Bar towels, also known commonly as bar mops or bar mop towels, are an essential item found in many bars, restaurants, hotels, and other hospitality establishments. But what exactly are bar towels and why are they so popular in these industries?

A bar towel is a thick, plush, highly absorbent towel used primarily for wiping and cleaning in bars, restaurants, hotels, cruise ships, and other hospitality settings. Bar mop towels get their name from their original use – mopping up spills at the bar. However, they now have many uses across both front-of-house and back-of-house operations in the hospitality industry.
Bar towels are distinctly different from regular kitchen or bath towels. They are specifically designed for heavy-duty commercial use with the ability to quickly absorb large spills, clean efficiently, withstand frequent washing, and have a long lifespan.
Typical Construction and Materials
Bar towels can be constructed from various materials but 100% cotton is the most popular. Terry cloth is the most common type of cotton fabric used to produce high quality bar mops.
Terry cloth contains piles of uncut loops that create extra absorbency and thickness. Other common constructions include ribbed cotton as well as microfiber blends for increased longevity.
Bar towels are woven using ring spun cotton, which makes them incredibly soft yet strong enough for heavy daily use. They can be bleached and sanitized repeatedly without damage. The ring spun process twists and compresses the cotton fibers which contributes to the bar mop’s signature plushness.
Most bar towels have overlocked or serged edges to prevent fraying, even after hundreds of cycles through industrial washers and dryers. Some feature a colored stripe down the middle for easy sorting while others are solid white.
Standard Sizes of Bar Mop Towels
Bar mop towels come in a range of standard sizes to suit different tasks:
- 15 x 18 inches
- 16 x 19 inches
- 17 x 20 inches
The most multipurpose size used in many bars and eateries is 16 x 19 inches. Smaller bar towels can be used for drying glassware and drinkware while larger sizes work well for bussing tables or soaking up big spills.
For workspaces with limited storage, some opt for microfiber bar mops as they take up less space. But 100% cotton bar towels remain more popular overall in hospitality for their exceptional absorbency.
Features and Benefits of Bar Towels
What makes bar mop towels so uniquely suited to the hospitality industry? Let’s review their many advantageous features:
- Super absorbent – Terry cloth construction instantly soaks up large liquid spills
- Quick-drying – Wicks away moisture rapidly to tackle multiple tasks
- Lint-free – Won’t leave behind pesky lint or fuzz
- Durable – Withstands daily commercial laundering without damage
- Soft texture – Safe even for delicate glassware and tableware
- Multipurpose – Cleans virtually any surface, spill or mess effectively
The bar towel offers unparalleled versatility combined with incredible absorbency and longevity. These qualities make the bar mop the preferred wiping cloth for nearly any hospitality business.
Popular Uses of Bar Mop Towels
As a true jack-of-all-trades cloth, bar towels have countless uses across restaurants, bars, hotels, catering companies and more. Here are some of their top applications:
Front-of-House Bar Towel Uses
- Wiping and bussing dining tables
- Cleaning up spills at the bar or lounge areas
- Drying glassware, stemware and porcelain without lint or scratches
- Quick removal of food, sauce or drink splatters
- General surface wiping and sanitizing
Back-of-House Bar Mop Towel Uses
- Wiping prep areas and workstations
- Cleaning and drying dishware
- Covering rising dough, proofing baskets
- Protecting hands from hot pots and pans
- Mopping up big spills
- Cooling baked goods
- Cleaning appliances, fridges, counters and more
Clearly the absorbent and durable bar mop plays a role in nearly every area of a busy commercial kitchen or full-service restaurant. It’s the ideal multipurpose hospitality wiping cloth.
Key Takeaway: The super absorbent bar towel is the preferred wiping cloth used front-and-back-of-house in bars, restaurants and hospitality businesses for its incredible versatility, durability and functionality.
Hospitality Linen Suppliers Offer Bar Towels
Commercial linen supply companies are one of the easiest ways for restaurants, bars, hotels and catering companies to purchase quality bar mops.
These hospitality experts sell bar towels in bulk along with other commercial fabrics like table linens, aprons, kitchen towels, sheets, blankets and more. Customers can choose to purchase bar towels outright or utilize a linen rental service.
Working with a hospitality linen company takes the stress out of shopping for the right commercial-grade textiles. Their experts hand select hardworking fabrics from top brands, often manufactured with environmental sustainability in mind. Commercial laundry capabilities also eliminate the hassle of cleaning mountains of soiled bar mops.
Key benefits of ordering bar mop towels from linen suppliers include:
- Ability to touch and feel samples before making a bulk purchase.
- Access high quality products not available in big box stores
- Avoid the headache of in-house commercial laundering
- Have inventory managed by experts so you never run out
- Free up storage space in your establishment
How to Care For and Clean Bar Towels
While bar mops are made from durable heavyweight cotton to withstand heavy use, proper cleaning is still key to maximizing their lifespan. Here are some top tips for keeping bar towels fresh:
Bar towels should be washed frequently using very hot water above 160°F and harsh detergents to fully eliminate grease, food particles and germs they have absorbed.
Many commercial linen companies use professional washers, temperature controlled dryers and steam tunnels to thoroughly clean hospitality textiles. Bar mops rented from such suppliers arrive hygienically clean and pressed for immediate use right out of the delivery bag.
For bars and eateries handling their own in-house bar mop laundry, wash with infection control detergent on the hottest cycle, for at least 25 minutes with a pure white bleach solution added whenever possible. This rigorous cleaning routine prevents the spread of bacteria like E.coli or salmonella from cross contamination.
Thorough drying in commercial dryers is essential as any lingering moisture breeds pathogens. Always use the high heat setting.
Key Takeaway: Frequent hot water washing and fully drying bar mops is vital to kill germs accumulated from heavy restaurant and bar use. Harsh detergents help remove grease while bleach prevents cross contamination.
Microfiber vs Cotton Terry Bar Towels
Microfiber bar mops represent an alternative construction material to traditional 100% cotton. They often contain a blend of fibers like polyester, nylon or polyimide.
Microfiber is valued for being exceptionally absorbent – often able to hold seven times its weight! It also dries faster than regular cotton and does not hold onto odors or stains. Microfiber bar towels are praised for their ability to clean glassware and tableware streak-free.
However, many still prefer the advantages of cotton terry bar towels:
- Natural fiber is chemical-free and gentler for use around food
- Allergies or sensitivities to synthetic fibers are avoided
- Warm texture preferred by kitchen staff over “plasticky” feel
- Heat resistance for grabbing hot items from ovens
- Can be bleached and sanitized repeatedly without damage
- Durable to withstand up to 500 commercial washes
Bar mops also typically cost less than microfiber. So while more advanced synthetic blends have their advantages, good old fashioned cotton remains a top choice.
FAQs
What bar towel weight is best?
20 oz cotton or poly-cotton blend bar towels offer the ideal balance of thickness, absorbency and durability for most hospitality uses. Lighter weight towels may not be as useful for heavy duty restaurant wiping while heavier options can be quite costly.
How do you wash bar mop towels?
Wash bar towels separately from other linens using very hot water, harsh detergents, and diluted bleach. Wash cycles should run 25+ minutes. Dry completely on the hottest setting. This rigorous cleaning prevents cross contamination from germs accumulated during restaurant use.
Where can I buy bar mop towels for my business?
Quality bar mops are available from restaurant and hospitality linen supply companies, either for purchase or as part of a linen rental program. These experts provide easy access to commercial-grade bar towels, kitchen textiles and table linens outside of consumer big box stores.
Are bar mop towels reusable?
Yes, bar towels are highly durable and reusable, often lasting up to 500 commercial washes. However it’s vital to wash and thoroughly dry bar mops between each use. Their absorbent cotton construction will breed bacteria if left wet. Proper cleaning allows them to be reused consistently.
Should bar mops only be used in certain areas?
It’s best practice to dedicate bar towels for either strictly back-of-house kitchen use or front-of-house dining room use. This prevents cross contamination between spaces. Many restaurants use color-coded bar mops to distinguish which ones are for use where.
Conclusion
The bar mop’s winning combination of remarkable absorbency, quick drying action, and incredible durability make it perfectly suited for the non-stop activity of busy hospitality businesses.
Cotton terry bar towels handle the rigorous cleaning demands of commercial use day after day. They can soak up immense liquid spills in seconds, wipe up all types of food and grease residue, withstand high heat and endless re-washing.
With so many invaluable features, it’s no wonder the bar mop towel has earned its venerated status behind the bar and in restaurant kitchens everywhere.