When it comes to kitchen and bathroom towels, most people use the terms “dish towel”, “hand towel”, and “tea towel” interchangeably. However, there are some key differences between these towels that impact their intended use.
Dish towels are typically made of terry cloth or other highly absorbent fabric. They are designed for drying dishes, glassware, utensils, and even hands.
Hand towels tend to be lighter weight and are intended solely for drying hands in the kitchen or bathroom.
Dish Towel Materials
Dish towels are made to be highly absorbent so they can quickly soak up water from wet dishes. Here are some of the most common materials used:
- Terry cloth: The thick piled loops make terry cloth very absorbent. It’s the same material used in most bath towels.
- Cotton: High-quality cotton dish towels are very absorbent and long-lasting.
- Microfiber: Made from synthetic fibers, microfiber towels are super absorbent and fast-drying.
- Linen or cotton-linen blends: Less absorbent than terry or cotton but more durable over time. The smoother surface also causes less lint.
When selecting dish towels, consider factors like absorbency, drying time, durability, lint production, and personal preference on thickness and feel. Terry cloth and microfiber tend to be the most absorbent options.
Key Takeaway: Dish towels are made from highly absorbent materials like terry cloth and microfiber so they can soak up lots of water.
Hand Towel Materials
While still reasonably absorbent, hand towels are made from lighter weight materials than dish towels. Here are some standard hand towel fabrics:
- Cotton: Lightweight cotton with either a looped or smooth surface is very common. Often has a decorative pattern or stripes along the border.
- Linen: Lightweight linen hand towels have a smooth, lint-free surface.
- Microfiber: Very lightweight microfiber hand towels dry hands quickly without leaving lint behind.
- Bamboo: Made from fast-growing bamboo fibers, these towels are soft and absorbent.
The lighter weight of these fabrics allows them to dry hands efficiently without ending up sopping wet. The materials also tend to produce less lint which is essential for a hand drying towel.
Table Comparing Dish Towel vs Hand Towel
| Towel Type | Common Fabrics | Key Qualities | Best Uses |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dish Towel | Terry cloth, cotton, microfiber, linen | Highly absorbent, durable | Drying dishes, glassware, utensils, hands |
| Hand Towel | Lightweight cotton, linen, microfiber, bamboo | Reasonably absorbent, lint-free | Drying hands |
Absorbency
The number one consideration when selecting a dish towel is absorbency. The whole point of these towels is to soak up water quickly and thoroughly from dishes so they dry fast. Using a lightweight hand towel for this purpose would take forever as the thin material can only hold so much liquid.
Most dish towel materials can absorb 4-6 times their weight in water. Microfiber amazingly can absorb up to 8 times its weight. So thicker dish towel fabrics physically contain more space between fibers to capture water.
Even very nice linen or decorative cotton hand towels cannot compare to the water-wicking ability of terry cloth and microfiber dish towels.
When drying dishes by hand, it’s essential to have a high capacity dish towel that can soak up all that excess moisture quickly. This allows dishes to dry faster so they can be put away clean. A heavily soaked dish towel also needs to be easy to wring out so it’s ready to keep absorbing more water.
Key Takeaway: Dish towels are made of fabrics that can absorb 4-8 times their weight in water, making them far more suitable for drying dishes than lightweight hand towels.
Drying Time
No one wants to dry dishes all day, so the faster your dish towel can dry the better. Terry cloth and microfiber fabrics inherently dry quicker than materials like cotton and linen.
Microfiber: 90-120 minutes Terry cloth: 2-3 hours Cotton: 3-5 hours Linen: 5 or more hours
The ultra fine fibers in microfiber towels create tons of surface area for water to evaporate. Terry cloth has absorbent piled loops that enable water to be released readily when wrung out. Cotton and linen take longer for moisture to pass through the fibers so they air dry slower.
A hand towel’s lighter weight construction also allows it to dry out faster compared to a thick dish towel. But the trade-off is that thin hand towel fabric doesn’t have capacity to absorb much water to begin with.
If you want a dish towel that dries quickly after use, microfiber and terry cloth are best. Aim for lighter color towels as well since they won’t hold onto heat as much as darker colors after coming out of the laundry.
Durability Over Time
No one wants to replace dish towels every month or two. Choosing a durable fabric means your towels will withstand frequent use and laundering over a long period.
The list below indicates which common dish and hand towel materials are most long lasting:
Most Durable Fabrics
- Linen
- Cotton
- Terry cloth
- Microfiber
- Bamboo
Natural fibers like linen and cotton tend to get softer but remain intact even after years of regular use. The piles in terry cloth can wear down over time with repeated laundering but still lasts reasonably well. Microfiber weakens faster when washed frequently.
Given linen’s durability, lint-free nature, and moisture wicking properties, linen dish towels are an excellent choice if you don’t require maximum absorbency. Lightweight linen hand towels will also stay nice for years since they take less abuse than dish towels.
Lint Production
The last thing you want is little fuzz balls from your dish towel sticking to your clean glassware or utensils. That’s why considering lint potential is key when selecting dish towels.
Terry cloth and standard cotton towels produce the most lint since tiny fibers detach from their looped or woven surfaces. Microfiber catches on rough surfaces like hands and sheds almost no lint. Linen produces none either given its very tight weave.
If lint is a big concern, microfiber and linen dish towels are optimal since they won’t deposit those annoying little pills. Lightweight linen hand towels won’t sprinkle your hands with lint either.
You can reduce lint from cotton and terry cloth by washing dish and hand towels separately and using a lint remover in the dryer. Avoid fabric softener as it can encourage lint to form.
Cost Comparison
Dish and hand towels come in a wide range of price points based on fabric, quality, and size. Here are some general guidelines on cost:
Dish Towels
- Terry cloth: $1 – $5
- Cotton: $3 – $10
- Microfiber: $2 – $7
- Linen: $5 – $15
Hand Towels
- Cotton: $2 – $7
- Linen: $4 – $12
- Microfiber: $2 – $5
- Bamboo: $4 – $10
Microfiber dish towels are very affordable yet highly functional. Linen dish towels cost more but bring durability and a lint-free surface. For hand towels, inexpensive cotton and microfiber offer softness and absorbency on a budget.
Buying dish and hand towels in multi-packs saves significantly compared to individual towels. Stock up on several packs to have plenty available between loads of laundry.
Cleaning Method
Both dish towels and hand towels should be laundered frequently to eliminate germs and smells that accumulate from use. Follow these guidelines on cleaning:
- Wash dish towels after every 1-3 uses
- Wash hand towels after every 3-5 uses
- Use hot water to fully sanitize
- Add bleach or other disinfectant periodically
- Replace towels every 3-6 months depending on appearance
Washing dish towels after just a couple of uses ensures no food residue gets stuck on them. Hand towels can go a few more uses between washes since they primarily come in contact with clean hands.
The heat of hot water kills more germs to fully clean towels. Adding chlorine bleach once a month helps remove stains and brighten whites. Replace any towels that appear heavily worn or develop permanent stains.
Having an extended hand towel and dish towel supply makes it easy to throw them in the wash regularly. Rotate towels out of use each week to maintain cleanliness.
FAQs
What is the difference between a tea towel and dish towel?
A tea towel is typically made of a lightweight linen or cotton fabric. It is more intended for drying glassware or wrapping baked goods rather than drying dishes which require a highly absorbent towel. Dish towels are usually terry cloth or microfiber to soak up lots of moisture from dishes and utensils.
Can you use a dish towel as a hand towel?
Yes, you can use a dish towel to dry your hands. But dish towels are thicker and retain more moisture. For quick hand drying, a thinner cotton or linen hand towel designed for drying hands is more suitable.
Why can’t you use a hand towel for dishes?
Hand towels simply cannot absorb enough water to efficiently dry dishes. Their lighter fabric quickly reaches maximum saturation so dishes would take forever to hand dry. For good results, you need an ultra absorbent dish towel.
How do microfiber dish towels compare to terry cloth for drying dishes?
Microfiber dish towels have incredible absorbency, often more than cotton terry dish towels. They also dry faster than terry cloth. However, terrycloth may be a bit thicker and even more durable over the long term. Either performs well for drying dishes.
Conclusion
Dish towels and hand towels serve distinct purposes. Selecting the right towel for the job saves frustration and supports better hygiene.
Maximize your investment in dish and hand towels by caring for them properly.
Wash dish towels frequently and replace them every few months.
Hand towels can be laundered a bit less since they primarily contact clean hands rather than dirty dishes.
