Terry Cloth
Cotton fabric woven with loops on one or both sides, creating a soft, highly absorbent pile. The standard fabric for towels, bathrobes, and poolside coverups. Some terry is knit rather than woven.
Material Score Breakdown
7-axis material rubric, not a garment verdict — see disclosure below.
How long the fabric lasts with regular use
Softness, feel against skin, wearability
Air flow and ventilation
Heat retention and insulation
Ability to pull sweat away from skin
Environmental impact of production and disposal
How easy it is to wash, dry, and maintain
Products with terry cloth
We don't have any terry cloth products in our catalog yet — it's a rare natural fiber. Here are top-rated natural alternatives:
Merino Cardigan
100% Merino Wool
Merino Long-Sleeve Sweater Polo
100% Merino Wool
Merino Sweater
100% Merino Wool
Merino Johnny-Collar Sweater Polo
100% Merino Wool
Slim Merino Ribbed Sweater
100% Merino Wool
Merino Crew-Neck Sweater
100% Merino Wool
What this score doesn't measure
This is a material rating, not a verdict on any specific garment made from terry cloth. The axes above are research-backed averages for the fiber itself.
- ×Construction. Yarn staple length, weave / knit structure, stitch count, finishing. Identical fiber, very different garments.
- ×Fabric weight (GSM). A 140 GSM tee and a 220 GSM tee made of the same terry cloth feel and last very differently.
- ×Dye + finishing chemicals. Beyond the three we flag (PFAS, formaldehyde, antimony), dozens of textile finishes aren't modelled.
Best For
Excellent comfort (75) and easy care (80) for daily wear
Good durability (60) and comfort (75) for office wear
Good comfort (75) and breathability (65) for sleeping
Detailed Use Case Scores
Pros
- ✓ Extremely absorbent — the gold standard for drying
- ✓ Soft and comfortable against skin
- ✓ Easy to wash and maintain — gets softer with each wash
- ✓ Affordable and widely available
Cons
- ✗ Heavy when wet — retains a lot of water weight
- ✗ Can harbor bacteria if not dried properly
- ✗ Loops can snag and pull — not the most durable weave
- ✗ Bulky — takes up storage space and takes long to dry
Better alternatives
Higher-scored natural materials. Same category — what to consider instead.
+30 vs Terry Cloth · 92/100
BiodegradableThe rarest and most expensive animal fiber in the world, from the vicuña of the Andes. Finer than cashmere, incredibly soft, warm, and lightweight. A single coat yields only 250g of usable fiber every 2-3 years.
+24 vs Terry Cloth · 86/100
BiodegradableUltra-fine wool from Merino sheep. Softer and less itchy than regular wool, with excellent temperature regulation and moisture management.
+20 vs Terry Cloth · 82/100
BiodegradableExtra-long-staple cotton historically grown in the West Indies (Barbados, Jamaica) and Sea Islands of Georgia/South Carolina. Among the rarest commercial fibers on earth — staple length up to 2.5", silky hand feel, intense color saturation when dyed. Used in heritage luxury shirting and bespoke menswear.
Care Guide
Special Notes
• Do not use fabric softener — reduces absorbency
• Use vinegar every few washes to restore absorbency
Additional Care Tips
- • Machine wash warm (40°C/105°F) — hot water for white towels
- • Tumble dry on medium heat — heat keeps loops fluffy
- • Do not use fabric softener — coats loops and reduces absorbency
- • Use white vinegar every 4-5 washes to remove buildup and restore absorbency
- • Wash towels separately from clothes with hooks/zippers to prevent snagging
Cost
$$$$$
Budget-friendly
Shrinkage
May shrink 2-5% — wash cold
Eco Rating
Moderate impact — consider eco alternatives