Find me these IKEA towels! (Only, not at IKEA).

February 22, 2015 8:29 PM

I love slightly thinner, slightly scratchy bath towels. I have these towels from IKEA, and they're pretty much perfect in looks, size, and texture. I'd like another set, but for ~reasons, I'm not going to purchase them from IKEA. Can anyone recommend me similar ones? I've had no luck at Macy's, Bed Bath & Beyond, Target, or Kohls--they're all too soft and fluffy. Happy to order online.
posted by TwoStride to Shopping (9 answers total)

This may be a regional thing- but I've totally found those really cheap, scratchy towels at Target - they are usually on sale for something like $2-$4. If they aren't available online, I've also seen them at Costco, but that depends a bit on what their stock is like that week.
posted by Toddles at 8:57 PM on February 22, 2015

Best answer: Have you ever tried Turkish towels? AKA hamam (or hammam) towels or Peshtamel. Thin, scratchy, absorbent, and look cool too. Lots of different places/ways/price points to buy online , if you google a little.
posted by cilantro at 4:19 AM on February 23, 2015 [3 favorites]

Would it meet your needs if you bought Ikea-branded towels used on ebay?
posted by arnicae at 5:58 AM on February 23, 2015 [1 favorite]

Best answer: The "air weight" line at coyuchi.com (sorry I can't do a link from my phone) are thinner, slightly scratchy, terrifically absorbent, and really long-lasting. Absolutely worth the money. Buy one small hand towel to try them out. I didn't think I liked thin towels until I got these.
posted by janey47 at 7:35 AM on February 23, 2015 [1 favorite]

I also came in to recommend peshtemal towels.
posted by harrietthespy at 7:57 AM on February 23, 2015 [3 favorites]

FYI I love those IKEA towels, too. I went to Target and bought SUPER cheap bath towels - the college line, like $3 a towel. They are too damn fluffy! 30+ washes, already fraying, but still too fluffy and not sufficiently absorbent. I'll be watching with interest here. I keep thinking about the Turkish towels but I need like 12 towels and they seem pretty spendy.
posted by peep at 10:03 AM on February 23, 2015 [1 favorite]

They may be a bit plush for you, but I've found the Costco "hotel" towel to be inexpensive, reasonably lightweight, and more absorbent than the Ikea towel in question.
posted by wotsac at 10:25 AM on February 23, 2015

Fred Meyers has towels like that.
posted by fshgrl at 1:45 PM on February 23, 2015

Surprisingly, JC Penney has some great bath towels. Not sure if it'll be scratchy enough for you, but their Quick-Dri styles are my favorite.
posted by doctordrey at 11:06 AM on February 26, 2015 [1 favorite]