Dog Grooming Salon Towels: Absorbency and Branding
By The Velocity Wear Team
Personalised dog towels get about two hundred and sixty UK searches a month, mostly from owners wanting a gift. Dog grooming salons are a different buyer: they go through dozens of towels a day, wash them hot, and want them to look professional in the before-and-after photos that fill their social media.
Sizes for every breed
- Hand towel, 45 × 75 cm: small breeds, faces and paws.
- Bath towel, 70 × 140 cm: medium breeds and general drying.
- Bath sheet, 90 × 180 cm: large and giant breeds, or wrapping after a bath.
Most salons keep a mix, with bath towels doing most of the work.
Absorbency
Cotton terry absorbs a lot of water, which reduces drying time under the blaster. Heavier towels hold more but take longer to dry in the laundry. A 550 GSM bath towel is a good balance for grooming.
Dealing with hair
Dog hair clings to terry. Shake towels outside before washing, use a lint-catching wash bag or filter if your machine allows, and clean filters often. Commercial dryers with good lint filters make a huge difference. Many groomers keep a separate domestic-style machine just for towels.
Hygiene
Use a fresh towel for each dog. Wash hot enough to sanitise, following care labels. Keep clean and dirty towels separate. If a dog has a skin condition or parasites, follow veterinary advice on handling and washing items it has used.
Colours
Grey, navy and charcoal hide mud and staining. White shows everything but can be washed very hot. Some groomers use a bright brand colour for towels used in photos.
Branding that sells your salon
Groomers post a lot of photos of freshly groomed dogs wrapped in towels. A towel with your logo embroidered near the hem puts your brand in every one. Keep the logo simple and bold.
Sell towels to clients
A branded dog towel is a great retail item at the till: owners buy them for muddy walks. Pair with a branded tee or hoodie for staff. Our barbershop merch guide has ideas that translate well to grooming salons.
How many towels
Estimate dogs per day, towels per dog, then double it for laundry turnaround. A busy salon can use sixty or more towels a day.
Quick checklist before you order
- Mix of hand, bath and bath sheet sizes?
- Dark colours for daily work?
- Embroidered logo for photos?
- Two days of stock?
- Lint and hair plan for your laundry?
Mobile groomers
Mobile grooming vans have limited storage and no on-site laundry. Groomers need enough towels for a full day of appointments, a clean and dirty bag system, and a reliable home or commercial laundry routine. Compact hand towels and bath towels fold small. Branded towels also look professional when clients see the van set up on their driveway.
Cattery and boarding use
Boarding kennels and catteries use towels for bedding, drying and cleaning. Branded towels can go home with pets as a comfort item from a stay, which reminds owners of the business. Choose durable colours that hide wear.
Retail towels for pet owners
Pet owners often ask where to buy a good towel for muddy walks. A branded bath towel on the counter at checkout is an easy upsell, especially in autumn and winter when dogs come home wet and dirty.
Ordering
Minimum 50 per design. Bath towels start from £8 including branding. Production takes 10 to 15 working days from artwork approval. See wholesale towels.
