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Three 100% organic cotton tea towels with botanical and illustrated designs hanging outdoors against a green leafy background

How to Care for Tea Towels: Tips to Keep Them Looking Luxe

Why Caring for Your Tea Towels Is a Must

Tea towels are more than just kitchen helpers — they're functional art. Whether you're using charming tea towels in your home or gifting signature tea towels for a special occasion, keeping them in tip-top shape helps preserve their elegance and longevity.

Invest in Quality Tea Towels First

All care starts with quality. Choose cotton tea towels or linen-cotton blend tea towels made from premium, ethically sourced fibres like those in our custom-printed ranges. We use eco-friendly inks and ensure each towel is made to last — think high-end towels.

The First Wash: A Crucial Step

Before showing off your designer kitchen towels, give them a gentle wash. This removes any finishing agents and improves absorbency.

  • Wash in cold water (30°C max)
  • Use mild, bleach-free detergent
  • Skip the fabric softener — it reduces the towel's drying ability

Daily Washing: Do It Right

Washing tea towels with your standard dish towels? Go for it — just separate colours and fabrics. For your quality tea towels, especially those with personalised designs, treat them with extra care:

  • Wash on a delicate cycle
  • Stick to cold or warm water
  • Avoid overloading your machine

Drying: Air Is Your Friend

Line drying in the sun is the Aussie way and perfect for our climate. It not only saves energy but naturally sanitises and brightens white towels. Do not tumble dry.

How to Handle Kitchen Stains

Life happens. That splash of olive oil or beetroot juice? No worries.

  1. Rinse immediately in cold water.
  2. Apply dish soap or a gentle stain remover.
  3. Wash as normal.

Our cotton kitchen towels are durable enough to handle most messes and will hold up to repeated washes when cared for promptly.

Ironing Tips for a Luxe Finish

Hosting guests or styling your kitchen? Ironing your luxury dish towels can elevate their look. Turn them inside out or use a pressing cloth to protect custom prints.

Rotate and Rest: Prolong Their Life

Have a few on rotation. This protects your favourite tea towel from daily wear and tear.

Storage: Keep Them Fresh

Store folded tea towels in a dry drawer with a scented sachet or cedar ball to keep them smelling as lovely as they look. Hanging them also prevents mould and wrinkles.

Quarterly Deep Clean for That 'Just-Bought' Look

Try this once a season:

  • Soak in warm water with 1/2 cup baking soda and a splash of vinegar
  • Leave overnight
  • Rinse and wash normally

This helps preserve colour and texture — even for darker tones like forest green or navy.

When It’s Time to Retire

If your once-luxury kitchen towels are now frayed, repurpose them! Cut them up as cleaning cloths or recycle as they’re 100% organic cotton. Although we do have cater’s with tea towels over 20 years old still going strong. 

Conclusion

Caring for your tea towels doesn’t take much, but the payoff is huge. A well-maintained one-of-a-kind tea towel from Expressions doesn’t just serve a purpose — it tells a story. And with proper care, it’ll keep telling that story beautifully for years to come.

FAQs

Can I machine-wash all Expressions tea towels?

Absolutely! Just avoid heat (cold wash) and bleach products. All our cotton tea towels and cotton-linen blends are designed for easy care.

Do your tea towels come in sets or individually?

Both! You can create your own tea towel selection, including custom prints for weddings, events, or promotions.

Are these suitable as gifts?

Yes — especially our hymn tea towels or Tea Towel - Sherbet Stripes options. Many of our clients use them as elegant kitchen gifts.

How do I keep printed designs from fading?

Wash in cold water, avoid tumble drying, and never iron directly over the design.

Ready to Upgrade Your Tea Towels?

👉Browse Our Premium Tea Towels
👉 See Our Branding Solutions

Give your kitchen the luxe it deserves — with quality tea towels that are practical, beautiful, and proudly Australian made.

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