The pandemic has raised the public's awareness on personal hygiene. Many will shower and get changed immediately once home. Hence, a bath towel with good water absorbency, durability, softness, and anti-bacterial function is a must-have household product. For the first time ever, the Consumer Council tested 40 bath towel models of different prices on the market and found a huge disparity in the water absorption performance. The tested models took 3 to 50 seconds to absorb water before washing, while after the first wash, a model still required 16 seconds to absorb water. Conspicuous pilling and discolouration appeared in about 20% of the models upon their first wash. Moreover, during humid and rainy seasons, damp bath towels are liable to become the breeding ground of microorganisms and cause an unpleasant odour. However, the test revealed that the drying rate among models varied greatly, from 4% to almost 28%. Out of the 8 models with anti-bacterial claims, only 1 could effectively inhibit the growth of 2 test microorganisms in the anti-bacterial test. The overall performance was disappointing.
The Council tested 40 bath towels mainly made of cotton, with prices ranging from $29 to $1,120. Among them, 32 were ordinary towels, while the remaining 8 claimed to have anti-bacterial properties. The test items covered the water absorbency, drying speed and durability of the models, and the accuracy of the fibre composition labelling, while the anti-bacterial performance of the 8 models claiming to be anti-bacterial was also examined.
Out of the 13 models rated 4 points or above in the overall rating, 10 were priced below $300, ranging from $100 to $256. On the contrary, among the 5 most expensive models, ranging from $409 to $1,120, 3 models only attained 3 points overall, showing slightly inferior performance. In particular, the highest-priced model ($1,120) performed poorly in the water absorbency test, pilling appeared on the surface and its colour became less vibrant after just one wash. The Council stresses that the test results showed that the price and quality of products might not necessarily be correlated. Consumers should choose wisely and not focus on the price or design alone when purchasing bath towels.
Good absorbency is the most basic requirement of bath towels. The water absorption performance was evaluated by measuring the time for the tested models to get thoroughly wet and immersed completely after they touch the water surface. Before washing, 22 models performed well and could absorb water in a short time of about 3 to 5 seconds. 3 models performed poorly in the test, taking 38 to 50 seconds to absorb water, among which 2 models still took 15 and 16 seconds to absorb water after one wash, including the highest priced model.
However, it is notable that the water absorption performance of all models did not decrease after 50 repeated washes. About 80% of the models even took a shorter time to absorb water than before or after the initial wash. For example, the water absorption time of the 2 models that took 15 and 16 seconds after the initial wash in the test was shortened to 4 and 10 seconds, respectively, after being washed 50 times. The increased absorbency of bath towels with the number of washes is possibly due to the residual dye and softener on the surface of the bath towels being washed away during multiple washing processes, making them more absorbent. As such, new bath towels were recommended to be washed before use.
To maintain hygiene, consumers should frequently replace and wash bath towels according to the instructions on the care label. Otherwise, washing the towels at excessively high water temperature might cause shrinkage or discolouration, not only affecting their appearance but also greatly reducing their lifespan. After 50 times of washing and drying, practically all models were shrunk, particularly in length, to various extents, from 1.5% to 10.1%. 3 models were shortened by about 10% in length after 50 washes. To avoid exacerbating shrinkage, consumers should avoid washing towels at a temperature higher than the maximum water temperature indicated on their care labels.
As for the appearance, 9 models were found to vary significantly after the initial wash. For instance, disappointing performance of visible pills and/or discolouration appeared, of which 3 models were of relatively higher prices from $460 to $1,120. After 50 washes, all models showed discolouration or pilling to various extents. 7 models also became notably rough or stiff, affecting the user’s comfort when used to wipe the body.
If an unpleasant odour lingers on bath towels even after cleaning, it might be due to prolonged contact between bath towels, water and body sebum when placed in a high-temperature and humid bathroom environment, providing a breeding ground for bacteria and fungi, or even pathogens, and developing an unpleasant odour and mould stains. In measuring the anti-bacterial performance of the 8 claimed models, the test microorganisms Staphylococcus aureus and Klebsiella pneumoniae were inoculated on the 8 models claiming to be anti-bacterial with reference to the test method according to the JIS L1902 standard. The concentration of surviving microorganisms was measured after a set period to calculate the reduction rate. The result indicated that only 1 model showed satisfactory anti-bacterial performance in effectively inhibiting the growth of the 2 test microorganisms. However, 6 models could only effectively inhibit the growth of Staphylococcus aureus, and among them, the anti-bacterial capability in 2 models dropped after being washed 50 times. The remaining model could neither effectively inhibit the 2 test microorganisms, showing poor anti-bacterial performance. The Council reminds consumers to wash and dry used wet bath towels immediately and avoid storing clean and dry bath towels in damp and non-ventilated bathrooms for a long time.
In the highly humid climate in Hong Kong, bath towels that dry quickly can reduce the chance of breeding bacteria and mould. The drying rate in 60 minutes at 20ºC and 65% humidity varied considerably among the models, ranging from the lowest 4% (2 models) to 27.9%. Consumers should note that thick and dense bath towels generally have a slower drying speed. They are suitable for use in the dry winter season and may need to be dried with a clothes dryer.
The test also revealed that the labelled fibre composition of 5 models was inaccurate, including 2 bath towels labelled as cotton or coloured cotton but actually contained a variety of synthetic fibres while their cotton composition was only about 50%. 3 models claimed to be made of 100% cotton but the test results revealed discrepancies between the actual and labelled compositions. The Council has referred all test results, including the model with poor anti-bacterial performance, to the Customs and Excise Department for follow-up.
The Council reminds consumers to follow the washing and drying instructions on the care label of bath towels and refer to the following recommendations to prolong their lifespan:
- Although hot water can help kill bacteria, it may also cause shrinkage and discolouration of cotton bath towels;
- Bath towels with black mould stains should be replaced immediately. Otherwise, they should be washed with a proper amount of bleach or disinfectant. However, using bleach to wash the towels could easily cause discolouration, and improper use may affect the softness and tensile strength of the towels;
- Bath towels are consumables and should be replaced after 50 or 60 uses or washes. Do not share towels with others to reduce the risk of spreading bacteria or viruses;
- Excessive use of fabric softeners or not thoroughly rinsing the bath towels after use will lower their absorbency. The water containing softeners could also impact on the marine ecosystem when discharged into the ocean. For details (available in Chinese only), please refer to the following link: https://www.consumer.org.hk/tc/article/484-4366
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