Forget washing tea towels at high temperatures in the machine. There is an even more effective method to clean them and make them look like new!
Kitchen towels and microfiber cloths are essential in our kitchens and are used several times a day. They are essential for drying dishes, cleaning surfaces and mopping up small accidents. The problem ? They accumulate dirt, stubborn stains, and bacteria quickly, and few of us wash them often enough. This is problematic because they can contaminate our kitchens. Several studies have revealed the presence of numerous bacteria on our beloved tea towels, including Escherichia coli. It is therefore important to wash them every 3 days.
Many of us opt for machine washing on high heat to sanitize them. Although it is an effective means of cleaning, it uses a lot of energy and water. Another problem is that you don’t necessarily have enough laundry to put in the machine for washing at 60 degrees. Sometimes you have to wait several days before you can wash them. Fortunately, there is an equally effective and much more convenient way to disinfect them.
Here’s how to always have impeccable tea towels without using the washing machine. Start by preparing a mixture in a large basin with boiling water (80 to 90 degrees), a glass of white vinegar or 1/2 glass of baking soda. Soak your tea towels and rags in this mixture for several hours, or even overnight. The next day you will see that the water is a different color and the fabrics look like new. Rinse them with water and let them dry. Good news, this technique also works for your sponges.
If your tea towels are stained (which frequently happens in the kitchen), don’t forget to first remove them with Marseille soap, which is particularly effective against stubborn stains, including fats, oils and sauces of all kinds. For greater effectiveness, use Marseille soap bars that you can apply directly to the stained areas. Rub each cloth, paying particular attention to the stains. Leave on for 10 to 15 minutes, rinse and soak in the boiling water and white vinegar mixture.
Remember to wash your tea towels frequently to prevent stains from setting in and bacteria from proliferating. Ideally, it is recommended to apply this method every three days to keep your dishcloths bacteria-free.