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The Paradigm 802 bath towels are the best towels I've ever used and absolutely worth the splurge! (Better than towels I've used at 5-star hotels.) They're incredibly plush, absorbent and feel so decadent to the touch they should be illegal--seriously. Since they are made with vegetable-dyed Turkish cotton, the towels require different care than most other towels--pre-wash in cold water without detergent 3 times before first wash with detergent (to set the dye color), use only detergent without optical brighteners, machine dry without fabric softener (which limits the aging/mellowing of the plush cotton). The towels have actually gotten fluffier and softer with each wash/dry. The towels go on sale (20% off) a couple of times during the year. I was also told by the salesman that they have a pretty generous satisfaction guarantee policy on this line (but he didn't elaborate on the terms). This is a splurge that's well worth the money! Trust me on this one. (You can thank me later.)

Picked up a queen sheet set last weekend in "discontinued" (in talking to another store, I think it's now online only) red for $90 after tax in Chicago's Lincoln Park store. Totally fortuitous, and I can't seem to find another red set for this price.

For the towels - do you do those 3 prewashes before you use them at all, all in quick succession (wash/dry x3)? Do you use vinegar in the wash at all?

These towels (Restoration Hardware - Paradigm) are beautiful and dense, however (unless they have changed their dying process) discolor terribly. The store now hands you a lovely pamphlet on how to properly launder them... Unfortunately, I felt the best option was a return for credit.