How to Wash Tea Towels (So They Actually Come Out Clean)

Tea towels work harder than almost anything else in the kitchen. They dry dishes, wipe hands, mop up splashes and, if we're honest, get used as an oven mitt more often than they should. So it makes sense they need a bit more love on wash day than the rest of your laundry.

Here's how to wash tea towels properly, so they come out clean, stay absorbent and never develop that mystery smell.

How often should you wash tea towels?

Every one to two days of regular use is a good rule. If you've wiped up raw meat juices, egg or anything else you wouldn't want spread around the kitchen, swap it out straight away and put it in the wash.

The easiest way to stay on top of it is to keep a few in rotation. One out, one clean and ready to go, and one in the wash. No more scrambling for a fresh one while the dinner dishes pile up.

How to wash tea towels, step by step

1. Shake them out first. Crumbs and bits of food don't belong in your washing machine.
2. Wash them with other kitchen linens. Tea towels pick up grease and food residue, so it's best to keep them away from your good clothes.
3. Use your regular detergent. No need for anything fancy. Just don't overdo it, because excess detergent leaves residue that hangs on to smells.
4. Add a splash of white vinegar. Pop it in the softener drawer. It helps break down built-up residue and neutralises odours.
5. Skip the fabric softener. More on this below, but it's the number one reason tea towels stop drying properly.
6. Dry them completely. Hang them on the line in the sun if you can. A tea towel that goes back in the drawer slightly damp is a tea towel that's going to smell.

What temperature should you wash tea towels on?

Always check the care label, because it depends on what your tea towels are made from. Many cotton tea towels can handle a warm or hot wash. DirtyGirl tea towels are made from a polyester and polyamide blend that releases grime easily, so a cold wash at 30 degrees or less with your normal detergent is all they need. Cold washing is kinder on the power bill too, and it keeps prints bright for longer.

Why you should never use fabric softener on tea towels

Fabric softener works by coating fibres in a thin waxy layer. Not so lovely on something whose whole job is soaking up water.

Over time that coating builds up, so your tea towel starts pushing water around instead of absorbing it. It can also trap bacteria and smells in the fibres. If your tea towels have stopped absorbing, softener build-up is the most likely culprit. Wash them a couple of times with detergent and a splash of vinegar and they should come good.

Can you tumble dry tea towels?

Cotton ones usually can. DirtyGirl tea towels shouldn't go in the dryer, and the good news is they don't need to. They're designed to dry fast on the line or hanging over the oven handle, which is exactly why they don't go musty the way thick cotton ones do.

Should you bleach tea towels?

We'd skip it. Bleach weakens fabric and fades colour on most textiles, and it's a hard no for DirtyGirl tea towels. If you're dealing with marks, there are gentler ways to tackle them. Our guide on how to get stains out of tea towels goes through it stain by stain.

Quick tea towel care checklist

• Swap them every one to two days
• Cold wash with your regular detergent
• Splash of white vinegar in the softener drawer
• No softener, no bleach
• Dry fully, ideally in the sun
• Keep at least three in rotation

Already dealing with a smelly one? Our post on why your tea towels smell weird walks you through the fix.

Tea Towel FAQs

Can I wash tea towels with bath towels?

You can, but if you use softener on your bath towels, wash your tea towels separately so they stay absorbent.

Why do my tea towels still smell after washing?

Usually it's softener or detergent build-up, or they're not drying fully between uses. A vinegar wash and a proper dry in the sun fixes most cases.

Should I wash new tea towels before using them?

Yes. A wash before first use gets rid of any residue from manufacturing and gets them ready to absorb.

Ready to upgrade the tea towel drawer? Our tea towels are absorbent, quick-drying and come in prints you'll actually want hanging on the oven door. Full care details are in our Wash, Use & Care Guide.

Please note: the tips in this post are general information only. Every home, surface, fabric and appliance is different, so always check the manufacturer's care instructions and patch test on a small, hidden area first. Any tips are used at your own risk, and DirtyGirl can't be held responsible for any damage that may result.