Guide: How Many Towels Does One Home Need?

We live in a wet, wet world – and we’re not talking about the weather. From bath time to spilled milk to freshly washed dishes, there’s a reason we created the most absorbent towels on the market – cause every household needs them.

But how many towels does one household need? While we’re prone to err on the side of All The Towels, there are some basic rules of thumb for perfectly stocking your home. So whether you’re seasoned home manager looking for a refresh or just stocking your first home, we’ve got your guide for the most indispensable household towels – and a few suggestions on curating the perfect stacks all year round.  

Kitchen (Tea) Towels

There’s a reason we built our business around the kitchen towel. These little workhorses are essential linens that serve a variety of tasks in and around the kitchen. When selecting kitchen towels, you want something super absorbent that can stand up to big spills, wet dishes and sticky counter tops. And since kitchen towels are generally conveniently located, they tend to double as hot pads for removing items from the oven or stove, or an apron for messy hands. 

Because they’re so generally useful, we recommended having at least 10 kitchen towels in your drawer. Since you may use up to two at once, this will help ensure you’ve always got a fresh, laundered pair ready when you need it. Of course, if you take a peek at our new collections and collabs, you might realize pretty quickly it’s difficult to stop at just 10!

Bar Towels

Bar towels are similar to kitchen towels in that they can serve a number of purposes, but they are primarily designed for use in a home bar or on glass and drinkware. They are made from absorbent materials like cotton or microfiber (like ours!), which effectively remove water spots and fingerprints from glass surfaces – helping your drinkware shine!

Depending on how you use your bar towels, you’ll want at least 5-6 in your kitchen or bar. If you entertain guests frequently, or have a dedicated bar area, you may want 8-10. 

Dishcloths

Forget the rags, dishcloths shouldn’t be left to old discards. Used for washing dishes, cleaning countertops and wiping spills in the kitchen, you’ll want highly absorbent materials like microfiber – and since these cloths are often wet, you’ll also want something that dries very quickly. 

While these cloths are highly utilitarian, there’s no reason they can’t speak to your design aesthetic too! We suggest keeping at least a dozen dishcloths in your drawer. Because they tend to star in your home’s messiest messes, they need frequent laundering – so be sure you have plenty on standby. 

Washcloths

A friend to soap and an enemy to makeup, washcloths are non-negotiable in any bathroom. The perfect size for holding in your hand to scrub your face and body, be sure you choose cloths that are soft and quick to dry – as they’ll spend most of their lives wet. 

Depending on your own personal care routine, you’ll want 4-5 washcloths per family member to make sure everyone has a clean one on hand. For household members who aren’t using cloths to wash their face, you may only need 2 per person. 

Hand Towels

If we’ve learned anything since 2020, it’s that clean hands are a necessity of life! And with all that handwashing, you’ll want hand towels that are absorbent and quick to dry, like our lovely chenille collection. 

Since hand towels are frequently in use, you’ll want to change them out often. We recommend having 3-4 per bathroom so you can hang a fresh one at a moment’s notice. If you frequently have guests, or have a highly trafficked bathroom, you may want to increase this number. 

Bath Towels

Designed for daily use in a majorly personal way, you’ll want to make sure your bath towels are absorbent, quick to dry and soft to the touch (like our luxurious chenille version). Bath towels are made from various materials, including cotton, bamboo and microfiber, each with its benefits. For example, cotton towels are known for their softness and absorbency, while microfiber towels are quick-drying and lightweight.

Each household member should have at least 2-3 bath towels. This allows for a fresh towel to be used while the others are in the laundry. Additionally, it's always a good idea to have a few extra bath towels on hand for guests.

If your household towel game could use a refresh, we gotchu! Our newest collections are full of design inspo, while our products are ready to work! Try our latest designs today!