Where to buy towels that don't shed?
Posted by luucif3r@reddit | AskUK | View on Reddit | 67 comments
I've been living in the UK on and off since late 2020 - and still, somehow, I have yet to find towels that don't shed everywhere. All my current ones are form ASDA (George Home) and Primark - which yes, I know it's a cheap brand, but I've brought from them back in my home country and never had this issue. I also remember buying one from Amazon too, but it turned out to be an ultra soft bath sheet, which I hate because I somehow feel wetter after using them.
I'm sure I've tried other brands before, I just don't remember which.
I was recommended John Lewis and TK Maxx next, but I'm trying to get as much information before commiting because british towels are remarkably expensive. Upon browsing the reviews on their website, a lot of John Lewis' towels actually seem to shed. Some models and colors seemingly don't, but it seems like a bit of a gamble.
I've also heard good things about Tesco's towels, but it's hard to believe it given I was told the same about ASDA's.
Does anyone have any recommendations?
Chance-Bread-315@reddit
I genuinely don't think I've ever experienced a towel shedding?? Think some of mine are also asda and some are ikea
luucif3r@reddit (OP)
Didn't think about IKEA. I might try that as well, thanks!!
Loud_Narwhal7721@reddit
I have 10 year old towels from ikea that are still going strong!
notouttolunch@reddit
And here you are again - ikea do not sell quality products!
Chance-Bread-315@reddit
Who, me??
luucif3r@reddit (OP)
Tf do you mean here you are again, this is my post 💀 I beg you to find something better to do with your time, it's embarrassing.
blankspacebaby12@reddit
God no, do not buy towels from IKEA!
SignificantIsopod797@reddit
Really? I’ve found them pretty good. Am I just used to bad towels?
Chance-Bread-315@reddit
I'm wondering the same... Growing up in the 90s/00s all our towels at home were ancient. My asda ones seems relatively luxurious and I can't lie I don't mind a thin ikea towel!
Fluffy towels are for spas & hotels IMO, not something I'm bothered about having at home.
blankspacebaby12@reddit
In my experience they are too thin, dont dry well and dont last well!Â
NrthnLd75@reddit
Shedless Towels Inc. at the big shed retail park.
halfthewordsarewrong@reddit
My favourite bath towel is still the one I brought with me to the UK, around 2021, and itself at least two decades old I think.
The next best is probably one I bought from the John Lewis ANYDAY range.
We have a bunch of hand towels that we bought from Next, Dunhelm, and George. They were all fine or fine after the first wash, but prone to loose threads.
Had a Primark one which I threw out because it never stopped shedding. Ever.
Lessarocks@reddit
I buy all mine from TK Maxx
DennisDunkdalk@reddit
Never owned or known a towel to shed
Gornal-Annie6133@reddit
Buy quality towels and they’ll last years. I buy from M&S now but I have some Christy towels some of which are over 20 years old and still in beautiful condition.
Livid-Needleworker65@reddit
I have both Christy's and M&S towels and have found the M&S ones to be much better. The added bonus is that they are also cheaper.
luucif3r@reddit (OP)
Well it's not like I haven't been trying :') I'll try M&S, thank you.
efitchuk@reddit
My sister had towels from M&S and they were shedding so badly after multiple washes she got rid of them! I have Next towels and haven’t had any shedding problems with them over the years I’ve been buying them.
notouttolunch@reddit
Not really. You list the nation's most primitive real supermarket and a throwaway fashion retailer. You've literally picked the cheapest things available.
I think my towels must be over 10 years old and they're still absolutely fine. They did not come from a supermarket.
luucif3r@reddit (OP)
Well sorry to inform you, I come from a country where towels are of actual qualilty regardless of where you buy them. Your response reeks of classism with that "primitive". Sorry I'm not willing to pay over than 25 pounds for a bath towel like you. 😊
notouttolunch@reddit
If you're not willing to pay for a quality product, don't complain when it doesn't last. What is stupid response. Classism 😂 FFS.
GrabbedByTheGhost@reddit
What's they're saying is they come from somewhere where you don't NEED to shell out for a decent towel, because even the cheap ones are better than our shit.
luucif3r@reddit (OP)
Exactly, thank you lol. Plus, it's not like I've been willingly been avoiding the "better" places - it's just that they're not only often incredibly expensive, but their reviews still seem pretty mixed, and I don't wanna commit 40+ pounds to a product of potencially faulty qualilty. It's exactly why I posted here, but honestly I shouldn't have bothered.
GrabbedByTheGhost@reddit
People have been manipulated by marketing to think you have to spend a fortune on luxury level items to guarantee quality. You don't.
luucif3r@reddit (OP)
Yep. Like none of our towels back in my home country were particularly expensive, and we've had some for nearly 30 years.
nathderbyshire@reddit
But people are also telling you their cheap shit hasn't shredded and been wrecked, there's still something else going on. Like them, I have old ass cheap IKEA towels I got nearly 10 years ago. They're worn and I'm looking for new ones as well ,but they've never shredded or fallen apart after all these years
Do you have an example from your country you can show us for reference?
luucif3r@reddit (OP)
So if my response is "stupid", what's one to make of yours? You literally came here to brag about your luxury, high quality towels, 10 year old towels, not bought in a "primitive" supermarket. Like okay? Hurray, want a cookie? What a fking idiot 💀
Psychological-Bag272@reddit
I think you misunderstood the original commenter and got offended for no reason.Â
Quality comes at different prices in different country. If towels from your country are cheap and better quality, ship them over. Easy solution. I am a foreigner living here and have done the same for products I can't find here.Â
luucif3r@reddit (OP)
Or maybe you just lack reading skills.
DameKumquat@reddit
Christy aren't what they were. I got some about 8 years ago and they only lasted about 4 years before going to the dogs' home.
I also have some Christy towels which are a bit frayed round the edges but my mum got them as a wedding present in 1960... They're lovely.
Magic_mousie@reddit
I have towels from Asda and Dunelm and other places I forget, and none of them shed. Not even the real cheapies. So I don't know what your machine is doing to them?
The ultra soft ones need a wash first, without fabric conditioner. They're never very absorbent straight from the shop, but they're nice afterwards.
luucif3r@reddit (OP)
You might be on to something, because I find it confusing how people can have such widely opposite experiences using the exact same product...
I'll try Dunelm next!!
LumpyCheeseyCustard@reddit
Check the spin on the machines, make sure its not too high.
Dont use fabric conditioner with towels, it makes them hard, instead use white vinegar (it doesn't smell!)
rustynoodle3891@reddit
Yeah I live on my own I'll never have just a towel wash!
Pedantichrist@reddit
That does not force you to put fabric softener into a wash that has a towel in it.
Baby8227@reddit
I second the white vinegar thing and no fabric softener. It’s horrible stuff!
IansGotNothingLeft@reddit
All of mine are Dunelm and I can't say I've noticed any shedding. The colours do fade over time, but that's usual with fabrics. Good luck!
Commercial-Bat-4534@reddit
Yeah those big industrial machines destroy everything including my old towels when I lived in a residence
It's probably not the towels and I wouldn't risk it with any expensive towels, but try to get a less fluffy looking variety and more woven, it may stand a chance
luucif3r@reddit (OP)
Noted, thanks!!
Magic_mousie@reddit
Those are big, violent machines!
luucif3r@reddit (OP)
Well what other options do I have really 😠Not sure if my local laundrette would be better?
jamnut@reddit
My wife got me a Dunelm towel for my birthday (I wanted one, was never gonna buy one myself) and it's the best towel I've ever had
wlsb@reddit
I've bought five towels from Dunelm and treated them all the same. One of them sheds.
wybird@reddit
Woods
SchmingusBingus@reddit
£190 for a bath sheet is a tad excessive
wybird@reddit
£105 for the linen, but yes if you want the best quality it’s not cheap.
luucif3r@reddit (OP)
Got scared by some of the pricing, but then found some more accessible ones. Thanks!!
Lookatthatderp@reddit
Yeah my John Lewis ones bought two years ago shed like crazy. Very disappointed from such a brand.
ThatThingInTheCorner@reddit
I never have a problem with Dunelm towels, especially the Egyptian cotton ones
FelisCantabrigiensis@reddit
My towels are the standard "Egyptian Cotton Towels" from John Lewis and they don't shed.
ColdAppointment3917@reddit
My george ones ive had over 6years and they have only just started to have loose threads
snarkmaiden5@reddit
Tesco or sainsburys ones have been fine for me. Never noticed any shedding
Nirnroot_Enjoyer@reddit
You have to go for something fairly premium, I'm afraid..
But it's best to go for white/cream/beige colours, in order to minimise the appearance bof nah potential shedding..
M&S, next some to mind. I think we had a load from Debenhams that were good.
whiskeydumplings@reddit
Ikea. Will never use another brand after using theirs.
Eskarina_W@reddit
I bought cheap ikea ones that are terrible. Can you share the specific ones you got maybe as they have a range of different ones.
whiskeydumplings@reddit
VÅGSJÖN
Eskarina_W@reddit
Thanks
External-Praline-451@reddit
John Lewis does the job and they'll last you for years. If you wait till there's a sale, you can get some more affordable ones. I've bought nice, quality bed linen and towels there, but always in the sale for a good bargain!
politetemper@reddit
I went to a hen do a while ago and we all raved about the towels at the Airbnb we stayed at. They were from Matalan. I feel like matalan is sometimes forgotten about
Etheria_system@reddit
I have some from M&S and some from John Lewis and they both fantastic - have had them for years and years (some of the towels were a wedding gift back in 2009 and are still going strong)
Suitable-Fun-1087@reddit
M&s towels are great
thecraftybee1981@reddit
Here are some tips to prevent shedding. https://www.christy.co.uk/blogs/lifestyle/how-to-stop-towels-from-shedding-5-simple-tips-tricks?srsltid=AfmBOoqk_UklgVFZAdLJXO_pRPVHZAAGG3K6VrmZ5vgBSyaGXw6eWV9f
I tend to follow these (except the freeze/cold water bit) and I don’t think I’ve noticed much shedding over the years.
neilm1000@reddit
I have some Primark ones that are great. Luck of the draw maybe.
mcglash@reddit
Dunelm. Get the hotel range. Or the one wirh waffle on one side.
luucif3r@reddit (OP)
I'll check that out, thanks!!
Icy-Kaleidoscope9894@reddit
Other than maybe before/during the first wash I have never had a towel shed once in my life from cheap shite to kinda nice John Lewis or equivalent so I have no idea what to tell you
AutoModerator@reddit
Please help keep AskUK welcoming!
When replying to submission/post please make genuine efforts to answer the question given. Please no jokes, judgements, etc. If a post is marked 'Serious Answers Only' you may receive a ban for violating this rule.
Don't be a dick to each other. If getting heated, just block and move on.
This is a strictly no-politics subreddit!
Please help us by reporting comments that break these rules.
I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.