Abstract: A system for displaying but protecting while displaying bath and hand and kitchen towels and the like provides for use with a towel bar over which a towel is deployed in the usual manner, a protector or protective cover, size-matched to the towel bar preferably. The system reminds absentminded and careless people not to use towels covered, while keeping the towels on display and ready for instant use. The protective cover has a flat panel with an integral uniformly covered end forming a 180.degree. hook that for self-adjusting and visibility purposes has a uniform radius suited for encompassing one or, if desired, more towels folded over the towel bar. The proportion of hook and panel and bar permits the entirety of a towel or towels to be covered, and provides stability if the cover is stored temporarily on the rack without a towel, or with a towel over it instead of under it.