My question is:
What will you do with them AFTER this drying comparison testing is done??
Underwriter`s Lab or Consumer`s Report doesn`t have as an "extensive" list like this. Here are some things to consider in doing objective testing.
1) Measuring the actual physical weight of each towel and then it`s "wet weight" to determine it`s absorption-to-material weight ability scale. A pre-determined mathematical formula/equation to calculate a test number/value is a more "objective" (IE scientifically quantifiable) methodology to accurately and equitably compare towel-to-towel. (I`d swear resident Autopian scientist Kevin Brown is writing/typing this!!)
2) You will also not be able to determine long-term durability without doing number drying cycles and how it`s absorption ability is retained. This also includes its dry weight after many drying cycles, and one that looses its weight significantly is one that I would think "lints or sheds" a lot.
3) Lastly is the cost factor-to- absorption ability. An inexpensive towel that only picks up 75% of what a top-absorption towel will do may be a better `value" if you divide the dollar cost by the wet weight, again as objective number to use as a comparison.
I say this because most comparison tests are subjective in nature, meaning they are subject to the personal opinions and evaluations and judgments of the person viewing the results. Like asking which wax is the shiniest. An identical wax on a white car may not "look" the same on a black car right next to it. Or if different waxes were applied to the same color and make of car, lighting will play tricks on a person`s eyes as to what may be deemed "shiniest". My point is there are many factors/variables in doing comparison testing. Mitigating those variables are the tester`s responsibility.
That said, regardless of how you do your testing and present your results, you are to be commended for undertaking such a task. I, and I am sure ALOT of other Autopians, are interested to find out what this comparison testing will discover and reveal about drying towels.
