Pretty great quality for the price
I've used these towels for a few months now in my kitchen, both for drying hands and dishes as I cook and wash up. Overall, these towels are wonderful. They are a massive step up from the thin $1 towels most of us have in our kitchens, as those do not dry up much at all. These are not miracle workers, but they are great quality. After using it multiple times as you cook, it will still absorb the vast majority of moisture.However, the main attraction to the waffle knit structure is the drying ability. If you hang the towel up or place it on a rack, the towel will usually be dry or dry enough when you need it again. These don't get as crunchy as ordinary towels when you let them air dry, but I would definitely recommend using a washer/dryer. I launder mine inside of mesh zipper pouches so that they are not tossed too roughly and cannot snag on anything. They take much more repeated use to smell bad, since the towels are not holding onto as much of the moisture over time. I find that switching the towels out about every other day ensures my towel is always fresh and ready for use.After months of daily use, no towels have noticeable amounts of damage. They are very easy to care for and don't seem to be picky about detergents. I use distilled white vinegar and water (1 cup vinegar: 4 cups water) to sanitize and deodorize them regularly. I see no color fading and the quality has stood up against constant use. As for softness, if they are laundered regularly, they maintain a very soft and comfortable texture.I have really enjoyed having these in my kitchen and they have given me a preference for waffle knit towels. I would definitely repurchase these for my own kitchen or as a housewarming gift for someone else. They are durable, reliable, and very easy to care for.