Kitchen towels are essential items that every home cook relies on daily.
However, with their constant use, these linens can easily become disorganized and clutter your cabinets or drawers.
Proper storage is key to keeping your dish towels tidy and accessible when you need them.
Assess Your Current Dish Towel Situation
Before setting up a new organizational system, take stock of your current dish towel situation. Here are some key steps:
Once you’ve completed this assessment, you’ll know exactly how many linens you need to store and can measure the storage area accurately.
Fold Towels Uniformly Using the KonMari Method
Folded uniformly, towels will stack neatly and stand upright in your chosen storage space. The KonMari folding method created by organizational expert Marie Kondo is ideal for kitchen linens.
Here are the folding steps:
Folding dish towels this way keeps them tidy, visible, and easy to grab when needed.
Use Drawer Organizers or Dividers
Plastic or wire drawer organizers are great for neatly corralling kitchen linens. They create compartments to separate dish towels from hand towels, cleaning rags, and more. Here are some top options:
Consider designating certain bins or sections solely for clean versus used towels to prevent cross-contamination.
Store Towels Vertically in a Drawer
Simply folding towels using the KonMari technique and standing them vertically in a drawer keeps linens visible and organized. Stacked horizontally, towels just become a jumbled heap. Storing them vertically prevents this.
Place folded towels side by side in rows, using the entire vertical space of the drawer. This vertical storage method also lets towels air out for freshness.
Hang Towels Inside a Cabinet Door
Make use of cabinet door space by hanging towels from sturdy hooks. Adhesive or screw-in hooks work well.
Closing the cabinet door hides the towels from view while keeping them at your fingertips.
Mount a Rod Under Wall Cabinets
Installing a tension rod or towel bar right under your wall cabinets gets towels off the counter. Mount it below wall cabinets near the sink or stove for quick access when cooking.
Opt for spring-loaded rods that expand to fit the width of your cabinetry. Or go for a fixed stainless steel or wooden rod for a built-in look.
Display Towels in a Hanging Fruit Basket
For a charming farmhouse look, store folded dish towels in a hanging wooden fruit basket. The ventilation allows towels to dry out between uses.
Search for shallow baskets about 4 inches deep – the perfect size to display towel folds. Hang the basket on a cabinet door or knob within easy reach.
Roll Towels Inside a Metal Canister
Roll up towels neatly and stand them inside a stainless steel or galvanized metal canister. The cylindrical shape holds multiple rolled towels while keeping them tidy.
Search for canisters between 4 to 6 inches in diameter. Place on the counter or mount them to the wall for easy access.
Use Decorative Crocks or Jars
Stoneware crocks or glass canning jars lend vintage farmhouse charm while corralling towels.
Fill the jar or crock with folded towels. Their weight will keep the vessel in place on the counter. Just be sure to empty and fully dry towels between uses to prevent mildew.
Stash Towels in a Sliding Drawer
Install a custom sliding drawer right inside a standard drawer to double your storage. Build a wooden drawer box to fit inside the existing drawer space, adding side handles for sliding.
This clever hack hides towels away while keeping them accessible. Make sure the sliding drawer is shallow enough to clear the main drawer above when opened.
Toss Towels in a Laundry Basket Below Sink
For an ultra-casual (but space-savvy) approach, place a small laundry basket below the sink to collect used towels.
The open basket allows ventilation so towels dry faster. Toss linens directly into the basket when wet or dirty for easy cleaning.
Hang Towels on Magnetic Strips
Install magnetic strips right on front of cabinets or under wall shelves to hang towels with no hardware required. The strong magnets hold towels securely.
Cut towels with a loop sewn on one end to slide easily over the magnetic strip. Pull towels off effortlessly when needed.
Use Command Hooks for Quick Hanging
Adhesive Command hooks offer a super quick and removable way to hang towels, no drilling or hardware required.
Stick hooks inside cabinet doors, under shelves, or on the sides of your kitchen island. Drape towels over the hooks for an instant hand-towel station.
Mount a Towel Ladder Near the Sink
A leaning ladder-style towel rack positions towels vertically for quick drying and easy access. Search for a ladder design with wide, deep rungs to hold folded towels.
Mount the ladder near the kitchen sink for convenient access while washing dishes and doing cleanup. The vertical design helps linens dry fast.
Set Up “His & Hers” Towel Stations
For busy family kitchens, create personalized hand towel stations for each family member. Mount individual hooks near the sink labeled with family member’s names.
Having dedicated hooks prevents towel mix-ups. It also teaches kids to clean up after themselves when they use their assigned towel.
FAQs
How many dish towels should you have?
This depends on family size, how often you cook, and how frequently you do laundry. A good rule of thumb is to have at least one towel per person, plus a few extras. 10-15 towels suit most average families.
Where should you store kitchen towels?
The most convenient spots are near the sink, stove or countertops for easy access when cooking and cleaning. Cabinet doors, drawers, hanging racks or baskets work well.
How should you wash dish towels?
Wash towels after each use using hot water and bleach to kill bacteria. Chlorine bleach is best for disinfecting. Don’t mix dish towels with regular laundry – always wash separately.
Should you use bleach on dish towels?
Yes, you should regularly disinfect towels and cloths with bleach. The hot water and bleach kill germs that can transfer to hands and food. Be sure to rinse towels thoroughly.
How do you dry dish towels quickly?
Use hanging racks, towel ladders or baskets that allow air circulation for fastest drying. Storing towels vertically also helps. Replace towels often and wash frequently to prevent mildew smells.
Conclusion
A designated storage solution for kitchen towels helps keep this high-use area organized. Options like over-the-door racks, vertical drawer storage, or custom baskets give towels a tidy home while keeping them at your fingertips for cooking and cleanup.
Implementing an organizational system just for dish towels maintains tidiness and sanitation in your kitchen. No more digging blindly through a chaotic drawer or cluttered counter! With a regular laundry routine, your kitchen linens will always be fresh and at the ready when you need them.
