Are you sure that your tea towels are clean and sanitized? Here's how to wash them properly
Tea towels are indispensable in keeping hands, plates, crockery, tools and worktops dry and clean; and for this reason, tea towels can get very dirty.
To ensure proper hygiene in a kitchen, the tea towels must be regularly sanitized. So what are the best ways of doing this?
Well, keep reading to find out how to perform this important cleaning chore.
The correct washing frequency for tea towels
The frequency you wash your tea towels depends on the use made of them: a tea towel that you only use to dry your hands, for example, can be used for longer than one that is used to dry and clean plates, crockery and worktops.
Generally, tea towels should be washed once a week, but this frequency will need to be increased if you use them with/on utensils that are in contact with raw meat, fish or eggs - all of which are efficient transmitter of germs and bacteria. For tea towels used like this, they should be used once every two or three days.
Of course, such frequent washing of tea towels will increase how often you will need to use your washing machine, so try to plan your overall laundry duties and loads around this need.
How to wash and sanitize tea towels
Frank C. Muller/Wikimedia Commons
So what is the best way to wash and sanitize tea towels?
Where there are stubborn stains, a pre-treatment will be necessary, which will differ depending on the type of stain to be removed:
- Dishwashing liquid or Marseille soap is be perfect for removing oil or grease stains; just apply these products to the area to be treated, rub and leave to act for a few minutes before washing;
- Soaking is preferable if there are a lot of stubborn stains. You can use warm water with baking soda or warm water and white vinegar in equal parts;
- For very stubborn stains, use hydrogen peroxide, but only if your tea towels are white; apply the hydrogen peroxide directly to the stains and leave to act for a few minutes before proceeding with a regular wash.
Once you have treated any stains, you can proceed with washing your tea towels: fill the drum to no more than 80% full and set at a temperature of no higher than 60 degrees C. Use eco-friendly, non-aggressive detergents.
How often do you wash your tea towels?
