Aprons, kitchen towels, oven mitts and pot holders are essential for a well-functioning kitchen. They make it simple and safe to move food from the oven to the table, clean surface spills and are often pleasant to look at. Keeping your kitchen linen clean and organised reduces storage space and makes cleaning up after a meal a breeze! Wash linen after use (or at the end of the day), keeping enough of each type of linen in stock for several days of use and replace in the kitchen as required. Have too much kitchen linen? Consider donating to a charity store or animal shelter. Stained, ripped, frayed or worn out cloths become cleaning rags, and store seasonal/themed linen with holiday decorations.
USE: Hang kitchen towels up to dry between uses. Moisture, germs and odours will occur if towels and cloths are damp.
WASHING: Change your kitchen linen as required in the kitchen, then air dry in the laundry before putting the linen into the laundry basket. Wash kitchen linen with laundry powder/liquid (no softener!) on a hot setting, washing regularly (daily is recommended) to prevent odours and germs. Dry immediately after washing using a clothesline or dryer to prevent bacterial growth.
ODOURS: To reduce odours, soak towels and cloths in a bucket of warm water with a splash of white vinegar and a tablespoon of bicarbonate of soda (baking soda) for 15-20 minutes before washing.
WHITES: Add bleach to the washing load to brighten white kitchen linen.
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APRONS
A protective garment worn over the front of your
clothes and tied at the back. Wash aprons at the end of each day.
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CLEANING CLOTHS
All-purpose cloths made of a
soft, absorbent material, used for wet cleaning and damp dusting. Replace
cleaning cloths after each use and wash them all together at the end of
each day.
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COASTERS
Small fabric mats for glasses or bottles. Wash coasters as required.
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DISH CLOTHS
Cloths used to wash
dishes. Replace dish cloths after each meal (or as required) and wash them all together at the end of each day.
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HAND TOWELS
Small towels used to dry hands (after washing
them). Replace hand towels after
each meal (or as required) and wash them all together at the end of each day.
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NAPKINS / SERVIETTES / FACE TOWELETTES
A square or rectangular cloth used at the table
for wiping mouths and fingers whilst eating. Usually small and folded (sometimes
in intricate designs and shapes).
Replace napkins after
each meal and wash them all together at the end of each day.
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OVEN MITTS / OVEN GLOVES & POT HOLDERS
Padded gloves for handling dishes into (and out
of) a hot oven. Wash oven mitts as
required (especially if food is spilled on them).
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PLACEMATS / TABLE MATS
A covering or pad used
an individual place setting, made from various materials, protecting the
table surface and adding decoration to the table setting. Wipe or wash placemats
as required (especially if food is spilled on them).
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SHOPPING BAGS
Reusable fabric shopping bags
used for carrying purchases. Air shopping bags
after use, and wash as required.
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TABLECLOTHS
A cloth that protects
your table from scratches and spills, used for everyday dining and/or special
occasions. Wash tablecloths as required (especially if food is spilled on
them).
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TABLE RUNNERS
A narrow length of cloth laid on top of
tablecloths or on a bare table, for decoration, to define seating,
or used to carry out a theme. Wash
table runners as required (especially if food is spilled on them).
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TEA TOWELS
Practical as well
as stylish, tea towels add a dash of colour to your kitchen, absorb moisture
and quickly dry your crockery, cutlery, glassware, pots and pans. Replace
tea towels after each meal (or as required) and wash them all
together at the end of each day.
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UNPAPER TOWELS
Reusable cloth towels that
are useful for cleaning up spills and wiping counters as a paper towel alternative.
Replace cleaning cloths after each use and wash them all together
at the end of each day.
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Author: Megan Radaich
Image Credit: Megan Radaich
Publication: www.foodpreserving.org
Learn more with our Green Cleaning Guide