How to Wash Tea Towels Properly: A Step-by-Step Guide

Tea towels are a stylish and useful addition to the kitchen, but they’re easily stained and can quickly become magnets for bacteria because of the frequent contact they have with spills, greasy pans, and our hands.

The good news is that washing your tea towels properly helps maintain that fresh, ‘like new’ feel while also prolonging their lifespan. Caring for the tea towels you already own is also a more sustainable choice, helping toreduce waste in the kitchen.

Read on to discover how to wash tea towels properly, with practical steps to follow whether you’re using a washing machine, hand washing, or tackling stubborn stains.

Why You Should Wash Tea Towels Regularly

Tea towels are used for a wide range of everyday tasks, from drying dishes and pans afterwashing up to wiping hands and mopping up spills. Because of this frequent use, they can quickly become damp and prone to harbouring bacteria -30-50% of kitchen towels in the UK have tested positive for E.coli or other faecal bacteria.

Washing your tea towels regularly is an important habit for maintaining good kitchen hygiene and reducing the risk of cross-contamination. Keeping a fresh tea towel in rotation means you can dry your dishes and hands with confidence, knowing they’re genuinely clean.

How Often Should You Wash Tea Towels?

If you love to cook and have a busy kitchen, it’s best to switch to a fresh tea towel daily. Regular washing helps maintain good kitchen hygiene and prevents the build-up of grease and stains, though studies showonly 50% of households change their tea towels regularly enough.

If your kitchen gets lighter use, perhaps just making a cuppa or preparing simple meals, washing tea towels every 3-7 days is enough.

While you may be able to wait a few days before washing your tea towel, it’s important to put your towel in the wash straight after using it to mop up a spill or if it’s come into contact with raw food. Likewise, if your tea towel feels damp, smells musty, or looks stained, that’s a clear sign it’s ready for a wash.

Do You Need to Wash Tea Towels Before First Use?

If you’ve bought new tea towels, it’s a good idea wash them before using them.

During manufacturing, tea towels can pick up residues such as starches, along with small amounts of dust from handling and transport. Washing new tea towels helps remove these resides, leaving your towels genuinely clean and ready to use in your kitchen.

If you’ve ever unpacked a new cotton tea towel and noticed it feels slightly stiff or less absorbent, a first wash can help with that too. Washing softens cotton fibres, allowing them to absorb moisture more effectively.

If you choose high-quality options like organic cotton tea towels, you’ll notice this in particular, as fibres won’t have been pre-softened with heavy chemical finishes. If you’d like to experience the difference for yourself, you can explore ourorganic herringbone tea towel range.

Can You Put Tea Towels in the Washing Machine?

Yes, washing tea towels in the washing machine is one of the easiest and most effective ways to keep them clean. By using the right temperature and natural cleaning products, you can remove bacteria, grease, and everyday stains, whilekeeping your laundry routine sustainable.

How to Wash Tea Towels in the Washing Machine

If you’re using a washing machine to clean your tea towels, follow these simple steps:

1. Check for Stains

Before washing, have a look over your tea towels and pre-treat any visible stains. Soaking stained towels in a natural oxygen bleach solution is an effective, chlorine-free way to lift food marks and grease. Dissolve the powder in warm water and soak the tea towels for 30 minutes to a few hours before washing, depending on how stubborn the stain is.

2. Set a 60°C Temperature

Tea towels can tolerate higher temperatures than most clothes. Washing at 60°C helps to kill harmful bacteria and is effctive at breaking down grease and food residue that can build up over time.

Washing tea towels at 60°C is an effective way to kill harmful bacteria.

3. Use a Natural Detergent

Choose a natural, plant-based detergent from brands like Ecover or Faith in Nature, or from your local refill store. These detergents can clean your tea towels thoroughly without leaving residues that reduce absorbency. Avoid fabric softeners as these coat cotton fibres, making your tea towels less effective.

4. Allow Your Tea Towels to Dry Completely

Letting your tea towels dry fully is essential to prevent musty smells and mildew. Air drying is the mostsustainable option, and drying your tea towels outdoors offers the added benefit of sunlight, which can help to further disinfect and freshen your fabric.

If air drying isn’t practical, tumble drying on a low setting is fine. Adding wool dryer balls can help speed up the process and save energy.

Sunlight naturally disinfects and fades stains from tea towels, as well as being the most sustainable way to dry them.

Can You Wash Tea Towels with Clothes?

Tea towels can be washed with clothes if you’re short on time, but there are a few things to keep in mind. You won’t be able to use a  60°C wash without risking damage to some clothing, and there’s also a higher chance of colour transfer. If you do wash tea towels with clothes, stick to similar colours and leave out any particularly dirty items.

Can You Wash Tea Towels with Bath Towels?

Washing tea towels with bath towels isn’t generally recommended as it can increase the risk of bacteria transfer, particularly if the wash temperature is too low. However, for practical reasons, they can be washed together as long as your bath towels can safely handle a 60°C cycle.

How to Hand Wash Tea Towels

Handwashing your tea towels can be a good option if you want to give them extra care, or if you need a fresh one quickly without running a full washing machine load.

While the sample principles apply, pre-treating stains and allowing tea towels to dry completely, hand washing is a simple and effective alternative.

To wash tea towels by hand.

1. Fill a bowl or sink with hot water and a small amount of detergent.

2. Submerge the tea towel and gently move it around to loosen any dirt, grease, and food residue.

3. Rinse with clean water until all soap suds are removed.

4. Gently wring out any excess water, taking care not to twist the fabric too tightly.

Keeping Your Tea Towels Fresh

Washing your tea towels doesn’t need to be complicated, but getting the method right can make a real difference. By washing them regularly, using the correct temperature and detergent, and allowing them to fully dry between uses, you can keep your tea towels fresh, absorbent and hygienic for longer.

Choosing high-quality, sustainable tea towels also helps - both for your kitchen and the planet. Our organic cotton herringbone tea towels are ethically made, designed to last, and available in a range of colours to suit your home. Shop our range of tea towels here.