It’s true — and once you know it, you can’t un-see it 😄
What those lines on bath towels actually mean
The striped band you see near the ends of most bath towels is called a dobby border (or woven border), and it’s there for a few practical reasons:
🧵 Prevents fraying
The tightly woven band reinforces the towel edges so they don’t unravel after repeated washing.
💧 Improves absorbency where it matters
The border controls the towel’s thickness, helping the rest of the towel stay plush and absorbent instead of getting bulky or uneven.
🧺 Helps towels keep their shape
It reduces stretching and curling at the ends, so towels dry flatter and last longer.
🏷️ Aids folding & identification
It gives manufacturers (and you!) a visual guide for folding, hanging, or distinguishing towel sizes.
✨ Style bonus
Originally functional, it became a design feature so towels look more finished and uniform.
Fun fact
Those lines are not for drying your face, not a decoration accident, and not leftover from cutting fabric — they’re intentional engineering.
If you want, I can also explain:
- Why towels stop absorbing over time
- The right way to wash towels so they stay fluffy
- What the loops on towels actually do
Just say the word 👌
