The kitchen towel does not get the credit it deserves. From wiping up kitchen experiments gone awry to drying dishes to consistently getting left behind during laundry runs, this humble essential goes through a lot. But what’s the right way to keep it clean and sanitary?
Kitchen towels, by their very nature, come into contact with various food residues, grease, and moisture on a regular basis, creating an ideal environment for bacteria to thrive. They’re also primarily used on dishes and cutlery, increasing the risk of contact with bacteria. Proper cleaning not only ensures hygiene but also extends the kitchen towel’s lifespan and maintains its absorbency.
Can you boil kitchen towels to clean them?
Boiling has long been touted as a foolproof method to sterilize anything and everything—including towels. The idea is simple: Heat kills bacteria. By immersing towels in boiling water, proponents argue you can eliminate germs effectively without the need for harsh chemicals.
While we don’t recommend boiling clothes to clean them, as the extreme heat can damage the fabric and cause other issues, when it comes to hyper-durable, low-cost kitchen towels, the damage might be an acceptable consequence: If your kitchen towels tend to have a short lifespan before you toss them, recycle them, or repurpose them for other non–food-adjacent needs, having that lifespan shortened by repeated boiling might not be a big deal. That said, if you’re particularly attached to your kitchen towels, collect novelty towels, or otherwise object to the idea of having to replace those towels regularly, you might be better off not boiling them to maintain some longevity.
Best Practices for Kitchen Towel Care
Fans of the method have it right: Boiling your kitchen towels does kill any bacteria in the fabric. But doing so, without using any additives, won’t remove all the food residue, dirt, dust, or lingering smell kitchen rags can give off. You need soap for that. In many cases, these tips for taking care of your kitchen towels might be as effective (or even more effective) than boiling them.
Regular Washing
Aim to wash kitchen towels frequently, ideally after each use if heavily soiled, to prevent bacterial buildup.
Hot Water and Detergent
Most of your detergents will remove bacteria and residue in a standard washing machine cycle with detergent and hot water (typically around 140° Fahrenheit or 60° Celsius).
Separate Towels
Avoid mixing kitchen towels with other laundry items to prevent cross-contamination.
Air Dry
Whenever possible, air dry your towels in direct sunlight, as UV rays can further help clean them.
How to Boil Your Kitchen Towels
If you’re still having problems with stubborn odors and stains, you can add boiling your kitchen towels as a last step to your washing routine. Throw them in the washing machine, separately from your clothes. Turn up the temperature setting on your washing machine, and then dry your towels normally. Boil some water in a wide pot and put your towels in it. Add bleach if needed (and if your towels are of a color that won’t be ruined by the bleach) and stir occasionally for 10 to 15 minutes. Remove them from the pot and set them to air dry. This should give you squeaky clean results. And if the stains just aren’t budging, you might have to try your hand at laundry stripping.
