Towels? Little helpers with great power
Wipe your hands, dry the dishes, take a hot baking sheet out of the oven, polish a glass or quickly intervene in the event of an unexpected accident. Towels can do more than we think. These inconspicuous pieces of cloth play a relatively essential role in our lives, especially in the kitchen. How to properly care for them so that they serve us as long and as well as possible? Let's take a look at everything about towels!
How to choose the right towel?
Towels are inconspicuous helpers in the household, but if you choose the right ones, they will make your everyday work easier. It's not just about aesthetics, but mainly about the material and its properties. So how do you choose the best one for a specific task?
Cotton Dishcloths: A Classic That Never Disappoints
Cotton dishcloths are the most common choice. They are soft, highly absorbent and suitable for almost everything - from wiping dishes by hand. The more you wash them, the better they absorb. A classic checkered or striped dishcloth made of 100% cotton never disappoints.
- Best for: regular dishwashing, hand washing and light cleaning
- Care: wash at higher temperatures (60 °C and above), avoid fabric softener, which reduces absorbency
Linen Dishcloths: A Luxurious Glass Helper
Linen is naturally antibacterial, strong and highly absorbent, but its real advantage is that it leaves no fibers on the glass. That's why it's great for polishing glasses, mirrors and stainless steel surfaces. It may be a bit rough at first, but it softens over time.
- Best for: polishing glasses, glass and shiny surfaces
- Care: wash at low temperatures (40°C), iron slightly damp
Terrycloths: For drying hands and larger messes
If absorbency is your main concern, terrycloths are the obvious choice. They're fluffy, soft and absorb water well, making them ideal for drying hands or for larger kitchen accidents. However, they are not suitable for polishing glasses because they can leave tiny fibers behind.
- Best for: wiping hands, drying fruit and vegetables, high humidity
- Care: wash at higher temperatures (60 °C), air dry, if in the dryer, at minimum power
Microfiber cloths: Cleaning without chemicals
Microfiber is a revolutionary material that attracts dirt like a magnet. It copes perfectly with dust, grease and fingerprints - even without cleaning agents. Great for cleaning kitchen counters, appliances and stainless steel surfaces.
- Best for: streak-free cleaning, dust and grease
- Care: wash without fabric softener, do not tumble dry
Waffle cloths: Aesthetic and functional helpers
Waffle cloths are a great addition to your home! This type of cloth is known for its unique pattern, which resembles a waffle design, and it not only looks aesthetic, but also has practical properties. Waffle cloths are usually made of cotton and have a texture that increases their absorbency. This material is ideal for both dry and wet tasks in the kitchen.
- Best for: wiping dishes, wiping hands and light cleaning.
- Care: wash at 40–60 °C, ideally without fabric softener, air dry or at low temperatures in the dryer to preserve their structure.
How to increase the absorbency of towels?
We have already discussed how to wash towels above - different materials, different care. However, the rule usually applies: wash at 60 °C, without fabric softener and preferably air dry. This way the towels retain their properties, especially absorbency.
And what if they don't absorb as well as they should? That can be a problem, absorbency is essential for towels. Something can be done about that too. We have a few tricks to increase it:
- Vinegar is a miracle. Add a little vinegar to your wash to help remove detergent residue and soften the fibers.
- Boiling? A good old classic: For cotton towels, boiling is a great way to increase absorbency and get rid of bacteria.
- Ironing? Yes, please: Ironing the towels will help the fibers straighten out and absorb water better.
How many per household?
Towels are used all the time in the kitchen, so it's a good idea to have plenty on hand. The ideal number depends on how often you wash. However, in general, it is good to have:
- 3-5 cotton cloths for everyday use
- 1-2 linen cloths for glass and polishing
- 2-3 terry cloths for drying hands and larger messes
- 2 microfiber cloths for cleaning
A well-chosen set of cloths can transform your kitchen into an organized and functional place. And if you know how to care for them, they will last you for years.
