One age-old question you may have wondered about your bath towels has finally been revealed - and it's left people stunned.
There's nothing quite like stepping out of the bath or shower and wrapping yourself up in a soft, fluffy towel to dry off - even more so if it happens to be nice and toasty from the dryer or radiator, too.
For most of us, the maximum thought we give our towels is whether they're clean or not, and if they match our bathroom decor.
However, have you ever wondered why almost all towels seem to have a stitched 'stripe' design at the end?
Well, wonder no more.
Nate McGrady, a software engineer, took to X (formerly known as Twitter) to pose the question - and finally find out the real answer.
He circled the stitched part as he asked: "what is the purpose of this part of a towel?"
He added: "I'm convinced that it only exists to shrink and make it impossible to fold the towel nicely, causing you to buy another towel."
Now, that is a very real thing that happens but that isn't the sole purpose of those strips.
People in his comments added their thoughts, writing: "For wiping crevices," and: "Racing stripes. It makes them dry faster."
Others wrote: "In case you have to share towel, the part below the line is where you should use and dry your body, and trh part above the line is where the owner of the towel will use," and: "I always thought it was just part of the design, no practical purpose?"
One added: "the purpose of it is to annoy me and to make me feel grateful for the other side of the towel that actually dries your hands all the way."
Another joked: "It’s a tread line. When your towel thins out to that level, it’s time to replace your towel. Mileage may vary."
Well, that woven line or two is actually known as a 'dobby border' and its function is more than just decorative.
American towel wholesaler Towel Hub explained: "It plays a crucial role in enhancing durability, performance, and overall aesthetic appeal.
"Known as a dobby border, this woven strip helps prevent fraying, improves absorbency, and gives towels a professional, polished look."
It adds: "The dobby border provides extra structural integrity, ensuring that the towel can withstand frequent laundering without losing its shape or effectiveness."
It also helps to let the towel dry faster as well as maintaining its structure over time, and also improves a person's grip on the towel, too.
The dobby border can also be the difference between a great quality, long-lasting towel and one that falls apart over time
The site explains: "A well-made woven strip should be tightly stitched and seamlessly integrated into the towel’s design. Loose or thin strips can weaken over time, diminishing the towel’s durability and overall lifespan."
The more you know!