As the season of heat begins
It's only mid-May.
Just a short while ago, we were saying, "The warm weather feels nice," but now we're already seeing days with scorching summer temperatures.
Looking at the forecast, temperatures exceeding 30 degrees Celsius are expected starting this weekend, so I hastily changed into my summer clothes.
During this time, our bodies are not yet accustomed to the heat.
After coming home from outside, we wash our faces with cold water or quickly take a shower, so the demand for towels naturally increases.
Towels are something we use every day without much thought, but as I started reaching for them multiple times a day, I realized that their comfort significantly impacts the comfort of my daily life.
Differences in thread density and weaving methods surprisingly change not only the feel against the skin but also practical aspects like how quickly they dry.
For that reason, I now use two towels with different textures, switching between them depending on my mood and the season.
Two towels with different personalities lined up on my shelf.
Which one is just right for me right now?
My everyday staple: "FUJITAKA TOWEL"
A long-time favorite in my home is the FUJITAKA TOWEL.
I got it around the time I moved into this house.
"For things I use every day, I want to choose something I'm truly satisfied with."
I still remember carefully considering it with that thought in mind.
It's been exactly two years this summer since I started using it.
The towels I used before often started to wear out after about a year, prompting me to replace them, but the fluffy volume of the FUJITAKA TOWEL remains as good as new.
The thick texture with densely packed loops makes me feel a little luxurious every time I use it.
The softness the moment I bury my face in it brings such a sense of comfort that it helps me relax.
Of course, its absorbency is also outstanding.
As someone with long hair, drying my hair after a bath tends to take a long time, but with this towel, simply wrapping it around my head for a while absorbs a lot of moisture. I'm always impressed by how light my hair feels after removing the towel.
Thanks to this, my drying time naturally shortens, and I especially appreciate it during the hot season.
Because it's an everyday thing, I believe these small comforts help to organize my daily life a little.
New addition: "kontex waffle towel"
This spring, I added the kontex waffle towel.
I started with the hand towel and face towel, but I was so drawn to their ease of use that I recently added a bath towel to the collection.
Its thickness is about half of the FUJITAKA TOWEL, I'd say.
It has a bumpy waffle weave, which is different from tightly packed loops.
The moment it touches my skin, these bumps quickly absorb moisture, leaving a light and smooth feeling even after wiping.
In the upcoming sweaty season, this smooth texture feels incredibly comfortable.
And what helps me most is how quickly it dries.
As the laundry pile grows in the coming season, the airy waffle weave dries faster than other laundry.
In my home, this waffle towel is also useful in the kitchen.
I spread it out as a dish drying mat for freshly washed glasses, or tuck it into my apron waistband to wipe my hands.
One of the reasons I love it is that it's easy to use and naturally blends into various parts of my daily life.
Just the right towel for the moment
I used to think that having all my towels of the same type would make things look neater.
However, living day-to-day, I've realized that the texture my skin craves and the demands of housework vary more than I expected.
Some days I want to be softly enveloped, while others I want things to dry quickly.
The flexibility to choose according to my mood and lifestyle at any given moment feels just right for me now.
Even when the full heat of summer arrives, with these two towels, my busy everyday life feels a little lighter.
