.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1910"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}