Is There Really A Difference Between Dish Towels And Kitchen Towels?
Three experts explain.
Getty Images
Most kitchens have a designated drawer or area for kitchen towels. They handle multiple tasks, such as drying dishes, wiping down the counters, cleaning up spills, drying your hands, or even as a substitute pot holder. Towels are essential, no matter if you cook daily or infrequently, to keep the kitchen clean.
There are different sizes, materials, and styles of towels to use for specific kitchen tasks. A towel is a towel, right? It's nuanced. "Just as there are different cutting boards for raw poultry, fish, and meat; cooked meats; veggies and fruits; and items such as bread, the same holds true with kitchen towels," says Julie Edelman, author of The Accidental Housewife, based in Florida.
Three cleaning experts explain what the difference is between kitchen and dish towels, the materials they are made of, and how they are typically used.
The Difference Between Dish Towels And Kitchen Towels
Kitchen towels and dish towels may be used interchangeably, though there is an important distinction. Each serves different purposes in the kitchen. "Kitchen towels are the category," says Edelman. "Dish towels and tea towels are types in the category."
These towels have specific purposes in the kitchen and are made with different materials, too. The absorbency, texture and weave are different based on the intended uses, says Kathy Turley, Director of Marketing for Home Clean Heroes, based in Virginia Beach, Virginia.
"Kitchen towels are more the 'decorative' towels that you generally leave on display in your kitchen and used for more gentle purposes such as drying your hands or wiping countertops," says Turley.
As the name implies, dish towels are used for drying the dishes.
How They Are Used
Kitchen towels are not only a category, but they are often considered a multi-purpose towel. "Kitchen towels are used to wipe down countertops, dry your hands, grab a hot pot, or even as a quick wipe for spills," says Shields. These types of towels aren't designed to absorb or hold a lot of moisture.
Dish towels have a specific role. Their main function is to dry dishes, silverware, cups, and glasses. "They're designed to dry your dishes, glassware, and sometimes your hands, too," says Elizabeth Shields, Operations Manager of Super Cleaning Service Louisville.
The Materials
Dish towels are typically made from terry cloth to better absorb water and moisture. "Dish towels are heavier and thicker, with a loose weave–think [of the] very absorbent waffle weave or terry cloth," says Turley. A thicker material makes it easier to dry a pile of dishes. "Their absorbency enables them to trap moisture and leave fewer water spots and streaks," says Edelman. "They also dry more quickly."
Kitchen towels are made with lighter fabric and aren't the best for absorbing moisture. "Kitchen towels are soft and lightweight with a tight weave and made of thin cotton or linen fabric," says Turley. "Kitchen towels are not going to be ideal for drying dishes as they will get wet quickly and you'll need several to get the job done."
Do You Need Kitchen And Dish Towels?
Having kitchen and dish towels is a good idea because they serve different purposes. "I can’t imagine doing kitchen tasks without these guys," says Shields. "It’s for hygiene purposes and you need them for different jobs."
Using different towels for designated tasks reduces cross-contamination, too. You don't want to use a towel with grease or meat juices and then wipe your hands, for example. "The towel you use to clean up a sauce spill shouldn’t double as the one you dry your plates with," says Shields.
Stocking up on kitchen and dish towels means you don't have to skimp or worry about not having clean towels when some are in the laundry. "Having multiple towels of both kinds allows for a constant supply of clean towels while others are being washed, especially if you cook frequently," says Turley. Shields recommends rotating towels frequently to avoid wearing them out quickly.
