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Why Bath Towels Have Border Lines: Dobby Weave Prevents Fraying

A Good Housekeeping Institute expert says the woven dobby border reinforces towel edges.

Overview

  • A viral Reddit post asking about towel lines drew roughly 14,000 upvotes and about 1,100 comments, prompting explanatory coverage.
  • Emma Seymour of the Good Housekeeping Institute identifies the lines as a dobby border that gives towels structure and helps them last longer.
  • The dobby border is a tightly woven strip placed near the ends of many towels and can appear as a single band or multiple lines.
  • Reported functions include improved edge durability, better shape retention during washing, potential absorbency benefits, and a clean, finished look that can guide folding.
  • Articles note unverified Reddit theories about drip control and towel identification by stripe patterns, while product testers generally like the border’s appearance.