100% Egyptian Cotton Any Good?

[Spilchy]

I am in need of some 100% genuine, made in the USA, plush cotton 16x16 towels. I have those crappy import cotton ones for grunge and interior work.



I understand FieldCrest makes some good ones. But they are expensive.



However, I was in Costco and saw 100% Egyptian cotton towels with the cotton logo made by Martex that were cheap enough to buy. I want to know if this is ok?



I have the Koala towels from CMA, but want to buy something similar locally. I have the Viking 100% cotton towels (with the cotton logo) from the automotive store and they stink.



What can you guys tell me about finding genuine cotton towels and where do you get them??



What`s the idea of Turkish towels? Are they any good? Can you get them locally?



I just want to bolster my cotton towel collection a little bit.

[ZaneO]

I have been advised not to use the egyptian cotton. Heard it causes scratching.



My advise is not to skimp on towels. Try Supima cotton.



Fieldcrest is no longer being made. Linens `N` Things and Bed, Bath, and Beyond are both having clearances on them.

[JustinR32]

Spilchy,



Try the Martha Stewart 4 star hand towels from KMart, $4 or $5 each. They are as identical to Koala towels in weight and plushness as I can tell. The edges are tightly bound and do not scratch, and they are 100% cotton. I grab for them interchangeably with the Koalas, maybe even a little bit sooner.



I also got some from Bed, Bath, and Beyond, white Fieldcrest/Cannons 10 at a time all wrapped in a plastic cinch, for around $20. They aren`t as plush, but don`t scratch, and the edges are also well bound. I prefer a less plush towel for some jobs, like removing Meg`s waxes; the plush towels don`t bite as well.



Both of those towels pass the burn test and the CD test.



The ones you mention from Costco sound good, too, btw.



Tom

[medic159]

Egyptian cotton is a type of cotton grown in the Carolinas and some off shore islands (Sea Island Cotton.) It is also known as Pima cotton or Supima Cotton. It was imported into Egypt in the 1800`s and the name Egyptian cotton began to stick.



It is generally cosidered to be one of the softest cotton varieties.



Be careful and read the labels, if the label says cotton loops or cotton strands for instance the base may be polyester. Be sure it only says 100% Cotton.

[Spilchy]

Thanks fellas! I appreciate the feedback. I have a 20% off coupon for BB&B and I leave near a KMart so I`ll check both!



:xyxthumbs

[rstype]

As far as cotton towels go, I like Egyptian the most because they stay acceptably soft. Towels like Fieldcrest Charismas are nice, plush, and won`t scratch, but I just don`t like how they`re not soft when washed. It`s a feel thing, I guess.

[tom p.]

Egyptian cotton had been considered the finest cotton available anywhere at one time. Maybe that`s not the case any longer...dunno.



I bought 5 of Fieldcrest`s hi-end towel a few years ago. They have held up very well but certainly are NOT as soft as they used to be. The towels, hand-size, are starting to show some snags and I may retire them soon. They leave way too much lint/fibre on the paintwork for my taste. I only use them for drying.



I am very excited about Ranney`s towels and am putting together a custom order with him as we speak.

[ZaneO]

I guess you learn something new all the time.

[jmsc]

with the demise of Canon Fieldcrest, some Zaino distr are selling the Martex Atelier 100% Cotton Made in USA towels and from a local detailer the very expensive Ralph Lauren 100% cotton towels are recommended in lieu of the Charisma Selects.



Anyone try either one of these?

[Lowejackson]

As with many thing, there is the genuine article which is normally expensive and there are similar items, normally cheaper. The real Egyptian cotton is expensive and is of a very high quality. Egypt will also export medium and cheap quality products.

[medic159]

Originally posted by Lowejackson

...The real Egyptian cotton is expensive and is of a very high quality. Egypt will also export medium and cheap quality products.



Keep in mind though that Eqyptian cotton does not necessarily come from Egypt. Many ELS cottons (long staple) come from Peru, Georgia, islands off the shore of several southern states, and other places. I buy my cotton yarns in the US and they are still called Eqyptian, sometimes Pima, sometimes Supima depending on the supplier.



By the way, a little tidbit of info for those curious: The term Pima cotton is named after the Pima Indians of Arizona (I think Arizona) who grew experimental cottons for the US Dept. of Agriculture.

[Spilchy]

Well I went back and looked at the Martex towels again at Costco.



It said:



"100% Egyptian Cotton. 100% Egyptian Cotton Loops"



So, I don`t know if this means if the base is made of polyester as DFTowel suggests. Or if the first 100% cotton wording means the base is made of cotton and not polyester.



Anyone?? :nixweiss

[Spilchy]

I was in Bed Bath & Beyond and they have a sign listing in order the quality of cotton



From lowest to highest:



100% Cotton Loop



100% Pima Cotton



100% Egyptian Cotton



100% Micro Cotton



The Micro Cotton is awesome and the most expensive.



They have a nice selection of Egyptian Cotton and Pima Cotton Made in the USA towels on sale at 40% off! The hand towels are a nice size.



I saw the FieldCrest / Canon towels in a 6 pack for $9.99 (mentioned above in another post by Mosca). They are "100% Cotton" (that`s all it said) but made in India and seemed cheap feeling.



The FieldCrest Micro Cotton was unbelievable! There was another brand too, Made in England from undyed, natural color fabric. Both were the nicest, but the most expensive. I`ll wait for a sale to buy a few to add to the collection. They were top of the line.



I had like 6 different towels lined up, feeling each one, reading the labels, examining the backing, etc... for like 30 minutes! The sales girl folding towels asked why I was examining each one so carefully. I said it was for detailing cars and she burst out laughing :D

[jmsc]

When you say expensive, what are we talking about here?



What exactly is Micro Cotton?

[tomstin]

I was in Bed Bath and Beyond a few weeks back checking out with a handfull of white towels. The lady behind me says "I guess you don`t have kids in the house!" We both laughed, I didn`t have the heart to tell her they were for the car! I do agree the Fieldcrest towels don`t seem to stay soft after a few washes. However, I did try a few store brand towels, and they got thin and rough after a VERY few washes. You get what you pay for!