Turkish cotton vs Egyptian cotton

Whenever you step out in the market as a customer for sheets or towels, it becomes relatively significant to assess which material is better – Turkish or Egyptian. The problem is there can be no definitive winner of this argument. There is no universally accepted standard of towels which either of these materials checks all the boxes for. It can be more confusing for someone entirely new into this experience to pick one from the two. 

Let me make it easier for you by giving you insight. Egyptian cotton is known for its absorbency. This makes Egyptian cotton towels an excellent choice for sheets. However, if we consider hand towels, the same absorbency properties work against their utility, as more absorbent means that the hand towel will take longer to dry. Moreover, it might get wet in humid weather by itself. Here, the Turkish cotton would be better suited for hand towels as they have absorbency features as well as softness. This makes them easy to dry and feels good to use.

Absorbency is one aspect, and many more questions need to be addressed to gain a better insight into the two materials and how they compare. In this article, we will elaborate on such important questions that would help you decide who wins in the battle of Turkish cotton vs Egyptian cotton.

Is Turkish cotton good quality?

Turkish cotton is considered to be the highest quality cotton grown in the world. It is at par in terms of popularity with Egyptian cotton. As discussed above, Turkish cotton has low absorbency, which is a great feature to have, especially for hand towels. You don’t want them to absorb all the moisture or the water and then wait hours to dry it again before you can use it. It has to be quick and effective. The fabric is created on spinning yarn to make threads with lesser joints. This leads to the thread being stronger and smoother. Turkish cotton is also known for its long fibers which make the fabric woven with it smoother, stronger and durable. The reason most people appreciate Turkish cotton is that it gets stronger, fluffier and smoother with excessive washing. 

Turkish cotton is great for:

1. A quick-drying towel.
2. Pushing water off your skin rather than taking it into the towel and loosening the yarns.
3. Preventing mildew.
4. Packing (It’s super packable)

Egyptian Cotton Is GREAT for:

1. Keeping bath towels plush and extra soft.
2. Absorbing a lot of water.

Is Egyptian cotton the same as 100% cotton?

No, Egyptian cotton comes from a different plant than regular cotton. Hence their properties cannot be the same. Moreover, Egyptian cotton is handpicked to put less stress on the fibers. This leaves them straight and intact. These fibers can then be converted to longer fibers for creating fine yarns. Regular cotton generally has more splices. Pure Egyptian cotton can also be woven into finer square inch boxes as they have finer threads. This creates an overall finer and more finished fabric.

What’s the difference between Turkish cotton and Regular cotton?

Turkish cotton is a long-fiber cotton that grows in the Aegean region. On the first look, Turkish cotton might not look soft at all, as they aren’t as thick as some other towel materials available. However, once you touch it, you will realize how soft the material is. Since this material uses extra-long fibers, it has lesser joints in the weave of the fabric. This makes the Turkish cotton towels much softer and comfortable on the skin as compared to regular cotton towels. 

As we discussed above, Turkish cotton towels may not look at their part in being the most fluffy and soft towels available in the market. It is because these long fiber cotton towels are also very thin. This makes them extremely lightweight. This is an added advantage as it makes carrying Turkish towels for travel much more convenient than packing your regular cotton towel. The thinner material makes sure it takes up less space in your closet.

One of the features crucial to check for different kinds of cotton is their absorbency capabilities. Turkish towels can be very well used for cleaning up spills more quickly as they have great absorbency properties. Even when you wash after a shower, this towel will remove water on your skin relatively quickly, which would allow your face to dry faster. 

Truth be told, many materials are highly absorbent. Take Egyptian cotton, for instance. It has better absorbency as compared to Turkish cotton as well. Then, what makes Turkish cotton so important? It is because such cotton material dries quickly as compared to any other cotton material available. This is an added advantage as this makes it bacteria and humidity resistant. Turkish cotton also becomes softer with time. 

What is special about Turkish cotton?

Turkish cotton is special for hand towels as it has certain properties that other cotton lack. It has long cotton fibers, high absorbent properties and the ability to quickly dry as well. The high absorbent feature removes water from your face and hands much quicker than any other material available. The quick-drying nature allows the towel to dry quickly without having to worry about the towel being drenched in water for a long time. This makes it instantly reusable. The thinness and lightweight property of the material also allow it to be ideal for bathrobes and bath towels. The material feels comfortable on the skin. Moreover, they are easy to pack and carry whenever you have a trip planned. 

Considering the above factors, it is clear that Turkish cotton towels are better than Egyptian cotton towels. However, Egyptian cotton towels can be better used for sheets and bath towels. While Turkish towels can prove to be a little more expensive than Egyptian cotton towels, they offer comfort and ease of use for those extra bucks that you would really appreciate. I would recommend switching to Turkish towels based on all the added advantages it has. They also have a luxurious feel. There are other materials to explore, as well, such as microfiber and Pima cotton.