A Kitchen Staple: Best Kitchen Towels

Kitchen towels are an essential kitchen item, but how do you know which kitchen towels to buy?

If our top 7 kitchen towels don’t appeal to you, there are several factors you may wish to consider when choosing your own. Get the kitchen towel best suited to you by using our helpful tips and recommendations below.

Things to consider before buying kitchen towels

Buying a kitchen towel might seem like a fast and easy task. However, if you want to buy the best kitchen towel and not just make do with the first one you find, you should keep the following things in mind.

Type of kitchen towel

There are a number of different kitchen towel types, all of which have different properties and uses.

Flour sack kitchen towels are based on the thinly woven cotton bags used to store grains and flour. Once empty, these cotton bags were used as kitchen towels. The finely constructed cotton lends itself to a kitchen towel that is quite absorbent.

Bar mops are a type of kitchen towel traditionally used to clean up bar spills. They are usually white with a stripe down the middle and have a number of different applications.

Dish towels are best for drying dishes. They are usually very absorbent and if made properly, will not shed lint. They are also perfect for removing streaks and water spots.

Chef towels are used for brushing away crumbs and wiping up oils and sauces. They are also good for removing dew from fresh produce. These towels are heavy-duty - chefs normally keep them draped over their shoulders.

Hand towels are on the smaller side of kitchen towels. As the name suggests, they are used to dry your hands after washing.

Tea towels have little practical use and are mainly for decorative purposes. These can be used to line tables and serving trays. Compared to other kitchen towels, tea towels often have the most vibrant designs. Many people collect tea towels because of the variety of styles available.

Material used

The material of the kitchen towel also plays a big part in how the towel is used. For example, tightly woven cotton is often considered the best material for kitchen towels. This is because cotton is very absorbent. Cotton is great for drying dishes and hands, yet it also lends itself to handling hot cookware because it is heat resistant.

Ring-spun cotton kitchen towels are less likely to lose the ability to absorb and usually maintain their shape, even after rigorous usage.

Linen is another viable option for a kitchen towel as this natural material doesn’t leave much lint. However, linen towels are usually much thinner than cotton and will transfer more heat, making them less useful around hot cookware. That being said, linen is a tougher material than cotton although it is slightly less absorbent.

Terry cloth is a fabric that is woven in a way that absorbs large amounts of water. Terry cloth is often made from 100% cotton but is sometimes made from polyester. Polyester is not as absorbent as cotton so it is best to check.

Multipack

Many kitchen towels come in multipacks, offering real value. You can often buy kitchen towels in packs of two, four, six, or twelve. Plus, having a uniform pack of towels can make your kitchen look more cohesive, not to mention even more stylish, too.

Drying time

Ideally, you want to buy a kitchen towel that is fast drying. After all, bacteria breeds quickly in moist conditions. Most kitchen towels won't come with a drying time description. If you want our advice, read some customer reviews to get an idea of how quickly a kitchen towel dries.

Drying ability

As a rule, heavier cotton kitchen towels will be more absorbent than their lighter counterparts. If you have the opportunity to buy a kitchen towel from a store you should pick it up and get a feel for it.

Style

Kitchen towels are available in a variety of styles. Most are striped or checkered but you can find towels with more adventurous prints. Many kitchen towels display animals, scenery, foods, or beverages. Whatever the color or theme of your kitchen, there is probably a kitchen towel to match it. If you cannot find the right style, there are plenty of retailers who will customize a kitchen towel for you.

Kitchen towel price range

The price of kitchen towels will vary depending on your towel requirements. For example, custom-made kitchen towels can cost you up to $25. Some tea towels with certain prints are considered collectible items and can cost upwards of $20. For a pack of four kitchen towels with a decent amount of absorbency, you should be looking to spend between $6-$15.

How we choose our kitchen towels

We understand that our buyer's guide may be the only one you read when choosing the right kitchen towel. We also understand that most people have busy lives, so our guides are designed to help everyone make an informed decision without spending too much time chasing information online. We take pride in our research and love bringing you the best.

We have read countless customer reviews to gain a broad knowledge of how each product stands the test of time.

We also keep tabs on various kitchen towel manufacturers, so we are fully aware of new products on the market. We will never include a product in any guide that we ourselves would not use. As a result, we take into consideration price, durability, material, and overall design before making our recommendations.

Kitchen Towel FAQ

Q: How often should I change my kitchen towels?

A: You should wash your kitchen towels daily. Washing them in hot water will kill any bacteria. We also recommend that you replace your kitchen towels if they become ripped, frayed, or stained.

Is it okay to wash kitchen towels with bath towels?

A: Not if you work in a kitchen. If it involves your business, anything kitchen-related should be washed separately. However, if you are washing your bathroom and kitchen towels together at home, this is completely fine.