5 Tips for Maintaining and Cleaning Flour Sack Towels

Contrary to the name, flour sack towels are not sacks but towel sheets made of thin cotton threads. They have been in use for a much longer period. They are considered to have superior quality, made of 100% cotton, are prewashed and do not contain build-up. Flour sack towels are an all-rounder and can be used for various household cleaning tasks, cooking, crafting, wiping, drying, and serving.  

These towels are different from both dishtowels that are thick information and cheesecloths which are extremely thin. They fall in between – the weave in these towels is loose enough to see through but tighter than cheesecloths. They characterize in absorbing liquid rapidly, long-lastingness, washing machine friendly and shrink resistance. Best flour sack towels are produced from 100% pure premium quality cotton like this ones.  Flour sack towels are not only a good pick for households but also eateries due to various handy uses they offer.

Why Flour Sack Towels?

As compared to paper towels or decorative cloths, a flour sack towel is definitely more useful, economical, and resilient in quality. They can be functional in multiple ways and are considered an asset for daily cleaning and cooking purposes.

Buying a flour sack towel may be a small investment but it is surely a long-term one. Environmentalists highly recommend its use since these towels are an ecological and economical option. To benefit the most from your flour sack towels, you must regularly get it cleaned and maintained. This will also contribute to its effectiveness and longstanding. If your kitchen drawers are already full of flour sack towels, we have added some helpful tips to make sure you keep using your towels for a significantly long time.

Maintaining and Cleaning Flour Sack Towels

1. Before you use a flour sack towel:

In contrast to the usual dishcloths, you must wash flour sack towels prior using them to get the best result. It is suggested to air them out – the natural elements in flour sack towels keep them from losing their absorbency even after cleaning and using. In fact, they will become more liquid retentive and softer with each use – be it cooking, cleaning, or any other household task. In case you have bought a pack of these towels, you will need to unpack and unfold each towel. Look if there are any tags attached to it and take them off. Put them in a washing machine and machine dry them if possible.

2. Avoid bleaches and fabric softeners

The heading might get you scratch your head and wonder why we have instructed you to avoid using bleach and fabric softener on your towel. Well, it is on account that you will, in fact, be doing a disservice to this valuable cleaning resource. As soon as there gets a stain on our towel, we resort to using bleach to take off all stains. In addition, the use of bleach also enhances the whiteness of a towel and makes them look newer. Actually, many store-stocked bleaches and fabric softeners contain chlorine dye and will harm the natural filaments in a flour sack towel. Although these won’t be ruined right away, their lifespan of utilization will be confined. Another thing to keep in mind is even diluted bleach liquids will weaken the quality of a flour sack towel and eventually cause holes.

If your towel has a stain that will not go away with the use of a non-bleach detergent, we recommend using non-chlorine based bleaches. They contain sodium percarbonate or hydrogen peroxide and are an eco-friendly option.  

3. Keep your towels from smelling bad

Regular cleaning and touch of water make your flour sack towel smell bad. This can be dealt with, with the use of baking soda. This product is basic in many households and considered to increase the towel’s absorbency. You can use baking soda while washing your towel.

You will first have to fill the machine with hot water and then pour a cup of white vinegar into it. After the wash cycle, you will need to fill the machine again with water and then include a half cup of baking soda. Dry normally. This will ensure the flour sack towels do not smell, remain fresh & absorbent, and are free of any dirt and residue. Another plus is that this combination will also take off any annoying, not-wanting-to-go stains. If these stains are difficult, put baking soda directly on that spot and let it sit for a few minutes. Wash and dry as usual.

4. Keep towels separated based on usage frequency

Remember how you separate your daily wear clothes from the formal ones? Or the shoes? Exactly like that, you will have to sort out your flour sack towels depending on the type of usage.  For instance, towels for cooking and cleaning should be kept in different places. Also, you must separate hand drying and cooking towels. Nobody wants the bacteria from people drying their hands with a towel to disperse around the kitchen. Remember, it just takes 10 seconds for a towel to get contaminated. Replacing towels every couple of days is keen, in not after each dinner.

5. You need a proper storage

After you've washed the flour sack towels, it is important to dry and place them right so that they remain fresh and clean. For instance, put them away from the areas where you’re preparing food or countertops. After washing, avoid putting them anywhere that is a bacteria-filled area. It is suggested to air dry the towels by placing them individually on snares. Hanging them on a single hook will only make it difficult to dry them. It is critical to keep them away from areas with high moisture. There’s nothing like having a pull-out track in your cabinet. However, if you do not have enough space, the best is to place these towels in woven baskets and wooden crates. Just remember that having a devoted area implies that your flour sack towels will be maintained for a long time.