Let’s talk towels, tea towels, to be precise! A tea towel is similar to a regular towel or napkin, except it is soft and thin rather than heavy. It’s made of linen or cotton, or a combination of the two. To make it look more inviting and decorative, it has a woven or printed design on it. Tea towels are typically the size of a hand towel. Since the 18th century, they have been utilized in tea festivities. Tea towels are now extensively used in households and restaurants all over the world. Apart from being used as a napkin, a tea towel can be used in various ways. During the Eighteenth century, Tea towels were also used to learn embroidery. The tea towels stitched with flowers, initials, or other motifs were frequently given as gifts to friends and family. Tea towels have evolved with the times: most tea towels were supposedly created with striped or checked cloth in the 19th and 20th centuries for a more ornamental touch.
Most households have a drawer packed to the brim with tea towels of all shapes, sizes, and designs in their kitchen. There’s a reason for this: These multi-purpose kitchen towels are useful to clean up spills, dry dishes and add a touch of elegance to your dining room table. Moreover, when your child leaves a few (or many) stray crumbs on the counter, or you’re looking for last-minute dining room décor, these towels can come in handy. Tea towels can now be seen in kitchens and households all around the world. They can be used for anything from keeping fresh vegetables crisp to covering heated baked products. Unlike your average super-absorbent bath or hand towels, tea towels are flat-woven from linen or cotton rather than a higher-pile material like terry cloth to avoid leaving lint or streaks behind.
What a Tea Towel is made of
Tea towels are generally built of soft but substantial linen. Unlike dish towels, which are made of terry cloth and are designed to absorb liquids in the kitchen, tea towels are made of less absorbent material. To add to their attractiveness, they are frequently embroidered or printed with elegant designs or inscriptions. Tea towels ought to have more than just a single hue. They’re meant to be displayed rather than used to wipe up liquid spills in the kitchen. Tea towels require particular cleaning techniques because they are manufactured of a different fabric than typical dish towels. Colored tea towels should be washed separately from other fabrics and dried on a hanger. Tea towels dry fast on the line due to their lightweight fabric.
How to use a Tea Towel
A tea towel can be used in a lot more ways than it can’t. No, a tea towel cannot be used to wipe off kitchen counters or dry dishes from the sink. However, you may still use a tea towel to line your serving tray for meals or gatherings or even as kitchen shelf liners. And, if the towels grow a little old or soiled as cabinet liners, you can quickly take them out and give them a quick wash and refresh before placing them. Tea towels can also be used as temporary placemats. The point is that, despite their appearance as one of those kitchen objects you might want but never use, tea towels have a lot of uses, even if you’re not sure what they’re for.
Smart uses of Tea Towels.
Below are the few smart uses of the tea towel.
Less Reliance on Paper Towels
Reducing your reliance on paper towels is a good idea. A stack of tea towels can help you cut down on your use of paper towels and the amount of waste you cause at home. You typically do laundry every few days anyway, so the towels can be put in with the rest of your linens and reused. You’ll rarely reach for a paper towel once you’ve gotten into the habit of utilizing tea towels. The few tasks paper towels can be used for are the following:
To absorb excess moisture, lightly wrap freshly washed salad and cooking greens in a tea towel.
To collect drips or moisture, line refrigerator drawers with a clean tea towel.
While preparing for each meal, place a fresh tea towel on the counter for wiping hands and cleaning crumbs.
Decorate a Dining Room Table
Tea towels are a perfect size to spice up the table decor. For a fun table, mix and match colors and designs. They can also be used as large-scale napkins.
Show Your Creative Side
Tea towels in solid colors are ideal for embroidery as a ground fabric. For a one-of-a-kind look, add embroidery, cross-stitch, or accessories. Use fabric paint or markers that can endure multiple washes.
Wrap a Bread Loaf
A tea towel can be used to wrap a homemade (or bakery-bought) loaf of bread for gift-giving. When serving, the recipient can place the towel in a bread basket to keep your scrumptious bread warm. Natural cotton or linen fibers absorb moisture from the warm bread to keep it from getting soggy.
Never Toss a Tea Towel That Has Been Stained
Tea towels will eventually become discolored, and you may no longer want to use them in the kitchen. But never throw them away! Tea towels can be used in a variety of ways, including:
A cloth for dusting
On the floor, as spill absorbers.
Spot cleaners for spots on carpet
Shiners for windows and mirrors
Cloths for polishing shoes
Wrap Presents
You can wrap things with a tea towel instead of wrapping paper or a gift bag. The towel becomes a part of the present when it is paired with soaps, cooking implements, or a bottle of wine.
Accessorize Your Child’s Outfit
Burp cloths, bibs, and even diapers can all be made from tea towels. The natural fibers are soothing on a baby’s skin, and the tightly woven fabric is incredibly absorbent and easy to clean.
What makes a Tea Towel Different from a Dish Towel?
Tea towels, dish towels, whatever you choose to call them: the only time you shouldn’t use the names interchangeably is if you’re using a terry cloth towel. Tea towels are exclusively made of linen or cotton, but dish towels can be made of terry cloth. However, both types of towels are about the size of a hand towel. Tea towels, while not as absorbent as other choices (paper towels or terry cloth in particular), serve a variety of functions outside of the kitchen. When you’re not using tea towels to shield your counters from hot pots, dry leafy greens, or line cupboard shelves, they may be utilized for various other things.
Conclusion
In the present age, the tea towel is usually made of linen, weave, or cotton. It’s a long-lasting towel with a high-quality structure that can swiftly absorb liquids. It is commonly referred to as a kitchen towel but is more correctly referred to as a hand towel. In a busy kitchen, you won’t see the hand towel wasting time. You want a towel that will clean those nice glasses and plates without leaving any lint or blemishes when you put them down to serve. This simple, commonplace item has the power to make a big statement and give a new dimension to everyday life.
Tea towels aren’t highly recommended in every kitchen. You might be able to go for years without ever needing one. However, once you’re aware that tea towels exist and have seen how beautiful all of the printed designs may be, it’ll be difficult to resist. Fortunately, there are numerous ways to use tea towels and get enough usage out of them to make them worthwhile.
