Most people usually spend a lot of their time in their kitchen. Since kitchens can be crowded room, that happens when many family members are there - the activities you do in the kitchen are always fun, that is why many people look for the best materials to place in this space.
We can guarantee that there is a drawer in your kitchen that is filled with kitchen towels, more specifically tea towels in different shapes, sizes, or even patterns. Tea towels can be used for do-it-all things in the kitchen, such as wiping up any spills of drinks, food, drying the dishes, and even being used as a decoration piece for the dining table.
Tea towels are defined as cloth for drying the dishes. They are like the normal-sized kitchen or hand towels. They were used at tea ceremonies in England from early as the 18th century. Also, in the early ages of the tea towel popularity, most women used them to practice embroidery and then gift them to family members or friends. Usually, tea towels were decorated with flowers, initials, or other designs.
The beautiful thing about the towels is that they can come in different sizes. Most tea towels on the market come in 18’ x 26’ (45 x 65 cm) sizes, making them very convenient. Also, tea towels can come in smaller sizes and be considered a napkin. So, this is a very versatile piece for you to use.
As for the material, since tea towels are trendy and people use them a lot, there are quite a few materials to choose from. There is one thing that you need to have your attention to when looking for the perfect tea towel - absorbency. On the market, there are three most popular materials that you can choose from:
Terrycloth. It is a material constructed of piles of loops that are tightly sewn together. The fabric is made to soak up and retain the moisture of all the water.
Cotton. Some say this is the best material for a kitchen towel because cotton is absorbent. They are not wrong here, but cotton can be difficult to clean and not as long-lasting as linen.
Linen. It is the traditional material of any tea towel or kitchen towel, in general. The fibers of this material are softer than any linen fabric, so it is soft to the touch. Also, linen is one the most durable materials ever, and it dries quickly and absorbs water instantly.
Aesthetic and practical sides of the linen tea towel
We mentioned that tea towels could be used in many ways. Well, the most popular way to use them is in the kitchen. Usually, the kitchen is the place where you can do a lot of activities, including many DIY projects, cooking, baking, or just spending time with your loved ones.
So, it is natural that linen tea towels are around this space, and there are a lot of other linen kitchen pieces. Tea towels can be used practically and aesthetically - the between exists with these pieces. If we have to divide this into two sides:
The practical side of linen tea towels:
Kitchens can be a messy place, but the fun is always there when you do something. The practical side of linen tea towels can be dusting wooden surfaces, polishing china, jewelry, furniture, and other kitchenware. Also, it can be used for serving food. For example, you can place muffins on the tea towel or use them as a protective layer from hot pots and pans. Or breakfast setups.
The aesthetic side of linen tea towels:
Aside from the practical side of linen tea towels, you can use them as a decoration piece. How can this work? Well, since tea towels come in various sizes, colors, and patterns, you can most likely use them as a decoration piece. For example, tea towels can be displayed neatly folded over the oven door handle or hung on the hock mainly used for hanging your towels. This way, you can add specific colors or patterns to your kitchen to create playfulness.
If you are not using your tea towels, you can always stock them in the designated drawer in your kitchen. The beautiful thing about different tea towels is that you can change the mood with every tea towel you hang or use in the kitchen.
Benefits of a linen tea towel in your kitchen
As you know, linen is a standard textile that people have used for ages now. So, it is natural that almost all of the fabric you might have in your house are made from linen. In general, linen is well known as an all-natural fiber fabric. It can be shocking, but linen is considered a luxury fabric because of its unique structure.
So, it is a natural fiber made from the flax plant. This fabric has many benefits that are suitable for any person out there. One of these benefits is that linen fibers are thicker than cotton fibers. That is why a lower thread count is necessary to guarantee high quality and longevity.
This is just one of the things that linen is famous for. While looking for linen tea towels, other essential things are durability, absorbency, and sustainability.
The durability of a linen tea towel. We mentioned that linen is durable because of the lower thread count. The natural fiber of linen is robust due to the biological factors of the flax plant. Another thing about linen lifespan is that it gets softer with each wash, so you don’t have to worry about being too harsh on your skin.
The sustainability of a linen tea towel. Linen material is all-natural and made out of flaxseed. That is why linen tea towels are the most environmentally friendly. Linen material is biodegradable. Also, the germs in the fabric will not stay because the fabric itself has anti-bacterial abilities.
The absorbency of a linen tea towel. In general, linen fabric can absorb up to 20% of its weight in moisture. This ability makes linen one of the most favorite items in the kitchen. So, for linen tea towels, you can use them frequently as you want because they dry extra fast and they aren’t inconvenient.
How to keep your linen tea towel stain-free?
Care and hygiene of a linen tea towel are essential. Natural materials, such as linen - hard to compete against them. Why? Most people love it because it is not only a beautiful material but also, you can wash them frequently, and with every wash, it will be softer and softer.
Not only this thing is why people tend to choose linen tea towels. Other are the benefits it provides to you. But that remaining question is, how do you care for linen tea towels. Well, for starters, there can be a healthy routine for making sure that your linen tea towel stays clean. So, for example, there can be four steps to clean your linen tea towels, but don’t worry they are not that hard:
- Preparation for a wash.
One of the crucial steps out of all. You need to make sure that you spot-clean your tea towel and pre-treat any deep stains that might not come off during the initial washing process. There is always some stain to clean, so to make it more simple for you, we have a guide to all the possible stains and how to get them out.
- Detergent.
Well, this step is more for the practical side. Since linen is a natural fabric, it is best to use mild detergent as little as possible because it can damage the fibers. Another thing, use only liquid detergent because if you use powder, it stays in the fibers and can reduce the lifespan of your tea towels.
- Washing settings.
To ensure the lifespan of your linen, we suggest using lukewarm water to wash your linen tea towels. Linen doesn’t like hot water, so it is better to set the temperature at 104℉ (40℃). While cleaning your linen, it’s best if you don’t mix different materials, so wash your linen separately. Washing your linen alone will give your tea towels more room in the water, which will make them cleaner.
- Drying the linen.
We always say this - hang-drying linen is the best thing for linen. Of course, if you can’t do that, you can use a dryer but make sure you put it on the lowest temperature setting and remove it when it’s about 90% dry. Hang-drying your linen tea towels will ensure you get fewer wrinkles than when the machine dries.
How to organize linen tea towels?
Having a lot of linen tea towels is impressive because you can change them according to the season or your mood. But the thing is, how do you store them or where do you store them? There are quite a few ways to keep your linen tea towels. For example, you can store them in drawers, buffets, cabinets, or other places.
The neat and clean look is always pleasing to the eye. So, why not do that with your linen tea towels? Organizing can be a fun way to relax or a way for you to create an effortless look. After all, organizing the whole point should be convenient for you to grab one when you need it.
To solve this riddle or kitchen problem, we have a practical and aesthetic suggestion for you. This folding and storing method gives a tidier look, but also, it is a convenient thing. This particular method lets you stand the tea towel on its own. You can always store the folded tea towels in a basket, drawer. This way, you won’t have a mess, and you will have a clear view of all your beautiful linen tea towels.
The folding itself is easy; all you have to do is fold the tea towel in half longwise, then fold in half again a short way, and finish folding the tea towel into thirds, and it should stand up perfectly, for storing put the tea towels in the basket and keep them in the dark and dry place.
Summary
Decorating your kitchen can be fun, mainly using linen tea towels. This beautiful piece of linen can become a highlight of your kitchen space.
Don’t be afraid to experiment with different colors or patterns that linen tea towels come in. It can give you joy and practicality at the same time. Check our kitchen linen category if you want to jazz up your kitchen space with linen.
FAQ
- Is linen a good material for tea towels?
Yes, linen is a perfect material for tea towels. Linen is known for its absorbency, making it an ideal material to dry wet tableware, and you can use it frequently as you want.
- What is a linen tea towel used for?
Tea towels are used in the kitchen, such as wiping up any spills of drinks, food, drying the dishes, and even being used as a decoration piece for the dining table.