Tea Towels

Gooby · 18/05/12 - 10:20

I have a real problem with finding tea towels that soak up liquid properly so they dry things rather than just smearing the water around.

Does anyone have recommendations from experience.

I have fallen for the 'miracle towel' type ones which end up being just useless.

surfie · 18/05/12 - 12:03

Gooby wrote: »

I have a real problem with finding tea towels that soak up liquid properly so they dry things rather than just smearing the water around.

Does anyone have recommendations from experience.

I have fallen for the 'miracle towel' type ones which end up being just useless.

If you use conditioner when washing your tea towels don't. The same with bath towels. It may make them feel rougher but conditoner helps inhibit water absortion on towels

missloo · 18/05/12 - 12:24

I know what you mean - i got some from tescos last week and they just push the water around.

I find that ones like this http://www.marksandspencer.com/Marks-and-Spencer-Multi-Striped-Towels/dp/B000LCERVK?ie=UTF8&ref=sr_1_2&nodeId=42966030&sr=1-2&qid=1337340221&pf_rd_r=110XQF89BJCVKJ1RWHJY&pf_rd_m=A2BO0OYVBKIQJM&pf_rd_t=301&pf_rd_i=0&pf_rd_p=215485807&pf_rd_s=center-3 with a textured surface work well

molliepops · 18/05/12 - 13:04

I always like to boil my tea towels when I buy them and as has been said don't add conditioner to the wash before using them, they have a starch put on them to keep them looking good in the shop which stops them soaking up liquids so you need to get that out of them to start.

c00kiemonster72 · 18/05/12 - 13:06

I just use paper towel;)

molliepops · 18/05/12 - 13:28

Where I work they have just decided that's a good idea, if you have pans and pots and roasting tims etc it really isn't as the amount you need to use costs a fortune and cannot be good for the planet.

SeasideLady · 18/05/12 - 13:36

I find the big 'souvenir' type tea towels that you get in places you visit, work very well. I'm still using some I've had 20 years, and they're faded but do a great job drying. The big white glass cloths, with a colour stripe on them from linen union are perfect for glass as they leave no lint at all.

[Deleted User] · 18/05/12 - 13:38

Get ones made of Irish linen. Not the cheapest, but worth it. I think Lakeland sells them. Nothing worse than cheap tea-towels that don't do the job!

Gooby · 18/05/12 - 13:50

Thanks for all the top tips. The M&S ones do look similar to ones I have tried before but I haven't tried boiling them.
Will check out Lakeland too.

diablo · 18/05/12 - 13:57

Some of the ones I have must be twenty years old but most are still in one piece and dry well. Though a few have gotten holes.

I have some new ones somewhere - I think I'll boil wash them before I try using them.

Don't use them as often now I have a dishwasher.

[Deleted User] · 18/05/12 - 15:25

you shouldnt dry the dishes cos of bateria, you should leave them to dry on the draining board..done this in work when i worked in a bakery, years ago..I even dry with tea towels though

molliepops · 18/05/12 - 16:04

Great if you have loads of space and time. Quicker mine are put away the better or we look like we have no work tops at all lol

SherbetLemon · 19/05/12 - 00:02

Gooby wrote: »

I have a real problem with finding tea towels that soak up liquid properly so they dry things rather than just smearing the water around.

Dish towels made from terry towelling are the most absorbent, imo. They may be old-fashioned, but sometimes old is gold.

surfie wrote: »

If you use conditioner when washing your tea towels don't. The same with bath towels. It may make them feel rougher but conditoner helps inhibit water absortion on towels

Have been washing all towels with fab con for decades and never had a problem with absorbancy. Never use a tumble dryer so that may - or may not - have something to do with our experience.

Hey there!

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