A tea towel is a soft cloth made of linen, cotton or a combination of the two, and usually has an imprinted or woven design for decoration. Tea towels, which are approximately the size of a hand towel, date back to the 18th century, when they were originally used at tea ceremonies and to dry expensive fine china. Today, tea towels are found in kitchens and homes across the globe. They’re used for a variety of purposes, from keeping leafy greens crisp to covering warm baked goods.
The everyday tea towels I use are very similar to those shown in the above image, but there are many different designs available. From Christmas ones, to flowery ones even school class ones ... yes, I have a couple of those gifted me by the grandchildren!
It is of course important to keep them clean and hygienic and I share this recent article that you may find interesting.
"Microbiologist settles debate on how often you should wash your tea towels
A microbiologist has settled the long-lasting debate on how often you should wash your tea towels. The kitchen essential is used for pretty much everything from wiping spills to drying pots and pans. They do a lot of cleaning, yet when it comes to cleaning the towels themselves, people seem divided on how to handle it.
Some claim they should be cleaned daily, whilst others wait until it seems necessary, such as when they smell, or there are stains on them. Now, the debate has been settled.
According to the expert Dr Primrose Freestone from the University of Leicester, tea towels should be changed every day. This is because the essential can easily become a breeding ground for bacteria. If left for too long, you risk spreading dangerous bacteria such as E. coli and Salmonella across your kitchen surfaces.
Dr Freestone told the Daily Mail: "You could get sick if the tea towel has mopped up fluids with infectious bacteria in them and then re-used to contaminate a previously clean area."
On Reddit, where the discussion recently reignited, one person said they would only change their tea towel "when it stinks. When it looks dirty."
Similarly, another said: "I change things when they get gross. So, when you can see stains on the dish towels and cloths."
Though you have others who, as the microbiologist suggests, do swap out their dish cloths more often.
One commented: "Dishcloths and rags every day or every other day, MAX every third day. Anything else is gross when they're used in the kitchen."
Dr Freestone explained that when tea towels are used regularly for drying dishes and cleaning up mess, "an environment is created which favours growth of bacteria with dampness and nutrients".
She added: "Kitchens favour this growth by being quite warm environments. Bacteria which can cause food poisoning can grow well at room temperature."
So the next time you use a tea towel to dry some pots, or clean up a spill, it's worth putting it away to wash it before using it again."
Related post - 'Tea Towels ... date back to the 18th Century' - read it here
A microbiologist has settled the long-lasting debate on how often you should wash your tea towels. The kitchen essential is used for pretty much everything from wiping spills to drying pots and pans. They do a lot of cleaning, yet when it comes to cleaning the towels themselves, people seem divided on how to handle it.
Some claim they should be cleaned daily, whilst others wait until it seems necessary, such as when they smell, or there are stains on them. Now, the debate has been settled.
According to the expert Dr Primrose Freestone from the University of Leicester, tea towels should be changed every day. This is because the essential can easily become a breeding ground for bacteria. If left for too long, you risk spreading dangerous bacteria such as E. coli and Salmonella across your kitchen surfaces.
Dr Freestone told the Daily Mail: "You could get sick if the tea towel has mopped up fluids with infectious bacteria in them and then re-used to contaminate a previously clean area."
On Reddit, where the discussion recently reignited, one person said they would only change their tea towel "when it stinks. When it looks dirty."
Similarly, another said: "I change things when they get gross. So, when you can see stains on the dish towels and cloths."
Though you have others who, as the microbiologist suggests, do swap out their dish cloths more often.
One commented: "Dishcloths and rags every day or every other day, MAX every third day. Anything else is gross when they're used in the kitchen."
Dr Freestone explained that when tea towels are used regularly for drying dishes and cleaning up mess, "an environment is created which favours growth of bacteria with dampness and nutrients".
She added: "Kitchens favour this growth by being quite warm environments. Bacteria which can cause food poisoning can grow well at room temperature."
So the next time you use a tea towel to dry some pots, or clean up a spill, it's worth putting it away to wash it before using it again."
Words above from article seen here
Not all articles, or recipes, may be suitable for you. If you may have any food allergies, or underlying health issues these must always be taken into account. If you are a diabetic and not sure how certain foods may affect your blood sugars, test is best, i.e., use a reliable meter. If you have any concerns about your health, it is always advisable to consult your doctor or health care team.
All the best Jan
All the best Jan
2 comments:
This sounds like a good idea. I do wash mine daily.
I use and toss in the laundry pretty regularly..
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