When our founder discovered that most towels have chemicals on them and she tried these turkish towels - she was sold! These are just as absorbant without the chemicals and handmade with natural dyes. Add a mongram to make it so someone can't claim it as their own:)! Once you receive your towel soak in water for 24 hours to make it absorbant - then wash and dry - they are made with starch as these ones are very thin but that will wash out over a couple of washes.