Linen Tea Towels Care & Uses

Linen Tea Towels

Linen is a textile which has been made for thousands of years from the fibres of the flax plant. The flax plant's Latin name is Linum Usitatissimum which aptly translates as 'most useful linen'. It is strong, durable, and a good conductor of heat. It is smooth to the touch and becomes softer and more absorbent the more times it is washed. It can absorb up to 20% of its own weight in moisture without feeling damp, and is one of the few fabrics that are stronger wet than dry. It is resistant to abrasion damage, resists dirt and stains, and is relatively easy to take care of. Linen tea towels and linen glass cloths are ideally suited to dry your kitchen dishes, cutlery, and glassware due to their super absorbency and lint-free surface drying action.

Taking Care Of Your Linen Tea Towels

We recommend that you wash your new linen teatowel at least once before first use. After repeated use and 3 or 4 washes, you will notice increased absorbency with the linen fibres. Try to launder stains when fresh. Machine wash or hand wash at a maximum of 50C. If hand washing, rinse very thoroughly to prevent soap and detergent residue brown spots appearing on your linen. Do not tumble dry - dry on a clothes line or a clothes horse. On the clothes line, face the non-printed side towards the sun to help reduce fading. This natural drying process will be reasonably quick. Steam iron on the reverse to prolong the printed design of your linen tea towel.

Environmentally Friendly Linen

The linen production process is very closely monitored from plant fibre to the end product to ensure environmental friendliness. The complete flax crop is used, with the leftover linseeds, oil, straw and fibre being incorporated into everyday products such as soap, lino, paper, bank notes, and cattlefeed. Waste is kept to a minimum, and all manufacturing process chemicals such as dyes and bleaches are fully treated before being responsibly disposed of. More information regarding Irish linen manufacture and Irish linen history can be found at the Irish Linen Guild website.

Tea Towel Uses

Tea towels are ideal for drying your kitchen dishes, kitchen glass and kitchen cutlery. Some alternative tea towel uses which you may or may not have considered are :

• wrap a gift in a tea towel and tie with ribbons to give a double present.
• place on tea trays to absorb spillage and prevent cups and saucers sliding about.
• cover kitchen machines such as mixers and food processors to help protect from dust.
• use as a hand drying kitchen linen towel.
• place a stack in the bathroom when having guests. Everyone has the use of a fresh towel for their hands.
• drape over naturally drying drainer dishes to protect from insects.
• use as a picnic food cover.
• drape over your breadboard and butter dish to protect from insects.
• use as table napkins.
• food cover for plates of sandwiches and cake.
• place on an occasional table top for decoration and protection.
• use as individual tablecloths.
• drape over freshly prepared bread, rolls and toast to help keep them warm.
• put over bread when it is rising.
• bread basket lining.
• shelf lining inside cabinets.
• sew into throw pillows and cushions.
• sew into a rice/cereal filled microwave heat pack, which is great for when feeling discomfort.
• make a linen tote bag.
• make a dust cover for a special book.
• sew 2 or 3 cut and altered tea towels together, add cotton twill tape, and create a nice and original apron.
• sew into a tube shaped holder for plastic shopping bags.
• braid and tie together 3 old tea towels into a dog rope toy.
• pin as decoration to the rear of wooden doors.
• cover a cork noticeboard.
• sew together to make designer linen cafe style curtains for your kitchen.
• drape over a kitchen cupboard door as a stylish designer linen accompaniment.
• doll sized blankets.
• give to a young child as a comforter tea towel.
• craft some delightful tea towel card wraps to give as gifts.
• picture frame for wall art.