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What is the difference between hand towels and face towels? The main difference between hand towels and face towels lies in their intended use and the properties of the paper. Hand towels are designed to quickly absorb larger amounts of water while maintaining sufficient strength when drying wet hands. Face towels are primarily designed for softness and more comfortable contact with sensitive skin.
According to europeantissue.com, the trade association representing European tissue paper manufacturers, hand towels used in commercial facilities directly reduce the number of bacteria on hands after washing, while paper face towels do not serve this hygiene function because they are not part of the hand-drying process.
If you would like to learn which other hand-drying towels are available, read our detailed guide on the topic: Paper towels in commercial facilities: Everything you need to know about types, savings and hygiene.
What are hand towels and face towels made from?
Manufacturers make hand towels and face towels from the same basic raw material- cellulose, or wood pulp. The difference comes from the choice of fibres, the number of plies and the additives that give the product strength or softness. Although they may look similar, manufacturers adapt the entire production process to different purposes: one for friction and moisture on the hands, the other for sensitive facial skin.
Where are hand towels used?
Hand towels are used in public and commercial washrooms, kitchens and production facilities, always together with a dispenser. People use them to dry wet hands after washing, often in high-traffic environments such as hotels, restaurants, shopping centres, schools and healthcare facilities.
Where are face towels used?
Commercial environments such as beauty salons, spas, hair salons and hotel rooms use face towels where direct contact with facial skin is an everyday requirement. Businesses rarely place them in shared washrooms because manufacturers do not design them for dispensers or high user traffic in the same way as hand towels.
How are hand towels and face towels packaged?
Manufacturers package hand towels in rolls or stacks containing several hundred sheets, with multiple packs in each box for easier warehouse storage. Manufacturers package face towels in cardboard boxes containing 100 to 150 sheets for direct use from a table or shelf rather than from a dispenser.
What mistakes do companies make when mixing hand towels and face towels in commercial facilities?
A common mistake is planning purchases without distinguishing between different consumption rates. Hand towels are used much faster because of high user traffic, yet companies order the same quantities of both products. Another mistake is storing them in the same area of the warehouse without clear labelling, which leads to packaging mix-ups and incorrect deliveries to the site.
Do hand towels and face towels have different environmental impacts?
Yes. Manufacturers more often make hand towels from recycled fibres because their intended use does not require virgin cellulose. Face towels, due to direct contact with the skin, usually require cleaner raw materials, which makes them a slightly less environmentally efficient choice compared with hand towels intended for the same purpose.
Table: Hand towels and face towels – main differences
| Characteristic | Hand towels | Face towels |
| Primary purpose | Drying wet hands | Wiping the face and nose |
| Softness | Designed for efficient hand drying | Softer and gentler on facial skin |
| Wet strength | Higher | Usually lower |
| Absorbency | Designed to absorb water from wet hands | Designed for smaller amounts of moisture |
| Packaging | Folded sheets or rolls | Usually boxes with individual sheets |
| Dispensing method | Usually from a suitable dispenser | Usually directly from the box |
| Typical places of use | Washrooms, kitchens, hospitality venues, commercial and public facilities | Hotels, salons, spas, medical practices and offices |
| Suitable for high traffic | Yes, with an appropriate dispensing system | Generally not intended for high-volume hand drying |
What is the difference between hand towels and face towels- FAQ
Can face towels replace hand towels in public washrooms?
No. Face towels do not have sufficient wet strength and are not compatible with hand towel dispensers, so they break down quickly during use.
Can hand towels be used on the face?
Yes, but they are not comfortable for that purpose. Their higher grammage and rougher texture make them less pleasant for direct contact with facial skin compared with face towels.
Is there a price difference between hand towels and face towels?
The price depends on grammage, raw material and packaging rather than on the product category itself. Industrial hand towels in large packs usually have a lower price per sheet than boxes of face towels.
The right towel. For the right purpose. Without unnecessary waste.
Choose paper hygiene products that suit the space, method of use and number of users.
About the author:
Milja Tonić – SEO Content Strategist & Copywriter
Milja Tonić is an SEO Content Strategist and Copywriter at LUU. In collaboration with the sales and technical teams, she creates content about professional paper hygiene products, dispensers and hygiene management in commercial facilities.
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