Technology - Textile Standards
Textile Standards Explained
Understanding textile standards is essential for making informed and confident product decisions.
Behind every towel or bed linen, there are measurable benchmarks that define how the textile will perform, feel, and last over time.
This section brings together the most relevant and widely accepted standards for towels, bed linens, and bath textiles — focusing only on factors that truly matter in real-life use, not marketing exaggerations.
The values and ranges presented here are practical reference points rather than rigid formulas.
They are intended to help distinguish between basic acceptability and genuine, long-term quality — supporting smarter choices for both home and professioal use.
Textile Technology - Standards
GSM & Weight Standards
GSM (grams per square meter) shows how heavy a fabric is, but more importantly, how it behaves in daily use.
Different environments require different weight ranges, and the right balance leads to comfort, durability, and proper performance.
Towels — Hotel Use
< 3-star hotels: < 380 GSM
3-star hotels: 380–450 GSM
4-star hotels: 450–550 GSM
5-star hotels: 550–650 GSM
> 5-star hotels: > 650 GSM
Towels — Home Use
Economic: 350–420 GSM
Standard: 420–520 GSM
Luxury: 550–700 GSM
Bed Linens
Flat sheet: 110–150 GSM
Fitted sheet: 120–160 GSM
Duvet cover: 120–160 GSM
A higher GSM is not always better; the right weight must match the purpose and the density of the weave.
Technology - Textile Standards
Shrinkage
Shrinkage is a natural behavior of textiles, especially cotton. The goal is not to eliminate it, but to keep it within a controlled and acceptable range after repeated washing.
Accepted Shrinkage Levels
• Cotton towels & linens: 3–7%
• Bamboo / Modal blends: 2–4%
• Microfiber: 0–2%
Within these ranges, textiles maintain their fit, comfort, and proportions consistently over time.
Textile Technology - Standards
Color Fastness Standards
Color fastness measures how well a fabric retains its color during washing and everyday use.
In hotel laundering—where processes are more intensive—high stability becomes essential.
Recommended Grades:
(Color fastness is graded from 1 to 5, where 5 is the best.)
• Industrial washing (hotel): 4–5
• Home washing: 4–5
Products below grade 4 are generally not suitable for long-term use.
Technology - Textile Standards
Standard Sizes
Standard sizing keeps products compatible with beds, pillows, towel rails, and common market expectations.
The sizes below represent widely used measurements in European and Turkish markets; they are not the only options available, but they reflect the most reliable references for everyday and commercial use.
Towels
• Face towel: 30 × 50 cm
• Hand towel: 50 × 90 cm
• Bath towel: 70 × 140 cm
• Bath sheet (luxury): 90 × 150 cm
• Bath mat: 50 × 70 cm
Bed Linens
• Pillowcase: 50 × 70 cm
• Flat sheet (Single): 160 × 240 cm
• Flat sheet (Double): 220 × 240 cm
• Duvet cover (Single): 160 × 220 cm
• Duvet cover (Double): 200 × 220 cm
These measurements may vary slightly by region or manufacturer, but they provide a dependable guide to the most common standards used worldwide.
Textile Technology - Standards
Pile Height Standards (Towels)
Pile height—the length of the loops on a towel—affects softness, absorbency, and durability.
Different uses benefit from different heights.
Shorter piles provide greater durability in industrial washing, while longer piles offer increased softness and volume.
Recommended Ranges:
Hotel towels: 6–8 mm
Home type: 7–10 mm
Luxury towels: 10–14 mm
Technology - Textile Standards
Bed Linens
Thread Count (TC)
Thread count indicates how many yarns are woven into one square inch of fabric.
Although often emphasized in marketing, true quality depends not only on TC but also on the fiber type and the weaving method.
Practical TC Levels
• Hotel range: 120–200 TC
• Home standard: 180–250 TC
• Luxury home: 250–400 TC
Counts above 400 rarely offer meaningful improvement and may reflect exaggerated or blended measurements.
Textile Technology - Standards
Sources & References
Standards are not rigid rules; they are guides that help each textile find its proper place.
When weight, shrinkage, color stability, size, pile height, and thread count are balanced with good materials and proper weaving, the result is a product that feels right from the first touch and stays reliable over time.
These benchmarks simplify decisions and ensure that any collection—whether for home or hotel—is built on clarity, confidence, and lasting quality.
Sources & References
• ISO 6330:
Domestic washing and drying procedures for textile testing (PDF)
• ISO 105-A01:
General principles of colour fastness testing (PDF)
• ISO 105-X16:
Colour fastness to rubbing (crocking) – Small areas (PDF)
• AATCC:
Quality control catalog (mentions Gray Scales EP1/EP2 and related QC items) (PDF)
• AATCC:
Gray Scale for Color Change (practical reference sheet) (PDF)
• Towel Guide:
(GSM ranges + practical explanation) – Home Depot (PDF)
• Pile height and terry fabric:
Relationship to absorbency/quality (PDF)
• Selecting sheets for restful sleep:
University of Kentucky - Thread count explained; “higher isn’t always better” (PDF)
• Consumer Reports:
Some thread counts are bogus (PDF reprint)
• CottonWorks:
• Australian Cotton:
Features & Benefits of Cotton (PDF)
• Cotton Australia:
