What Are Tea Towels and How Can You Use Them?

Create Cafe Curtains

Tea towels come in a wide range of patterns, from vintage prints to modern graphics, and are ideal for inexpensive cafe curtains. Use a spring-tension rod and clip-on rings to create curtains in just a few minutes. Once you tire of the look, take off the rings and put the towels back to work in the kitchen.

Reduce Your Dependence on Paper Towels

A stack of tea towels can greatly reduce your dependence on paper towels and the amount of solid waste in your home. You'll still need to change and wash tea towels often since they are thin; you probably do laundry every few days anyway—the towels can be tossed in the washer with other linens and used over and over again. Once you get in the habit of using tea towels for the below uses (to name a few), you will rarely reach for a paper towel.

• Loosely wrap freshly washed salad and cooking greens in a tea towel to absorb excess moisture.
• Line refrigerator drawers with a clean tea towel to catch drips or moisture. Replace with a clean towel each week.
• Place a fresh tea towel on the counter at the beginning of each meal preparation for wiping hands and sweeping away crumbs.

Protect Kitchen Equipment

While tea towels are great for drying dishes, they are used for many other things, such as protecting items from becoming damaged. For instance, fold the towels to fit between stacked plates and pots and pans to prevent scratches. Use tea towels to line storage areas to help prevent chipping or scratches from wooden or wire shelves. And, if you are moving or packing up breakable items, tea towels are perfect padding.

Improve Your Cooking Skills

Tea towels can do more in the kitchen than clean up. They can enhance your cooking results, too.

• Dip a tea towel in hot water and wring until nearly dry to cover dough while it rises. The heat will help activate the yeast more quickly.
• Place a tea towel between the rim of a slow cooker and the lid to absorb condensation and prevent drips.
• Use a tea towel to strain yogurts, cheeses, and stocks. The tight weave will do a great job.

Dress a Dining Room Table

Tea towels are the perfect size for a placemat. Mix and match colors and designs for a fun table. Use them as generously sized napkins, as well.

Show Your Artistic Side

Solid-colored tea towels are the perfect base fabric for needlework. Add embroidery, cross-stitch, or embellishments for a one-of-a-kind look. (Every grandmother would love a tea towel that a child paints with their handprint or artistic flair.) Remember to use fabric paint or markers that will withstand many washes.

Be Prepared on the Go

Keep a stash of tea towels in the car to use as a napkin (or bib) when you must eat on the run. They are also handy if you need something clean and dry to sit on at a park or soccer field.

Make Some Pillows

With just a needle and thread, you can turn two tea towels into a great throw pillow. Sew the edges together, leaving a small opening. Stuff with polyester fiberfill and sew the opening closed. The pillow can be used on a chair, sofa, or bed—and it's washable.

Wrap Gifts

No need to hunt for wrapping paper or a gift bag, just use a tea towel to wrap gifts. A great pairing for gifted soaps, kitchen tools, or a bottle of wine, the towel becomes part of the present. Gather the edges of the towel around the gift and tie it all together with a pretty ribbon.

Accessorize Your Little One

Tea towels can be used for a burp cloth, bib, or even a diaper! The tightly woven fabric is very absorbent, easy to clean, and the natural fibers are gentle on a baby's skin.

Define a Work Area

If you are working on a small home repair project, use a tea towel to define your work area so that small screws and pieces don't become lost. A tea-towel base is also great for craft projects such as beading because the tight weave holds everything in place.

Never Toss a Stained Tea Towel

Eventually, tea towels will become stained and you may not want to use them in the kitchen. But never toss them! Old tea towels work great as:

• Dust cloths
• Spill absorbers on the floor
• Spot cleaners for carpet stains
• Window and mirror shiners
• Shoeshine cloths

Wrap a Loaf of Bread

To complete this baker's dozen of uses, a tea towel is perfect for wrapping a homemade (or bakery-bought) loaf of bread for gift-giving. The recipient can then use the towel in a bread basket to help keep your delicious bread warm when serving. The natural cotton or linen fibers help absorb moisture from the warm bread and prevent it from becoming soggy.