An age old question about a popular household item has been answered, after one social media user publicly shared his bewilderment.
Nate McGrady, a software engineer, took to X to ask a question thousands have been asking for years. He asked “what the purpose was” for the embroidery at the end of a towel.
“I’m convinced that it only exists to shrink and make it impossible to fold the towel nicely, causing you to buy another towel,” he said.
Many other social media users chimed in, equally confused about its purpose.
“Racing stripes. It makes them dry faster,” one said.
“It’s just decorative,” one social media user commented.
Another said: “The purpose of it is to annoy me and to make me feel grateful for the other side of the towel that actually dries your hands all the way.”
“It’s there so the entire towel isn’t soft fluffy and comfortable. Towel manufacturers think we deserve nice things…But not entirely nice,” one said.
Others joked it was to avoid cross contamination.
“You don’t wipe your face below the line and you wipe your butt above the line,” one said.
Another said: “It’s to tell the top from the bottom so that you don’t wipe your eyes into the same place you wiped your buttcheeks to.”
But, in actual fact, the lines are called a “dobby border.”
American towel wholesaler Towel Hub revealed earlier this week that the design on both ends of the towel is “more than just decorative.”
“It plays a crucial role in enhancing durability, performance, and overall aesthetic appeal,” the website explained.
“Known as a dobby border, this woven strip helps prevent fraying, improves absorbency, and gives towels a professional, polished look.”
Essentially, it acts as a reinforcement to stop fraying from overwashing, boosts absorbency and assists in helping the towel quickly dry.
It also has practical uses such as improving grip and helping maintain the structure of the towel over time.
