ON BUYING TOWELS

Shannon News, 8 January 1929, Page 4

ON BUYING TOWELS

ADVICE ON DULL BUT NECESSARY .SHOPPING.

Most brides start; their married life with a goodly-stock of, towels, but it is a mistake toput them, all into use : at the same time. The better plan is to take part into daily use, 'keep a second part as a reserve stock, to be drawn on an the towels in daily use wear out, and keep the very best for special < occasions. Then the reserve > stock as it is drawn upon should be replenished each year as sale time comes round. In this way it is never necessary to replace an entire household supply all at once, which is a very costly purchase.

It is not possible to lay down absolute rules as to the,numbers required, but /an average estimate would be an allowance, of three bath towels and four bedroom-towels a person for general use. ~;.-'■'•" .■>:■ '.'.,■■' Bath Towela. Bath towels are made in varying sizes,, textures and degrees of thickness. ;-Bath sheets are better avoided in the.long run, for they are not only expensive to begin, but heavy if washed at .home, iand ruinous if sent to the laundry. A couple, however, should bo kept in reserve, for- they are of considerable convenience in cases of illness. ..'Turkish bath towelling may be either of cotton or linen. The Vol ton kind is cheaper and softer, but not so durable as the linen variety. - The best Turkey towelling is woven with a double thread, and in the cheaper qualities the coarse weave of the material is apparent between -the pile when the towel is held up to the light. The entirely''white-towel is. not popular nowadays. The superior : qualities* of coloured towels have chenille-finish-ed ends, with designs so charming and varied that they may be selected to harmonise or match any bedroom or bathroom. The newest all-over coloured bath towels are known as rainbow towels, and they .are striped in varied pastel shades.- ■ Bedroom Towels.

Hand towels of linen arc always preferable to those of cotton. Their extra cost is-always compensated for by the longer wear, and they are much more absorbent. They are generally huckaback or diaper pattern, the latter being the softer. For everyday use a plain hem or a hem-stitched border is best. The more elaborate lands are embroidered at one or both ends and are embellished with a monogram or initial. But the desire for colour has invaded even this department, and some delightful towels are to be had i-i which there is a soft shaded border in blush rose just above the hem. A monogram in the same shade makes' these towels as original as they are attractive.

The sizes of bedroom towels vary considerably, but a good serviceable average will be found in 24 bv 40 inches.

* Small guests <" towels should be included in every household outfit, for.it makes a towel for every guest a matter of very little trouble in laundering at home or expense if sent out.