Bathrobe instead of towel: drying off after a shower

Some people reach for a towel first after showering; others slip straight into their bathrobe and let it absorb the moisture. Using a bathrobe instead of a towel is comfortable, saves laundry and keeps you warm. Whether it works well, however, depends heavily on the fabric – and on a few habits around drying and washing. In this guide you will learn which bathrobe is suitable, what the everyday routine looks like and when a small towel still makes sense.

Contents9

1. How drying off in a bathrobe works
2. Which fabric is suitable for using a bathrobe instead of a towel?
3. Bathrobe instead of towel: pros and cons
4. The routine: how to use a bathrobe after showering
5. Who benefits most from this method
6. When a towel still makes sense
7. Washing and drying: keeping the robe fresh
8. Conclusion
9. Frequently asked questions

How drying off in a bathrobe works

When you dry off the classic way, you rub the water droplets off with a towel. In a bathrobe something different happens: the fabric rests on your damp skin and gradually absorbs the water while you move, brush your teeth or blow-dry your hair. After a few minutes you are dry without having rubbed.

For this to work, the fabric has to do two things: absorb moisture well and then dry again quickly. Cotton does both. Synthetic fibres such as polyester, on the other hand, absorb very little water – a cosy polyester robe is therefore better suited to warming up after you have already dried off.

Which fabric is suitable for using a bathrobe instead of a towel?

Fabric	Straight after showering?	Example from the shop
Heavy, textured cotton weave	Yes, dense and warm, dries more slowly	DOTWAVE bathrobe
Three-layer muslin	Yes, light and airy	Trimita with hood
Lightweight cotton	Yes, quick-drying	Trimita Barok
Polyester with a lambskin look	Rather not, better for warming up afterwards	HOMELEVEL reversible bathrobe

You will find a detailed overview of all materials in our article Bathrobe fabrics explained. Here we only look at which fabrics work well for drying off.

Heavy and cosy: DOTWAVE

The DOTWAVE bathrobe is made of 100 % cotton in a textured weave and weighs approx. 1.6–1.7 kg. It has a hood that wraps up wet hair at the same time and is available in sizes S to XXL. If you feel the cold easily in the morning, you will appreciate this dense robe. The downside: such a heavy fabric takes longer to dry again.

Light and airy: Trimita

The Trimita hooded bathrobes in Elephant and Zebra are made of three-layer muslin from 100 % Turkish cotton and are OEKO-TEX certified. The Trimita Barok bathrobe is made of lightweight cotton and, according to the product description, is quick-drying. Both are ideal if you use the robe every day and want it to be dry again by the next morning.

Bathrobe instead of towel: pros and cons

Whether this method suits you depends on your daily routine. An honest look at both sides:

• You do not get cold: You are wrapped up immediately – a real advantage in a cool bathroom, especially in winter.
• Less laundry: One item instead of two – provided you let the robe dry properly in between.
• Gentle on the skin: The fabric absorbs the moisture without you having to rub.
• Saves time: You can get ready at the same time.

There are also a few disadvantages:

• The robe gets damp: If you want to keep wearing it for a long time afterwards, it feels clammy.
• More frequent washing: It absorbs more moisture and skin flakes than a robe you only slip on.
• More space for drying: A bathrobe needs more space on the line than a towel.

The routine: how to use a bathrobe after showering

1. Let the water drip off briefly: While still in the shower, wipe off most of the water with your hands. Then the fabric has less to absorb.
2. Wrap your hair separately: A small towel for your hair stops the collar and back from getting soaked.
3. Dry your feet: With a towel or on the bath mat, so the hem stays dry.
4. Close the robe loosely: A loosely tied belt lets air circulate while the fabric still rests on your skin.
5. Change after a few minutes: As soon as you are dry, get dressed or change into a second, dry robe.
6. Hang it up straight away: Hang the robe up spread out, not crumpled on the hook.

Who benefits most from this method

Not everyone needs a bathrobe instead of a towel. But in some situations it makes life a lot easier:

• Cool bathrooms: In older flats or bathrooms without a radiator, it quickly gets uncomfortable after showering. If you are wrapped up immediately, you do not cool down.
• Busy mornings: While the fabric absorbs the moisture, you can make coffee, prepare sandwiches or wake the children.
• Sensitive skin: If you find vigorous rubbing unpleasant, you would rather pat yourself dry or let the fabric do the work.
• Fewer towels in the household: If you already own a bathrobe, you need fewer large bath towels for yourself.

When travelling, on the other hand, it can be easier to stick with a towel, because a bathrobe takes up a lot of room in the suitcase. A lightweight model is then the better choice. You can read more about this in our article Bathrobes for travel.

The right length

If you dry off in a robe, you want as much skin covered as possible. A robe that reaches at least to the knee also absorbs moisture on the legs. Sleeves that reach the wrist are practical but should not dangle in the sink while you brush your teeth. Which size fits is explained in our article Finding the right bathrobe size.

When a towel still makes sense

Even if you use a bathrobe instead of a towel, you will rarely manage entirely without a small towel. For your hair a light towel is more practical, such as the Diamant mini hammam towel measuring approx. 90 × 45 cm, which according to the description is also intended as a hair towel. How to wrap it into a turban is shown in our article Drying hair with a hammam towel turban. For your feet and between your toes, a towel is also more thorough.

If you apply a cream after showering, wait until your skin is dry. The VEGAN FOX Aloe Vera foot cream with 120 ml, for example, is a nice finishing touch for your feet before you slip into your socks.

Washing and drying: keeping the robe fresh

A bathrobe used after showering is under more strain than one you only wear for breakfast. The most important thing is that it can dry completely between uses. A robe folded away damp quickly smells musty.

• Two robes in rotation: If you shower every day, two robes work well. One is worn while the other dries or is in the wash.
• Wash regularly: With daily use, about one wash a week is a common guideline.
• Follow the care instructions: The DOTWAVE bathrobe is washed at 30 °C and may go in the dryer on a low setting, without fabric softener. The Trimita hooded robes are washed on a gentle cycle at 30 °C with a mild colour detergent. The Trimita Barok may be washed at a maximum of 30 °C and must not go in the dryer.

More care tips can be found in our article Caring for your bathrobe.

Related reading: Bathrobe in winter: which one keeps you warm at home? · Bathrobes for men: what to look for when buying · Dry skin in winter: how to shower and care for your skin

Conclusion

Using a bathrobe instead of a towel works well if the fabric is cotton: heavy and warm like the DOTWAVE, or light and quick-drying like the Trimita. A small towel remains practical for hair and feet. What matters is that the robe can dry spread out after each use and is washed regularly. Cosy polyester robes are best put on once you are already dry.

Frequently asked questions

Is it hygienic to dry off with a bathrobe?

Yes, as long as it dries completely in between and is washed regularly. A robe that is constantly damp should go in the wash more often.

Which bathrobe dries fastest?

Lightweight cotton and muslin dry faster than heavy, dense fabrics. According to the description, the Trimita Barok is quick-drying.

How many bathrobes do I need?

For daily use after showering, two in rotation have proven practical.

Is a fleece bathrobe good for drying off?

Hardly, because polyester absorbs little water. It is better suited to warming up once you are already dry.

Can I also wear my after-shower bathrobe in the sauna?

For the breaks, yes – lightweight cotton robes are popular for that. In the sauna cabin itself, however, you take a towel to sit or lie on.

See bathrobes

Personally written by Martin – founder of BeachAndSteam and sauna operator at Lake Kulkwitz for more than 18 years.