You would think your beach towel is just a colorful barrier between your backside and the sand, right? Wrong. That water-wicking blanket is actually an intricately designed instrument, fine-tuned to provide you with the best possible poolside experience. You might be surprised to learn that you may have been using it wrong all along. Beach towels have two distinct sides for two very different purposes, and they have absolutely no business in the bathroom. The side that will look most familiar is the one made for drying. It’s excellent for water removal, but less comfortable for sitting on. This surface is comprised of loops designed to wick away water. The reverse side’s main job is to provide you with a comfortable place to park your fanny. It’s soft, and it’s purpose is to face the sky. Typically, that’s the side that's adorned with an elaborate pattern. The reason you don’t want to keep a beach towel in the bathroom is because they tend to get water-logged and take forever to dry. By the way, when you’re finished rolling around in the sand, don’t throw your beach towel in the wash with fabric softener. It makes the surface of the fibers silky and less absorbent. So, the next time you need a beach towel, be sure to use it properly. Soft side up for relaxing, looped side in for drying. Dip, relax, repeat.
