Kitchen towels easily accumulate grease, food residue, and bacteria. Although they may appear clean at first glance, they actually require thorough and frequent cleaning to stay in good condition and prevent them from becoming a source of dirt.
Here are some helpful tips to ensure they look truly impeccable, whether you use cloths at home or work in a professional kitchen, bar, or cafe.
In hospitality settings, where cloths become soiled more quickly and intensively, it's even more important to maintain a good cleaning routine to prevent the buildup of grease and bacteria.
1. Wash frequently
Ideally, kitchen towels should be changed daily, or every two days at the most. The longer they go unwashed, the harder it will be to remove stains and odors.
2. Separate by type of use
It's a good idea to use different cloths for hands, dishes, and surfaces. This way, you avoid mixing grease, bacteria, and food residue. When washing them, it's also best to separate them by type and level of soiling.
3. Hot water and good detergent
Hot water helps remove grease and disinfect better. An effective kitchen textile detergent or degreasing soap will be your best ally. You can add a tablespoon of baking soda or white vinegar to enhance the cleaning.
4. Pre-soak for tough stains
If a cloth has dried or stubborn stains, you can soak it in warm water withdetergent and baking soda for at least 30 minutes before washing. This helps loosen the dirt without excessive rubbing.
5. Avoid fabric softeners
Although they may seem like a good idea, fabric softeners can leave a film that reduces the fabric's absorbency. It's best to avoid them when washing kitchen towels.
6. Dry in the sun
Whenever possible, it's best to dry cloths outdoors and in the sun. Sunlight helps naturally eliminate bacteria and unpleasant odors. If using a dryer, be careful not to overload it to ensure even drying.
How to wash cloths by hand if you don't use a washing machine
If you don't have a washing machine handy, you can wash them in a bucket or pail with hot water, a good liquid detergent, and a little baking soda. Let them soak for at least 20 minutes, scrub the dirtiest areas, and rinse with plenty of water. Then, drain well and hang them in the sun.
How often should you renew the cloths?
Even if they're clean, cloths wear out over time, lose effectiveness, or retain stains. If they smell bad even after washing, are very worn, or show tears, it's time to replace them.
Common mistakes when washing kitchen towels
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Using cold water does not remove grease or disinfect properly.
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Mix them with clothes of other fabrics or colors.
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Store them moist or not completely dry.
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Leaving dirty cloths for days before washing them.
An extra for the care of your hands
Washing heavily soiled cloths can dry out your skin. Our hand gel is ideal for use after cleansing: it moisturizes, softens, and helps protect your skin from frequent contact with water and detergents .