5-Step Guide to Deep-Cleaning Cotton Kitchen Towels

Kitchen towels work hard every day. From wiping spills to drying hands and cleaning up little messes, they’re always busy. But even if they look clean after a regular wash, they can still hold onto grease, stains, and smells. That’s where deep-cleaning comes in.

If you live in Belgium—whether you're in Brussels, Ghent, or Antwerp—chances are you use kitchen towels often. And if you want them to last longer and stay fresh, learning how to deep-clean them is a smart move.

This guide will walk you through why regular washing isn't enough, how often to deep-clean, and what you’ll need to do it right. It’s simple once you know the steps!

Why Regular Washing Isn’t Enough

Washing your kitchen dish towels in the machine is a great start. But it doesn’t always get the job done.

Over time, towels absorb more than just water. They pick up:

• Grease and oil from cooking
  

• Bacteria from raw food and dirty surfaces
  

• Odours from everyday use
  

• Soap or detergent buildup

Regular washing might clean the surface, but deeper stuff can stay trapped in the fabric. That’s especially true for cotton towels, which are super absorbent.

If your tea towels still smell strange after washing, or feel a little stiff, that’s a sign they need more than a quick spin. Deep-cleaning helps lift out the stubborn grime and brings your towels back to life.

How Often Should You Deep-Clean?

The answer depends on how often you use your dish towels. Here’s a good rule of thumb:

• Heavy use (daily cooking and cleaning): Deep-clean every 2–3 weeks
  

• Light to moderate use: Deep-clean every month
  

• If they smell bad or feel stiff: Deep-clean right away, even if it’s sooner

If you’re using the best kitchen towels that last longer and cost a bit more, deep-cleaning helps protect your investment. It also keeps your towels looking good and working well.

Tip: Keep a rotation of towels, so you’re not using the same ones every day. This gives you more time between deep-cleans.

What You’ll Need for Deep-Cleaning Cotton Kitchen Towels

You don’t need fancy supplies. Just a few basics you probably already have:

Ingredients:

• Boiling water (from your kettle or pot)
  

• White vinegar (removes smells and kills bacteria)
  

• Baking soda (breaks down grease and softens fabric)
  

• Laundry detergent (a simple one, not too heavy)
  

• Oxygen bleach (optional for stains – make sure it’s safe for cotton)

Tools:

• A large bucket or basin
  

• A clean sink or tub
  

• Washing machine
  

• Drying rack or clothesline

That’s it! With these tools, you’ll be ready to deep-clean your dish cloths and even your older dish towels that have seen better days.

Once your kitchen cloth is fresh again, you’ll notice how much better it works. And you might even get a few new kitchen towel use ideas once they feel soft and clean again!

How to Deep-Clean Cotton Kitchen Towels in 5 Simple Steps

Deep-cleaning your cotton kitchen towels doesn’t take much time. You just need a few basic supplies and a little patience. Let’s go step by step.

Step 1: Soak the Towels in Hot Water and Vinegar

Hot water helps loosen up grease and grime. Vinegar helps kill bacteria and remove bad smells.

Here’s what to do:

• Boil a large pot of water or use very hot tap water.
  

• Fill a basin or sink with the hot water.
  

• Add 1 cup of white vinegar.
  

• Place your kitchen dish towels, tea towels, and dish cloths into the water.
  

• Let them soak for at least 30 minutes. If they’re really dirty, soak them for up to 1 hour.

You might notice the water changing color. That’s a good sign—dirt and oils are coming out!

Step 2: Add Baking Soda for a Second Soak (Optional But Powerful)

If your dish towels still feel greasy or smell odd, baking soda can help break down what’s left.

Here’s how:

• After the vinegar soak, drain the water.
  

• Rinse the towels quickly with clean water.
  

• Refill the basin with hot water.
  

• Add ½ cup of baking soda.
  

• Soak the towels for another 30 minutes.

This step helps lift out deep-set odors and makes your kitchen cloth feel softer.

Step 3: Wash in the Washing Machine

Now it’s time for a proper machine wash.

Instructions:

• Use your regular laundry detergent.
  

• Set your machine to a hot water cycle (60°C is great for cotton).
  

• Add a scoop of oxygen bleach if your towels have stains (not chlorine bleach).
  

• Run a full cycle.

Washing helps remove everything loosened during the soaking.

Tip: Don’t overload the machine. Give the towels space to move around.

Step 4: Dry Properly

Drying matters more than you might think. It helps prevent mildew and keeps towels fluffy.

Two best ways:

• Air dry outside in sunlight, if the weather is good. Sunlight also helps with any leftover bacteria.
  

• Use a dryer on low to medium heat. Add a clean dryer ball or a rolled-up sock to keep towels from clumping.

Avoid hanging towels in a damp bathroom. They’ll stay wet too long and might get musty.

Step 5: Fold and Store the Right Way

Now that your towels are clean and fresh, store them properly so they stay that way.

Tips:

• Make sure they’re fully dry before folding.
  

• Store them in a cool, dry place—not near the stove or sink.
  

• Keep a rotation going. Use the oldest towels first and save your best kitchen towels for when guests come over or when you need something reliable.

If you're looking for kitchen towel use ideas, deep-cleaned towels are great for wiping counters, drying produce, or even wrapping fresh bread!

That’s it! These five steps can make even older towels feel like the best dish towels again.

Conclusion

Taking care of your kitchen towels doesn’t have to be hard. A regular wash is good, but a deep-clean now and then makes a big difference. You’ll get rid of smells, stains, and buildup—and your towels will last longer and work better.

So go ahead—try the deep-cleaning steps and enjoy the fresh, soft feel of your towels again. Your kitchen (and your nose) will thank you.

For more smart home care tips and quality essentials like the best dish towels, check out Wisely Market—your go-to source for thoughtful, useful everyday products.

FAQs

1. Can I deep-clean coloured towels without fading them?

Yes! Just avoid bleach and use vinegar and baking soda instead. They're safe for colors.

2. Is it safe to mix vinegar and baking soda?

Yes, but don’t store them mixed. Use them one after the other during the soak and wash steps.

3. Can I deep-clean microfiber towels the same way?

No. Microfiber needs a gentler wash—skip the vinegar and baking soda.

4. Do I need hot water every time I deep-clean?

Yes, hot or boiling water is key to breaking down grease and killing germs.

5. What’s the best way to dry towels after deep-cleaning?

Air-drying in sunlight is best, but a machine dryer on low heat works too.