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Tea Towels

Commercial tea towels are essential workhorses in UK restaurants, hotels, and cafés—handling everything from drying glassware to wiping down surfaces. Unlike basic household versions, these professional kitchen towels boast superior absorbency and durability, typically crafted from 100% cotton or cotton-polyester blends. After 50 years in the business, we've seen how quality tea towels complement professional cleaning equipment, becoming the unsung heroes of kitchen hygiene. Whether you're running a high-end restaurant or a bustling café, these hard-working towels keep operations running smoothly and efficiently.

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12 Items

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Commercial Tea Towels for Restaurants & Hospitality

Brands Trusted by Industry Professionals

Key Features and Benefits

  • Superior Absorbency Soaks up moisture faster than standard towels—less time drying, more time serving.
  • Quick-Drying Design Dries rapidly between uses—stays fresher throughout service.
  • Durability Withstands hundreds of wash cycles—lasts months in high-volume kitchens.
  • Lint-Free Finish Leaves glassware and plates spotless—no frustrating fibres or streaks.
  • High Temperature Tolerance Handles hot pots and dishes safely—protects staff hands.
  • Stain-Resistant Fabrics Resists food and grease marks—maintains professional appearance.
  • Versatile Applications Works for drying, wiping, polishing—true kitchen multi-taskers.
  • Professional Appearance Classic check patterns or branded options—enhances kitchen aesthetics.

Essential Buying Considerations

Material & Quality

  • 100% cotton offers maximum absorbency—ideal for glass-heavy operations.
  • Cotton-poly blends provide durability—withstand frequent washing.
  • Look for minimum 170gsm weight—ensures longevity in busy kitchens.

Sizing & Quantity

  • Standard 45x65cm suits most tasks—versatile all-rounders.
  • Calculate 15-20 towels per service station—ensures steady rotation.
  • Consider glass cloths for dedicated glassware cleaning—streak-free results.

How Commercial Tea Towels Work

Commercial tea towels might seem simple, but they're cleverly designed for maximum efficiency. Made from tightly woven fibres—usually cotton or cotton-poly blends—they create thousands of tiny pockets that absorb moisture quickly from dishes, glassware, and surfaces. The best catering towels use a special weave pattern that increases surface area for superior absorbency while maintaining quick-drying properties. Many feature a distinctive herringbone or waffle texture that enhances grip on wet items, preventing slips when handling expensive glassware or crockery—brilliant for busy service periods!

Charlotte Rayner, commercial cleaning expert, holding a yellow cleaning spray bottle and wearing gloves. Friendly and practical in denim overalls, ready for kitchen hygiene duties.

Trusted Insights from Charlotte Rayner

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Commercial Cleaning Specialist

15 years experience
"Tea towels might seem basic, but in a busy kitchen, they’re your first line of defence against spills, burns, and chaos. Go for commercial-grade ones that can handle the heat—literally—and survive a hundred washes without falling apart."
View Profile ->

Safety Guidelines

  • Regular Inspection Check for tears or wearing—prevents contamination.
  • Proper Storage Keep clean towels away from food areas—maintains hygiene.
  • Avoid Cross-Contamination Don't use same towel for multiple tasks—prevents spread of bacteria.
  • Hot Surface Warning Use folded towels for very hot items—prevents burns.
  • Replace When Worn Discard damaged towels—maintains sanitation standards.
  • Proper Washing Use hot water and detergent—kills bacteria effectively.

Top Tips for Using Commercial Tea Towels

To maximise the life of your tea towels, wash new ones before first use to activate absorbency. Create a rotation system so used towels are collected and washed after each service period. Avoid fabric softeners which reduce absorbency, and wash at 60°C minimum to ensure proper sanitisation. Consider colour-coding for different areas—blue for front-of-house, red for kitchen—to maintain hygiene standards and prevent cross-contamination.

Benefits of Using Commercial Tea Towels

  • Streak-Free Results Delivers spotless glassware—enhances customer experience.
  • Workflow Efficiency Speeds up service with quick-drying capabilities.
  • Cost Savings Reduces breakages and replacement frequency—budget-friendly.

Did You Know?

  • Lifespan Quality tea towels last 5x longer than budget alternatives.
  • Absorption Power Professional towels absorb up to 250% their weight in water.
  • Historical Use Victorian-era tea towels were decorative status symbols.
  • Restaurant Stats Busy kitchens use 30+ tea towels during a single service.
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Expert Insights on Commercial Tea Towels

Over our 50 years in the catering industry, we've learned that tea towels are often overlooked but crucial. 'Quality tea towels save time and money,' explains Dave, our textiles specialist. 'Cheap ones fall apart after a dozen washes, whereas professional-grade towels easily withstand 100+ commercial wash cycles.'

  • Pros: Durable, super-absorbent, reduce breakages.
  • Cons: Require proper washing routine—neglect leads to hygiene issues.

Who Needs Commercial Tea Towels?

  • Cafés & Bistros Essential for quick turnover of cups, plates and cutlery.
  • Hotels & B&Bs Perfect for housekeeping and kitchen operations.
  • Restaurants & Pubs Critical for busy service periods and glass polishing.
  • Catering Companies Portable solution for off-site events and functions.
Tea Towels

Real-World Success with Commercial Tea Towels

Take The Copper Kettle in Bristol—they were burning through cheap tea towels weekly, wasting money and time. After switching to professional kitchen towels from us alongside proper glass cloths, they transformed their operation. 'We're saving nearly £300 annually on replacements,' says the owner. 'Plus, our glassware sparkles now, and customers have actually commented on how clean everything looks. Best decision we've made for our kitchen!'

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FAQs

  • How many commercial tea towels do I need for my restaurant? For a typical restaurant, plan for 15-20 towels per service station—allows proper rotation.
  • What's the best way to wash commercial kitchen towels? Wash at 60°C minimum with detergent, avoid fabric softener—maintains absorbency.
  • How often should I replace my commercial tea towels? Quality towels typically last 100-150 wash cycles—roughly 3-6 months in busy kitchens.
  • Are coloured tea towels better than white ones? Coloured towels hide stains better—white shows cleanliness more clearly for inspections.
  • Can I use the same tea towels for all kitchen tasks? Not recommended—separate towels for dishes, surfaces, and hands prevents cross-contamination.
  • What's the difference between tea towels and glass cloths? Glass cloths have finer weave specifically for streak-free glassware—tea towels are more versatile.

Looking for Equipment by Business Type?

Not sure where to start? Whether you're running a bustling café, opening a pizzeria, or managing a school canteen, we've made it easy to shop by business type. Explore handpicked equipment bundles and essentials tailored to your industry—saving you time and making sure you get exactly what you need.

Restaurants Cafés & Coffee Shops Hotels & Accommodation Catering & Event Hire Corporate & Office Canteens Food Trucks & Mobile Kitchens Event Venues & Banqueting Halls Juice Bars & Smoothie Kiosks

Other Categories You Might Find Useful

We’ve selected some closely related categories that might be essential for your setup. Whether you’re expanding your kitchen or just making sure you’ve got everything covered, these links will help you explore more equipment that fits your needs.

Commercial Tea & Coffee Sets for Cafés & Restaurants Commercial Tea Accessories for Cafés & Restaurants Commercial Cleaning Cloths for Restaurants & Professional Kitchens Commercial Kitchen Cloths for Restaurants & Catering Commercial Kitchen Taps & Mixers for Restaurants & Catering Commercial Kitchen Step Stools for Restaurants & Catering Commercial Kitchen Clip Boards for Restaurants & Catering Commercial Kitchen Strainers for Restaurants & Catering

What our Customers Say

  • 'These tea towels are proper workhorses—still going strong after months!'

    J James Head Chef, The Riverside Inn, York

  • 'Finally, towels that actually dry things properly—brilliant!'

    L Lucy Café Owner, Beans & Brews, Cornwall

Why Choose EasyEquipment for Commercial Tea Towels?

  • Trusted Supplier Supplying quality kitchen textiles for 50 years—tried and tested.
  • Fast Delivery Next-day options across the UK—no waiting about.
  • Best Price Promise Competitive rates on bulk orders—saves your budget.
  • Real Support Textile experts on hand—practical advice when you need it.

Ready to Explore Commercial Tea Towels?

Browse our comprehensive range of professional tea towels designed for demanding commercial kitchens. From classic check patterns to specialist glass cloths, we've got the perfect towels to keep your operation running smoothly.

Contact Us 0333 355 0535

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