FAQs
Everything you need to know about MAHĀNA sand-free beach towels — how they work, how to care for them, and how we ship. Can't find your answer? Get in touch and we'll help.
About the towels
Are MAHĀNA beach towels really sand-free?
Yes. MAHĀNA towels are made from waffle-weave microfibre, which has a tightly woven, smooth surface that sand can't work its way into. Traditional terrycloth towels have looped cotton fibres that trap sand — microfibre doesn't. Give your towel a shake and the sand falls straight off, so you leave the beach at the beach.
What are MAHĀNA towels made of?
Each towel is 80% rPET (recycled polyester) and 20% nylon, woven into a 390gsm waffle microfibre. The recycled polyester comes from post-consumer plastic bottles — about 30 bottles go into every towel. The nylon is blended in for softness and durability.
How big is a MAHĀNA beach towel?
160cm x 80cm — a generous full-size beach towel, big enough to lie on comfortably. Despite the size, it rolls down to roughly the size of a drink bottle.
Are microfibre towels actually absorbent?
Very. Microfibre absorbs several times its own weight in water, and the waffle weave increases the surface area doing the work. You'll dry off faster than with a standard cotton towel, and the towel itself dries within minutes rather than staying damp in your bag.
How quickly do they dry?
Usually within minutes in open air. Microfibre holds water on the surface of the fibres rather than soaking into them, so it releases moisture quickly — which also means it doesn't develop that musty smell damp cotton towels get.
Are they good for travel?
They're designed for it. A MAHĀNA towel rolls up to about the size of a reusable drink bottle and weighs a fraction of a terrycloth towel, so it fits in a beach bag, backpack or carry-on without taking up meaningful room. Because it dries fast, you can pack it up shortly after use.
Is the design on both sides?
Yes — every MAHĀNA towel is double-sided with a different design on each side, so it's effectively two towels in one. Each towel also has a hanging hook.
Can I use one as a yoga, picnic or travel towel?
Absolutely. At 160cm x 80cm they work well as a picnic rug, yoga mat towel, gym towel, or camping towel. The quick-dry, sand-free properties make them useful well beyond the beach.
Care and durability
How do I wash a microfibre beach towel?
Machine wash cold (or 30°C) with like colours, then hang to dry — it'll dry quickly thanks to the waffle microfibre. Avoid tumble drying, ironing and bleach, as heat and harsh chemicals damage microfibre fibres. Your towel will soften with every wash.
Should I use fabric softener?
No. Fabric softener coats microfibre fibres and reduces how well they absorb water. Wash without it — the towel softens naturally over time.
Will the colours fade?
The designs are printed to last. Washing cold, skipping the dryer and avoiding bleach will keep the colours vivid for years.
Sustainability
How many plastic bottles are in each towel?
Around 30 post-consumer recycled plastic bottles per towel. By creating demand for recycled polyester rather than virgin polyester, we help keep recycling plants viable and plastic out of landfill.
Is your packaging eco-friendly?
Yes. We ship in noissue recycled kraft boxes with recycled tissue paper, recycled paper thank-you cards, a soy-based ink stamp and compostable shipping labels. We're members of the noissue Eco Alliance.
Where are MAHĀNA towels designed and made?
MAHĀNA is designed in New Zealand and ships from Wellington. Our towels are manufactured to our specification using recycled materials.
Ordering and shipping
How much does shipping cost?
Shipping is free on New Zealand orders over $100. Below that, rates are calculated at checkout based on your address and chosen service. See our shipping policy for full details.
How long will my order take to arrive?
Orders are processed within 1–2 business days and shipped from Wellington, NZ. Within New Zealand, economy delivery takes 2–4 business days and courier is next business day (tracked). For Australia and the rest of the world, economy takes 3–10 business days and tracked courier 2–6 business days.
Do you ship internationally?
Yes, we ship to Australia and worldwide. Please note that international orders may attract import duties, taxes or bank charges applied by the destination country, which are the customer's responsibility.
Can I return my towel?
Yes — within 90 days of purchase, provided the towel is unused, unwashed and in its original packaging, with proof of purchase. We refund the purchase price to your original payment method; shipping and any duties aren't refundable. Sale and promotional purchases and gift cards are non-refundable. Email support@mahanasurf.com with your order number to start a return, or read the full returns policy.
What if my towel arrives faulty?
We'll sort it out. Email support@mahanasurf.com with your order number and a photo of the fault along with the original MAHĀNA label, and we'll arrange a refund, store credit or replacement towel of your choice.
Do you sell wholesale?
We do — MAHĀNA towels are stocked by retailers across New Zealand. If you'd like to stock us, see become a stockist or read our stockist FAQ.
How do I get in touch?
Email support@mahanasurf.com or use our contact page. You can also message us on Instagram or Facebook.