I still remember the day I stumbled upon Colormate Basics bath towel, hand towel, or washcloth starting at $0.99 at my local Sears.
I was furnishing my first apartment on a shoestring budget, and that sign felt like a personal invitation from the universe, I grabbed a stack of fluffy white washcloths without thinking twice — and for less than the price of a cup of coffee, my bathroom suddenly looked like a spa.
Fast-forward to today, and that legendary deal is practically folklore. I tried searching for Colormate towels recently, only to find old listings, broken links, and products marked “unavailable.” That’s when I decided to dig deeper.
Where did that $0.99 towel deal go? Can you still get anything close to it today? And are there worthy alternatives?
Here’s everything I found — plus what I learned about buying budget-friendly towels along the way.
What Was the Story Behind “Colormate Basics Bath Towel, Hand Towel, or Washcloth Starting at $0.99”?
Back in the mid-2010s, Sears offered its in-house brand Colormate Basics bath towel, hand towel, or washcloth starting at $0.99 as part of seasonal promotions.
These were simple, no-frills essentials meant to appeal to shoppers who wanted functional towels without paying premium prices. The washcloths were the head-turners — soft enough for daily use and unbelievably cheap.
It wasn’t just a marketing trick; these towels were genuinely decent quality for the price. Made from cotton with quick-dry properties, they were lightweight, absorbent, and available in a range of neutral tones.
For college students, first-time renters, and budget-savvy families, Colormate became a go-to staple.
But the deal didn’t last. By around 2016, those prices started disappearing from shelves. Sears was shrinking its store footprint, closing locations, and cutting back on house brands.
As the company’s retail presence dwindled, so did the availability of Colormate towels — and with it, the days of the $0.99 washcloth.
Why You Can’t Find That Price (Or Product) Anymore
I hate to break it to you, but the golden age of $0.99 washcloths is gone — and here’s why:
Inflation changed the math. The price of cotton, labor, and transportation has soared over the last decade. What cost $0.99 back then would likely cost $3 or more to produce and ship today.
Sears isn’t what it used to be. As the company faced bankruptcy and store closures, Colormate — one of its private-label home brands — became harder and harder to find.
Even the Sears website now lists most Colormate towels as “temporarily unavailable” or redirects to third-party sellers.
Retail has evolved. Today’s home goods landscape is dominated by big-box stores like Walmart, Target, and Amazon.
They offer their own budget towel lines that outshine what Colormate once was — though not at that headline-grabbing price point.
So while the keyword colormate basics bath towel hand towel or washcloth starting at 0 99 still pops up in nostalgic searches, it’s now more of a historical reference than a shopping reality.
How to Choose a Good Towel Now That the $0.99 Days Are Gone
I’ll admit — I was disappointed when I realized the old Colormate prices were never coming back. But the search for a good towel doesn’t end there.
In fact, knowing what made those towels so beloved can help you pick great alternatives today.
Here’s what I pay attention to when buying new towels:
- Fabric and weave: Ringspun or combed cotton tends to feel softer and last longer. Quick-dry weaves are lighter and ideal for humid bathrooms.
- GSM (grams per square meter): A GSM of 400–600 offers a good balance between absorbency and drying time. Too low, and the towel feels flimsy; too high, and it stays damp for hours.
- Finishing details: Double-stitched hems resist fraying and extend the life of your towels.
- Size variety: A good towel line offers washcloths, hand towels, and bath towels — not just one or two options.
Colormate vs. Today’s Best Budget Towels – A Quick Comparison
To see how far we’ve come, I compared the original Colormate Basics towels with today’s top budget options. Here’s how they stack up:
| Feature | Colormate Basics (Past) | Modern Budget Towels (Walmart, Target, etc.) |
| Material | Basic cotton, quick-dry weave | Ringspun or zero-twist cotton |
| Price (washcloth) | $0.99 (promotional) | $2–$4 average |
| Price (hand towel) | $2–$3 | $4–$8 average |
| Price (bath towel) | $4–$6 | $8–$20 average |
| Durability | Moderate | Improved stitching and longer lifespan |
| Color choices | Limited | Wide variety of colors and textures |
| Availability | Rare, often unavailable | Widely available in stores and online |
It’s clear that while today’s towels cost more, they also deliver more — in quality, performance, and design.
Where to Look for Affordable Alternatives Today
Since colormate basics bath towel hand towel or washcloth starting at 0 99 is no longer something you’ll find in stores, here’s where I recommend hunting for solid budget options:
Walmart – Mainstays Towels: These are excellent value buys with decent softness and absorbency. Washcloths typically start around $2, and full towel sets can cost under $20.
Target – Room Essentials and Threshold: These in-house lines offer quick-dry towels and bundle sets that look and feel much pricier than they are. They also come in a range of colors and styles.
Amazon Basics: While prices vary, Amazon often has competitive deals on towel multipacks, especially if you’re furnishing an entire bathroom.
You won’t see that magical $0.99 tag, but you will find towels that perform better, last longer, and still respect your budget.
How to Make Towels Last Longer (And Stretch Your Dollar)
If you’re spending more on towels than you did in the Colormate days, you’ll want them to last. Here’s what I do to extend their life:
- Wash before first use: This removes excess lint and improves absorbency.
- Skip the fabric softener: It can coat fibers and reduce absorbency over time.
- Use gentle detergent: Harsh chemicals break down cotton fibers faster.
- Line-dry when possible: High heat shortens a towel’s life. Air drying keeps them fluffy.
These habits have kept my towels soft and functional for years — even the budget ones.
FAQ – Your Towel Questions Answered
Q: Are Colormate towels still available anywhere?
You might find them secondhand on marketplaces like eBay or from third-party sellers clearing old inventory. But they’re not widely produced or stocked anymore, so new sets are rare.
Q: Why were Colormate towels so cheap back then?
They were part of Sears’ private-label strategy and sold at a loss or low margin to draw customers into stores. The $0.99 price was more of a promotional hook than a long-term standard.
Q: What’s a good price for a quality towel now?
Expect to pay around $2–$4 for a washcloth, $4–$8 for a hand towel, and $8–$20 for a full-size bath towel. Bundled sets often offer the best value.
Q: Can I still get decent towels on a tight budget?
Absolutely. Look for store brands at Walmart, Target, and Amazon. Focus on fabric type and stitching rather than price alone — you’ll often find towels under $15 that feel great and last years.
Goodbye, $0.99 Towels – Hello, Smart Shopping
I’ll always have a soft spot for the Colormate Basics bath towel, hand towel, or washcloth starting at $0.99 era.
It was a time when a single dollar could transform your bathroom and make you feel like you had it together. But times change — and so do prices.
The good news? Towels today are more absorbent, more durable, and more stylish than those old Colormate basics ever were. The trick is to shop smart, pay attention to quality markers, and treat your towels well.
So even if you’ll never score that magical $0.99 deal again, you can still wrap yourself in comfort without draining your wallet.
And trust me — when you step out of a shower and into a towel that feels like a cloud, you won’t even miss the past.
