Do you take home amenities provided by hotels or ryokans? From an SDGs perspective, this guide explains which amenities can be reused and how to reuse them. We also thoroughly researched one of the most controversial items — face towels — and how to tell whether they can be taken home depending on the type of facility.
- Can You Take a Face Towel Home from Lodging? How to Tell, and Key Points by Facility Type
- Basic Rule: Towels Are Generally Classified as “Facility Property”
- Hotels: Towels with Embroidery or Thick Fabric Are Usually Not Allowed
- Ryokan (Traditional Inns): Hospitality Culture Makes Take-Home Towels More Common
- Hot Springs: Distinguishing Rental Towels from Purchased Towels
- Face Towel Monme Count Commonly Allowed for Take-Home
- Reusing “Disposable” Towels Is Highly Encouraged from an SDGs Perspective
- Practical Reuse Ideas and Durability Testing for Amenities
- Let’s Rethink Amenity Reuse
Can You Take a Face Towel Home from Lodging? How to Tell, and Key Points by Facility Type
Have you ever stayed at a hotel and wondered, “Can I take this face towel with me?” In fact, the rules differ depending on the facility. Some towels are allowed to be taken home, and others are not.
Here, we explain how to tell whether a face towel can be taken home or not, categorized into Hotels, Ryokan (traditional inns), and Hot spring facilities.
Basic Rule: Towels Are Generally Classified as “Facility Property”
In many lodging facilities, towels are considered items to be used only during your stay and cannot be taken home by default. However, there are exceptions where taking them home is permitted:
Now, let’s look at each facility type.
Towels that can be taken home are almost always brand-new. If it looks washed or reused, it’s facility property — meaning you should NOT take it.
Hotels: Towels with Embroidery or Thick Fabric Are Usually Not Allowed
In business hotels or city hotels, towels sometimes feature embroidered logos. These are laundered and reused by the facility, so taking them home is not allowed.
Cases Where It Is Allowed
- Plain lightweight face towels or printed logo towels
- Souvenir towels sold at the front desk or shop
- Amenity sets containing thin, brand-new towels
- Individually packaged new towels
How to Tell
- Check whether it is new or freshly laundered (touch/smell)
- Color, patterns, or embroidery usually mean “facility property”
- Check for notices stating “Do not take home”
- Lighter monme count = more likely OK to take
- When unsure, just ask the staff!
Ryokan (Traditional Inns): Hospitality Culture Makes Take-Home Towels More Common
At traditional ryokan, giving guests a take-home towel as part of hospitality is more common than in hotels.
These towels are also helpful when visiting different public hot springs during your stay!
Examples Where You Can Take It Home
- Lightweight towels printed with the ryokan’s name
- Lightweight towels placed in the room with a yukata set
- Items labeled “Please take this as a souvenir”
- Towels included in an amenity set
- Individually packaged, unused towels
180 Monme Face Towels (Individually Wrapped) – Pack of 300
These thin and quick-drying towels are perfect for travel and visiting multiple hot springs. Reusing them after your trip is a great way to reduce waste and make eco-friendly choices.
Individually packaged for excellent hygiene. Suitable for lodging facilities, hot springs, clinics, outdoor sites, gyms, or as giveaway items.
Cases Where It’s NOT Allowed
- Bath towels or thick face towels
- Colorful designs or embroidered logo towels
- When there is a towel return area in the bath
How to Tell
- Lightweight + logo print + individually packaged = likely OK
- Touch/smell to check if it’s unused
- Ask staff when unsure — always safe!
Hot Springs: Distinguishing Rental Towels from Purchased Towels
At day-use hot springs or spa facilities, towels may be included in the entry fee or sold separately. It’s important to distinguish between free rental towels and take-home items.
Cases Where You CAN Take It Home
- Purchased towels or hand towels sold at reception (non-rental)
- New lightweight face towels included upon entry
Cases Where It’s NOT Allowed
- Thick towels or bath towels provided for use in baths
- Colorful or embroidered towels used as facility property
- Laundered towels clearly meant for repeated use
How to Tell
- Look for “Please feel free to take this home” signs
- Check if “Towel included in entry fee” (not rentals)
- Items being sold = safe to take
- When unsure — just ask staff!
Face Towel Monme Count Commonly Allowed for Take-Home
Reusing “Disposable” Towels Is Highly Encouraged from an SDGs Perspective
Recently, many lodging facilities have been reviewing their amenity offerings to reduce waste as part of their SDGs efforts. One recommended practice is to take disposable face towels home and reuse them instead of throwing them away after a single use.
It’s Also Beneficial for Guests
Reusing towels is not only eco-friendly, but it also provides several useful benefits for guests.
- A memorable souvenir: Towels printed with a hotel or ryokan name become small but meaningful keepsakes.
- Highly practical: Keep them at home, in the car, or at work for quick cleaning or hand drying.
- Great for protecting luggage: Use towels to wrap fragile souvenirs or prevent leaks from toiletries.
- Feel good about sustainability: Reusing a towel gives a sense of contributing to eco-friendly efforts.
By using a towel to its fullest life cycle, we reduce waste and make better use of resources.
If you’re given a take-home face towel during a stay, consider it a chance to bring home not just memories — but also an eco-friendly habit.
If your amenity towel can be taken home, it’s the perfect opportunity to enjoy both a travel memory and eco-conscious living. Below are practical reuse ideas and how many times they can be used sustainably.
180 Monme Face Towels (Individually Wrapped) – Pack of 300
These lightweight and quick-drying towels are easy to carry, perfect for repeated hot spring visits. Taking used towels home to reuse them also promotes eco-friendly awareness.
Individually wrapped for hygiene. Ideal not only for hotels and hot springs, but also for clinics, outdoor facilities, sports gyms, and more — whether for sale or complimentary use.
Practical Reuse Ideas and Durability Testing for Amenities
We’ve shared how to identify take-home towels and the benefits of reusing them for sustainability. According to our survey, 84.6% of guests have taken hotel amenities home. Based on these answers, we gathered popular reuse ideas along with actual durability tests conducted by our staff.
Reuse ideas were collected from guest surveys, and durability tests were carried out by our staff using real amenity items!
Face Towels
We surveyed guests who stay at hotels or ryokans more than twice a year and asked for their best ideas on reusing face towels.
Popular Face Towel Reuse Ideas
Face Towel Durability Test Results
Cotton face towels commonly used as disposable amenities (140–180 monme) have been found to withstand over 50 wash cycles on average.
Even with normal washing methods (washer/dryer, liquid detergent, softener, no laundry net, no bleach), the towel kept its absorbency, had no odor, and remained usable for over a month.
If you don’t mind slight fraying, you can easily use these towels more than 50 times. After several uses at home or at hot springs, they can be repurposed as cleaning rags.
160 Monme Face Towel (340×860 mm) – Individually Wrapped – Pack of 300 (Used in Testing)
100% cotton 160 monme face towel made in Vietnam. Each towel is individually wrapped to ensure excellent hygiene.
Thin and quick-drying — great for bathing, cleaning, or everyday use.
Offered at an affordable price and suitable for hotels, hot springs, clinics, and other facilities.
Disposable Slippers
Disposable slippers provided at hotels, buses, or real estate showings can be reused in various ways, whether used or unused.
Reusable Ideas for Disposable Slippers
Soft Slippers with Storage Pouch – Brown
Luxurious slippers with soft towel-like fabric and a comfortable sole.
■ Gentle and fluffy material — comfortable even barefoot.
■ Comes with a hygienic non-woven storage pouch.
■ Calm brown color suits any facility.
Hairbrush Amenities
Hairbrush amenities are one of the most reused items among female guests.
Hairbrush Reuse Ideas
Hairbrush Durability Test Results
Our slim folding brush remained fully functional even after a year of use.
The folding mechanism was tested over 100 open-close cycles with no damage — surprisingly durable for an amenity item.
Hair clips in amenity sets also lasted indefinitely with normal use. Comb-type brushes may chip after a few months, but folding brushes are the most durable overall.
Folding Slim Brush – Pleasantly Series (Black)
A convenient folding brush that fits easily into any pouch.
Compact, lightweight, and suitable for both men and women.
Let’s Rethink Amenity Reuse
Take only what you need and reuse what you can — whether for future trips or daily life. With small actions from each guest, we can continue building a more sustainable and mindful lifestyle.
At DC Amenity, we are committed to promoting SDGs awareness and providing environmentally friendly amenities for facilities and guests alike.
DC Amenity offers high-quality amenities with reliable supply and a wide selection.
New members receive three 3% off coupons. Even small orders can be bundled to access discounted prices.
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