Eco-Friendly Linen Tea Towels: Creative Uses & Care Tips
Linen fabric has one of the richest and oldest histories of any textile, dating back tens of thousands of years. Wild flax fibers were used to make linen-like fabrics as far back as 36,000 to 38,000 years ago making it highly valued and symbolized purity, light, and wealth in ancient history.
Linen’s durability, breathability, and natural beauty have made it a prized fabric from the ancient world to the present day.
Discover creative ways to use linen tea towels along with essential care tips to keep them looking beautiful and lasting for years to come.
Creative and Practical Ways to Use Tea Towels in Your Kitchen and Home Decor
Drying dishes and hands
The classic use, tea towels are absorbent and perfect for drying kitchenware and hands
Towel featured here is Alyssum Meadow
Lining bread baskets or fruit bowls
Use a tea towel to line baskets to keep bread warm or fruit fresh and add a decorative touch
Towel featured here is Twlight's Embrace
Wrapping gifts
Wrap your gifts in a way that’s both beautiful and practical by using a tea towel instead of traditional paper making it 2 gifts in 1!
Towel featured here is Daily Practice
Line a serving tray
Elevate your serving tray with elegance by including a decorative towel that your guests can use as a napkin.
Tea towel featured here is Magnolia Reverie
Home Decor
A stylish way to introduce color and charm to your kitchen counter is by letting the towel cascade over the edge of a decorative tray or basket.
Tea towel featured here is Eternity
*Photo credit | @neutral_homebody
Covering rising bread dough
Keep dough covered while it rises to maintain moisture and warmth. Linen towels particularly have an advantage over cotton towels as linen has a smooth, tightly woven surface that is less likely to stick to dough and preferred by most bakers!
Tea towel featured here is Earth Angel Rose Mist
Napkins & Cutlery Holders for Elegant Tablescapes
Fold the tea towels neatly to serve as napkins for elegant dining and even a handy cutlery holder
Towel featured here is Break of Dawn
Drying dishes and hands
The classic use, tea towels are absorbent and perfect for drying kitchenware and hands
Towel featured here is Alyssum Meadow
Lining bread baskets or fruit bowls
Use a tea towel to line baskets to keep bread warm or fruit fresh and add a decorative touch
Towel featured here is Twlight's Embrace
Wrapping gifts
Wrap your gifts in a way that’s both beautiful and practical by using a tea towel instead of traditional paper making it 2 gifts in 1!
Towel featured here is Daily Practice
Line a serving tray
Elevate your serving tray with elegance by including a decorative towel that your guests can use as a napkin.
Tea towel featured here is Magnolia Reverie
Home Decor
A stylish way to introduce color and charm to your kitchen counter is by letting the towel cascade over the edge of a decorative tray or basket.
Tea towel featured here is Eternity
*Photo credit | @neutral_homebody
Covering rising bread dough
Keep dough covered while it rises to maintain moisture and warmth. Linen towels particularly have an advantage over cotton towels as linen has a smooth, tightly woven surface that is less likely to stick to dough and preferred by most bakers!
Tea towel featured here is Earth Angel Rose Mist
Napkins & Cutlery Holders for Elegant Tablescapes
Fold the tea towels neatly to serve as napkins for elegant dining and even a handy cutlery holder
Towel featured here is Break of Dawn
How to Wash and Care for Linen Towels:
Essential Tips for Long-Lasting, Soft, and Absorbent Linen
Cleaning
Wash in lukewarm or cold water using a gentle machine cycle or hand wash with mild detergent. Avoid hot water to prevent shrinking and color fading. Wash linen towels without overloading the machine to allow them move more freely and prevent wrinkles.
Drying
Dry linen towels by air-drying or tumble drying on low heat. As soon as the cycle finishes, remove them from the dryer to prevent wrinkles from setting. It is preferred to hang them while still damp on the hanger and leave until they dry.
Ironing
If you are going to iron your linen towels, iron the back of the towels and while still wet. If the towels are already dry, then using a hot steam while ironing is the best choice for moistening the towel.
Rolling linen towels instead of folding can also help minimize creases when storing them.
May 24, 2025
Written by Trisha Patel
