Editing Towel

{{short description|Absorbent fabric or paper, used for drying or wiping a surface}}
[[File:Zusammengelegte Handtücher.jpg|thumb|right|Colored bath towels]]
A '''towel''' ({{IPAc-en|'|t|aʊ|(|ə|)|l}}) is a piece of [[absorption (chemistry)|absorbent]] [[cloth]] or [[paper]] used for drying or wiping a surface. Towels draw [[moisture]] through direct contact.
 
Bathing towels and hand towels are usually made of [[cotton]], [[linen]], [[bamboo]] and [[Microfiber|synthetic microfibers.]]

In households, several types of towels are used, such as hand towels, bath towels, and [[Dishtowel|kitchen towels]].

[[Paper towel]]s are provided in commercial or office [[Bathroom|bathrooms]] via a dispenser for users to dry their hands. They are also used for such duties such as wiping, cleaning, and drying.

==History==
According to [[Middle Ages]] archaeological studies, "... closely held personal items included the ever present [[knife]] and a towel."<ref>Hatcler, Margret. ''Family Ties that Bind, Middle Ages Family Life''. Oxford University Press, 1968, p. 112.</ref> However, the invention of the towel is commonly associated with the city of [[Bursa]], [[Turkey]], in the 17th century. These Turkish towels began as a flat, woven piece of cotton or linen called a ''[[peshtamal]]'', often hand-embroidered. Long enough to wrap around the body, peshtamal were originally fairly narrow, but are now wider and commonly measure {{convert|90|x|170|cm|in}}.<ref name=JH>{{cite web|title=History of the Towel|url=http://www.jennifershamam.com/education/history-of-the-towel.html|website=Jeniffer's Hamam|access-date=28 April 2015|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150509003955/http://www.jennifershamam.com/education/history-of-the-towel.html|archive-date=9 May 2015}}</ref> Peshtamel were used in [[Turkish baths]] as they stayed light when wet and were very absorbent.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Marchese |first=Ronald T. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=lOcWWutNIi0C&dq=Pestemal+Turkish+bath&pg=PA171 |title=The Fabric of Life: Cultural Transformations in Turkish Society |date=2005 |publisher=Global Academic Publishing |isbn=978-1-58684-256-7 |language=en}}</ref>

As the [[Ottoman Empire]] grew, so did the use of the towel. Weavers were asked to embroider more elaborate designs, aided by their knowledge of [[Knotted-pile carpet|carpet-weaving.]]<ref name=TFY>{{cite web|title=History of Turkish Towels|url=http://www.turkeyforyou.com/turkey_turkish_towels_history|website=Turkey For You|access-date=28 April 2015}}</ref> By the 18th century, towels began to feature loops sticking up from the pile of the material. These looped  towels became known as ''havly''; over time, this word has changed to ''havlu'', the Turkish word for towel, and means 'with loops'.<ref name=LidT>{{cite web|title=A Brief History Of Towels|url=http://www.lidtime.com/a-brief-history-of-towels/|website=Lid Time|date=20 August 2013 |access-date=20 August 2013}}</ref>

Towels did not become affordable until the 19th century, with the cotton trade and [[Industrialisation|industrialization]]. With mechanization, cotton terry-towelling became available by the yard as well as being stocked in shops as pre-made towels.<ref name=Made>{{cite web|title=Bath Towel|url=http://www.madehow.com/Volume-4/Bath-Towel.html|access-date=28 April 2015}}</ref> Today, towels come in a variety of sizes, materials and designs.

==Types==
[[File:An African Towel.jpg|thumb|A hand-made African towel]]
[[File:Towel blue decorativepattern closeup.jpg|thumb|Close-up photo of a bath towel, made of [[terrycloth]], showing the absorbing fibres, along with a decorative pattern]]
[[File:Toballola de platja.jpg|thumb|A beach towel]]
[[File:Towel3.jpg|thumb|Fibres in a tea towel]]
[[File:Fouta bohemeria.JPG|thumb|Tunisian fouta towel]]
* A ''[[bathtub|bath]] towel'' is used for drying the body when it is wet, such as after bathing or showering.  It is typically rectangular, with a typical size around {{convert|30|x|60|in|cm|abbr=on}}, and is made of [[terrycloth]].
* A ''beach towel'' is usually somewhat larger than a bath towel, and often has a colorful pattern.  Although often used for drying off after being in the water, its main purpose is to provide a surface on which to lay down.  They are also worn for privacy while changing clothes in a public area, and for wiping sand from the body or objects.
* A ''bath sheet'' (or ''sheet towel'') is larger than a bath towel. The classic bath sheet [https://beezzly.com/home/organizing/bath-sheet-vs-bath-towel#Types_of_Bath_Sheets_and_Towels size] is 80×160&nbsp;cm. A large bath sheet that can wrap the entire body is 100×150&nbsp;cm or 90×160&nbsp;cm. They are used after [[bathing]], in [[saunas]], on [[beaches]], and for [[massage]].
* A ''foot towel'' is a small, rectangular towel that, in the absence of a rug, [[carpet]] or bathroom mat, is placed on the bathroom floor to stand on after finishing a [[shower]] or bath.
* A ''hand towel'' is significantly smaller than a bath towel (perhaps {{convert|12|x|24|in|cm|abbr=on}}), and is used for drying the hands after washing them.
* An ''oven towel'' or ''confectioner's mitten'' is a multipurpose household towel used for a kitchen or shop applications.
* A ''[[paper towel]]'' is a piece of paper that can be used once as a towel and then be disposed of. A perforated roll of paper towels is usually mounted on a rod slightly longer than the width of the roll, or in an alternative type of hanger that has protrusions on ears, the protrusions fitting into the ends of the paper towel roll.  Paper towels might also be packaged as [[facial tissue]]s are (as individual folded sheets).
* A ''[[disposable towel]]'' (or non-woven towel) is a towel intended for a single user, but not necessarily for a single use, as it can be reused but not washed. It is often made of non-woven fibres and often is used in hospitals, hotels, geriatric and salon or beauty settings, for their hygienic properties.
* A ''show towel'' is a bath or hand towel with a trim (such as satin, lace or linen) stitched onto it, or embroidery done on it—mostly for visual appeal.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.nga.gov/collection/gallery/iadpenn/iadpenn-15112.0.html |title=The (American) National Gallery of Art |quote=Like elaborately decorated pottery and Jacquard coverlets, "show towels" were made primarily for display rather than for use. |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070609092538/http://www.nga.gov/collection/gallery/iadpenn/iadpenn-15112.0.html |archive-date=2007-06-09 }}</ref> These types of towels are used to add a decorative touch, most commonly in the United States. They are generally not to be used for drying, as regular washing ruins the added trim, and the towels usually shrink differently than the trim.
* A ''sports towel'' is a synthetic or semi-synthetic towel originally developed for swimmers and divers, favoured for its super-absorbent qualities.  Sports towels can be wrung out when saturated, leaving the towel able to absorb water again, though not dry.  These qualities, along with their compact nature, have further popularized sports towels among general outdoor and athletic enthusiasts.  The absorbent material in sports towels may be composed of [[viscose]], [[Polyvinyl alcohol|PVA]] or [[microfiber]], with [[polyester]] woven in for durability.  Some manufacturers incorporate a [[Medical uses of silver#Mechanism of action|silver ion or compound treatment]] into their towels to better inhibit microbial growth and associated odors.{{citation needed|date=April 2015}}
* The term ''kitchen towel'' refers to a [[dish towel]] in American English (called a ''tea towel'' in UK and Canadian English), and to a [[paper towel]] in [[British English]].
* A ''tea towel'' or ''tea cloth'' (UK and Canadian English), called ''dishtowel'' or ''dish towel'' in America, is an absorbent towel made from soft, lint-free linen. They are used in the kitchen to dry dishes, [[cutlery]], etc. after they are washed. The towels are also used during [[tea time]]. They can be wrapped around the tea pot to keep the tea warm, prevent drips, and keep one's hand from being burned by the hot tea pot handle when serving the tea. They are commonly made of cotton rather than linen. They are also used for drying [[List of glassware|glassware]], but sometimes a special glass cloth is used for that purpose. Tea towels originated in 18th-century England.
* A ''[[tenugui]]'' is a variety of hand towel that originates from [[Japan]]. It is most often used in the same way as a tea towel or [[flannel]] (washcloth), but can also be used for decoration, as a [[headband]], or for wrapping bottles and other items to be given as gifts.
* A ''cloth towel dispenser'' or ''continuous cloth towel'' is a towel manipulated by a series of rollers, used as an alternative to paper towels and [[hand dryers]] in public [[washroom]]s. These may have a lower environmental impact than paper towels,<ref>[http://www.celsias.com/actions/214/ Celsias] {{webarchive|url=https://archive.today/20130118235130/http://www.celsias.com/actions/214/ |date=2013-01-18 }} Retrieved on 31 Oct 09</ref> though concerns over hygiene mean they are not used by some organisations<ref>{{cite web|url=http://communications.uwo.ca/com/western_news/opinions/cloth_towels_health_risk_20041124436373/ |title=Western News |publisher=Communications.uwo.ca |date=2004-11-24 |access-date=2010-11-18}}</ref> and have greatly declined in popularity.
* A ''bar towel'' is an absorbent, usually small, towel used in [[Bar (establishment)|bars]] and often given away free as [[Promotional merchandise|promotional]] items.
*  A ''fingertip towel'' or ''finger towel'' is a small towel that is folded and placed next to the sink or in the guest bedroom. Hosts often pin a note to these towels indicating that they are for guest use.<ref>{{cite web|title=Fingertip Towel|url=http://www.thetowelshop.co.uk/blog/7-golden-rules-of-toweltiquette-towel-etiquette-be-the-perfect-guest/|website=www.thetowelshop.co.uk|access-date=22 July 2015}}</ref>
* A ''golf towel'' is a small towel which usually comes with a loop or clip to attach to a golf bag for drying hands, golfballs, and clubs.<ref>{{cite web|title=What is a Golf Towel|url=https://honestgolfers.com/what-is-a-golf-towel-used-for/|website=www.honestgolfers.com|date=20 August 2021 |access-date=10 May 2022}}</ref>
* A ''baby towel'' is a smaller towel with an extra sewn-on hood at one corner to cover a baby's head.
* A ''[[peshtemal]]'' (or pestemal) is a unique multipurpose towel from [[Anatolia]].
* A ''poncho towel'' is a wearable towel made for drying off and changing, often used poolside, at the beach or after swimming. 
* A ''[[fouta towel]]'' is a Tunisian hammam and beach towel, which is also used as a [[pareo]].

==In fiction==

In Douglas Adam's book [[The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy]], there is an in-world emphasis on towels and their importance to hitchhikers, because if a hitchhiker has a towel it can be inferred by a non-hitchhiker that they also have a toothbrush, soap, washcloth, raincoat, and related things, and would be happy to lend the hitchhiker any of those items if they have "lost" them.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Adams |first1=Douglas |title=The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy |date=12 October 1979 |publisher=Pan Books |isbn=0330258648 |edition=The Ultimate Hitchhikers Guide}}</ref>

==See also==
* [[Huckaback fabric]]
*[[Terrycloth]]
* [[Towel day]]
* [[Towel tablet]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
{{Commons category-inline|Towels}}
{{Wiktionary|towel}}

* [https://onesearch.slq.qld.gov.au/permalink/61SLQ_INST/tqqf2h/alma99286343402061 Glenn R. Cooke Souvenir Textiles Collection], [[State Library of Queensland]]. Large collection of textiles, mainly tea towels, that depict the culture and various places within [[Queensland|Queensland, Australia.]]
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[[Category:Bathing]]
[[Category:Linens]]
[[Category:Personal hygiene products]]
[[Category:Domestic implements]]
[[Category:Towels| ]]