Towels
Towel Guide: What is GSM?
May
You have likely seen that all towels are given a GSM rating. But what is this rating? What does it stand for? And how does it affect the quality of a towel?
Read on as we reveal everything you need to know about GSM.
GSM – or Grams per Square Metre
If you’ve been shopping for towels for your business, GSM is something that will have caught your attention as the most advertised measurement of a towel. GSM, or Grams per Square Metre, is the unit of measurement for the weight of a towel. Like paper, towels are weighed in this way because it allows the customer to ascertain the qualities of the towel beyond the simple feel of it on the store shelf.
While it may be tempting to furnish your location with the towels that feel the most wonderful against your skin in-store, this can be a mistake. Many manufacturers use heavy softeners for their shelf stock to lure customers in with an exquisite texture, but this feeling would quickly fade to reveal the true quality of the towel after a few washes.
What can GSM tell us about a towel?
Towel GSM is not only an indicator of weight. A higher density of fibres in each square inch of a towel contributes to a plush and extremely absorbent towel and naturally, these towels are heavier. That’s why GSM is such an important factor to consider in the process of determining the perfect towel for a given situation.
For example, a beach towel for sunbathing doesn’t need to be extremely absorbent but should be easily portable. This will have a lower GSM rating, somewhere between 200 and 400. That’s because the towels in the lower range have fewer fibres per square inch, creating a towel that’s lighter, less absorbent and more likely to lose softness over time – becoming coarse and rough after multiple washes.
On the other hand, a towel in a luxury spa or high-end hotel would be at the very highest end of the GSM scale, anywhere from 600 to 900. These towels have a much greater density of fibres per square inch, which leads to that familiar feeling of a weighty, decadent towel that is almost unbelievably soft on your skin. They are also more durable, holding onto those all-important qualities for much longer.
Related Reading: How Often Should You Replace Towels
So, is higher better when it comes to GSM?
Not necessarily. In most cases, towels with a higher GSM value are considered to be the most luxurious and highest-quality towels available. But this quality comes at a cost. Because of their weight, they must usually be washed alone to avoid damage to appliances and will take a significantly longer time to dry than a low GSM towel.
It is important to balance your needs for a premium, top-quality towel against the added care and attention that such a luxurious product requires to remain in the condition you desire for it. While it could be tempting to invest in the highest GSM you can find, it can be an overwhelming maintenance cycle to keep them at their best.
High-quality wholesale towels
At Homefords, we supply wholesale towels in the 500 to 640 GSM range. Each range offers the perfect balance between quality and easy care. That’s paired with a low minimum order of just £100 and free delivery to mainland UK addresses. Order yours today!
If you’re researching towels before making a purchase, be sure to read our complete guide to buying towels.
Order your wholesale towels from Homefords
• Wide Range: Wide variety of sizes, colours and weights to choose from.
• Low Minimum Order: Low minimum order of just £100.
• Free Delivery: Free delivery to mainland UK on all orders over £100.
