Waffle, or sometimes honeycomb fabric is fabric, usually cotton

Cotton

Cotton is a soft, fluffy staple fiber that grows in a boll, or protective capsule, around the seeds of cotton plants of the genus Gossypium. The fiber is almost pure cellulose. The botanical purpose of cotton fiber is to aid in seed dispersal....

 or microfibre, woven in a way which makes it very absorbent. The waffle weave also allows air to flow through the towel so that it dries quickly.

Waffle fabric is used for cleaning surfaces in industry. The surface of the fabric is textured rather like an edible waffle

Waffle

A waffle is a batter- or dough-based cake cooked in a waffle iron patterned to give a distinctive and characteristic shape. There are many variations based on the type and shape of the iron and the recipe used....

, hence the name. This texture gives more surface area for absorption and cleaning than a normal flat surface. It is woven on a loom, and is therefore more durable than many chemically-produced fibres. It is not a mechanical or chemical process that can be washed off after thorough or heavy use.

Waffle fabrics are used for towel

Towel

A towel is a piece of absorbent fabric or paper used for drying or wiping. It draws moisture through direct contact, often using a blotting or a rubbing motion. Common household textile towels are made from cotton, rayon, bamboo, nonwoven fibers or a few other materials.-Types of towels:* A bath...

s and bathrobe

Bathrobe

A bathrobe, dressing gown or housecoat is a robe. A bathrobe is usually made from towelling or other absorbent textile, and may be donned while the wearer's body is wet, serving both as a towel and an informal garment...

s. Terry cloth is more often used for towelling.