10s vs 16s towels: Lightweight terry towels. Between the two, 16s towels are softer, while 10s towels are coarser. 10s are usually considered an economy type.
Bathrobe: a coat made of various cloths such as microfiber and cotton. These are made to be loosely fitted and are tied with a belt. Often used in hotels, spas, resorts etc.
Bed bug encasements: made from stretch knit fabric, they provide comfortable sleep and prevent the smallest of bed bugs from getting into the mattress.
Bedspread: a layer which is used on the bed for either warmth or decoration. Depending on the season, the bedspread can be lightweight and used on top of a sheet during summer, or heavy and warm during the winter months.
Bleaching: A process of whitening fibers, yarns, or fabrics by removing the natural and artificial impurities to obtain clear whites.
Bleach-Resistant towels: these towels are resistant to damage when washed with bleach. This means they will not fade, making them ideal for use in salons and spas.
Bleeding: Refers to the bleeding of the color upon wetting the dyed fabric, and the color unintentionally transferring onto other items. Dyeing with Vat dyes helps in preventing this problem.
Blend: A blended fabric is one which consists of more than one type of fiber.
Blended Towels:86/14 Blended Towels are a blend of 86% cotton and 14% polyester. This specific blend gives the towels a soft feel yet durable finish through multiple washes.
Cabana Towels: These towels are extra-large, quick drying, lightweight, and sand proof.
Cam Border/Double Cam Border: Cam border is a textured border, usually an inch or two away from the edge of the towel. It is usually simple in design, as opposed to the Dobby border which has a styled pattern and it’s more decorative. Double cam border refers to 2 cam borders which are parallel to each other and about 1 inch away from each other.
Comforter: A large encasement of fabric filled with soft fibers such as silk, wool, cotton or polyester.
Cotton: The fiber is almost pure cellulose, and can contain minor percentages of waxes, fats, pectins, and water. Most commonly used natural material in the textile industry.
Dobby towels: Dobby towels have a border which is flattened. That flattened border usually has some form of design or pattern within it, making it a luxurious quality towel. Often it is seen in hotels, resorts, spas, and other hospitality settings.
Dozen: Commonly used word when referring to a quantity, meaning “a group of 12”. For example, one dozen sheets are 12 sheets, or 12 pieces. Half a dozen refers to a group of 6.
Draw Sheet: Small bed sheet placed across the middle of the bed. Mostly used in healthcare facilities to help move the patients.
Duvet Cover: Used to protect the duvet. Usually made out of cotton or polyester, it is easily removable and washable.
Duvet: duvets are big blankets filled with down feathers and provide optimum warmth and comfort. Essentially tying the look of a bed set together.
Fitted Sheet: a woven sheet with elastic around the edges to tightly fit a mattress. The elastic band can wrap around the edge of the entire sheet, or it can be in each of the corners of the sheet.
Flannel: is a soft, medium-weight fabric that has a napped, fuzzy finish on one or both sides. It is used for fabrics for clothing, bedsheets, and blankets.
Flat sheet: Is a thin layered woven sheet between the blanket and the bed. They can also simply be used to line the mattress.
Fleece material: is a non-woven material typically made from polyester. Fleece can trap heat, is lightweight, yet still breathable.
Glass towel: It is a high quality Microfiber towel that is also lint-free.
GSM (Gram per meter square): Fabric GSM means the weight of one square meter fabric in grams. GSM is also written as gm/m2.
Hemming: is a process of finishing the edges of a fabric with a fold and sewing, creating a border look.
Knitted sheet: A sheet made out of knitted fabric. It could be made of a pure fiber or a blend of fibers. This sheet is stretchy and most commonly used in healthcare settings.
Makeup remover towels: made from 100% cotton and remarkably resistant to stains, making them a perfect makeup remover towel. The bleach resistant feature allows for no fading from chemicals in makeup products.
Mattress pads: Are lightly lined sheets which sit under a fitted sheet. They come in fitted contour styles or an elastic anchor band style.
Microfiber: is made up of very fine synthetic fibers.
Patient gowns: used as clothing for hospital patients to provide necessary modesty as well as comfort.
Percale sheets: A medium weight, plain weave, low to medium thread count (180 to 250 threads per square inch), tightly-woven fabric.
Pilling: is a worn out appearance fabric, usually wool. Appears as fuzzy balls on the surface of fabric.
Pillow protector: a layer usually between the pillow and pillow case. Protecting the pillow from stains, spills, and wear and tear. Usually with a flap or a zipper closure.
Pillowcases/Slips: are designed to be slipped over a pillow to maintain hygiene or simply for aesthetic reasons. Most commonly made with an envelope style closure where it is simply tucked over the edge of the pillow. Alternatively, it may have a zipper closure.
Polyester: A synthetic fabric used in textiles. It is resistant to shrinking, stretching and wrinkling, making it highly durable.
Pool towel: A slightly larger towel, which allows a full wrap around. These are 100% cotton and highly absorbent.
Quilted mattress protector: a fitted sheet with light filling to line it. Primarily used for comfort and minimal protection from liquid spills.
Ring spun: is essentially the combing of cotton. The cotton fibers are spun to remove the smallest impurities to provide a luxurious soft feel.
Shop towels/Kitchen towels: Are created for absorbency and durability. They are 100% cotton and are designed to be washed easily over and over again.
Terry Towels vs Shop Towels or Kitchen towels: Terry towel is a fabric woven with many protruding loops of thread. Shop towels or kitchen towels are also woven fabrics but do not have protruding loops on top.
Thread count: is the measure of how many threads are woven into one square inch of fabric. That means the higher the thread count, the higher the quality. Most hospitality and healthcare linens range from thread counts of T-130 - T300.
Throws: decorative blankets used for comfort. Usually thrown on top of the bed or a couch for quick access, or simply as a decoration.
Vat dye: class of dyes that are the most important for dyeing on cotton and cellulose fibers. Vat dyeing is more expensive than reactive dyeing.
Wool: a warm fabric obtained from sheep or other animals, used in textile items such as hats, coats, blankets and clothing.
Woven & Knitted Fabrics: The main difference between the two is how they are constructed. Woven fabric requires multiple threads crossing each other at right angles while knitted fabric requires looping through single yarns.