When choosing which hospitality towels to buy, you’re likely in the market for 100% cotton towels. After all, cotton is breathable, absorbent, soft, and durable—all qualities you want in a towel! Of course, once you’ve zeroed in on the material you’re after, you aren’t done making decisions. You need to decide which type of cotton towel you want. One reliable option that we’d recommend is ring-spun cotton towels. 

Below, we’ll dive into what a ring-spun cotton towel is, the pros and cons of ring-spun towels, and how to decide if ring-spun towels are right for your business. 

What Does Ring-Spun Mean? 

The term “ring-spun” refers to a specific way that cotton fibers can be turned into yarn. Short and long cotton strands are twisted—or spun—together around a ring in the spinning machine. The resulting “ring-spun” yarn is smoother, softer, and stronger than other types of cotton yarn, and those qualities carry over into the end product, like a t-shirt or towel. 

Ring-Spun Cotton Towels vs. 100% Cotton Towels

A ring-spun cotton towel is simply a towel made from ring-spun cotton yarn. Ring-spun is just one of several different types of 100% cotton towels. Other types of 100% cotton towels include combed, zero-twist and open-ended yarn towels.

How a towel is made—its construction—greatly affects what qualities it offers. So, ring-spun cotton towels offer different advantages and disadvantages compared to other types of 100% cotton towels.

Specific benefits of ring-spun cotton towels include: 

• A high lush pile with a better feel than basic combed cotton
• A tight weave that’s strong and durable yet still breathable 
• A long product life (withstands repeated use, washing, and drying)
• An even pile that results in white towels looking whiter
• Good absorbency so that guests can dry off faster 
• Many different patterns are available 

Some disadvantages of ring-spun cotton towels include:

• Not as plush as zero-twist cotton towels
• Potentially more expensive than towels made with short fibers and open-ended yarns

Are Ring-Spun Cotton Towels Right for Your Business? 

Ring-spun cotton towels are a reliable yet luxurious option that three-, four-, and five-star hotels should consider. The fabrication and construction deliver the soft experience your guests are after while still providing a long product life. You can find ring-spun towels with a variety of designs as well, such as a classic chevron dobby, a classic dobby design, or even a unique piano key design.  

Just keep in mind that ring-spun isn’t the only choice you need to make when choosing the right hotel bathroom textiles. A towel’s size, the weight or GSM, and the specific type of cotton used all affect the overall guest experience, too. 

For more guidance as you shop for towels for your hotel, refer to our Complete Hotel Towel Buying Guide. 

Venus Offers Many Ring-Spun Cotton Towel Options

Here at Venus Group, we sell a variety of 100% ringspun cotton towels, including black make-up towels and thick two-ply ring-spun bath towels that are sure to impress your guests. Need help deciding what’s best for your business? Call 800.421.6599 or email us at sales@venusgroup.com to speak with one of our textile experts.