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When you think about working in a bar or just simply managing the kitchen in your cozy home, what do you think is the most important tool to have? Mixing glass, cocktail glass, measuring cups and spoons, cocktail muddler, ice buckets, and tongs, knives and cutting boards - these are probably the tools that come to your mind first, it's never the towel, right?

"In a bar, cleanliness is the key to success. The unique concoctions of various alcohols on the menu aren't the only thing that should be taken into account. The visual and olfactory impressions should not be neglected, and no, it's not just about how your bar is architected and its decorations, above all, it's about how clean the place is. Towels function as a cleaning tool. Inside a bar are whiskey, beer, vodka, tequila, cocktails, and more drinks, spilling them would be far from being a surprise, you can use those towels to wipe them clean. Wet hands? Use a towel to dry them. When customers arrive, it's a custom to clean their area first, towels are the perfect tool to get this job done. Now that the point is presented, we have laid out the best towels that will be of great assistance.

Material

It's forbidden to purchase a towel without any knowledge of its material, chances are you will pick out any towel you can get your hands on without even considering what it is made of, the next thing you know, the towel you picked out doesn't get the job done, plus it's not durable. Most bar mop towels are made out of cotton, although they all use the same material, they may differ with the seams and weaves. Towels with tighter weaves are more durable. We also have the linen, which is mainly used for decorative kitchen towels, these are towels that are great for displays but do little to no work. If you are looking for a towel that you will use for heave duties, don't pick out linen. It hardly absorbs moisture and it rips easily. Some towels are made from microfiber, these are good for cleaning but it's less absorbent and less durable.

Size

There are various sizes for towels, the sizes of your purchased towels matter. Bigger sized towels would get the job done easier, you don't have to use a lot of towels unless you are using those towels for a separate purpose. For example, you can't use one towel for wiping the dishes and drying your hands. Big towels dry up more liquid in one sitting and you can even use them as protection from hot pots and pans. On the other hand, if the job is to dry glasses or anything that has a small opening, maybe use a thinner towel for this one, and if you need a towel just for wiping your hands with, choose a smaller towel.

Features

Besides the material, what else needs to be considered when buying a towel? The fabric isn't the only thing we should look into to test the towels' durability, look at the hems as well, see if they are thick and well - woven, if the seams are poorly done, the towel will not withstand the washes. Be sure to look for thick towels as thin towels would make more mess than cleaning. Thin towels will not soak up any liquid, it will just smudge everything around and it is not as durable as thick towels.

Low maintenance towels come with so much convenience, try to see if the towels you are buying are wrinkle-resistant, this feature allows the towel to be neat and to appear pressed even when it just went through a lot of work or it just came out of the laundry. A towel isn't just a tool in the kitchen, it also serves as a decoration. Choose a cute and nice-looking towel with a unique design and color that accents the background of your kitchen, of course without having to compromise the quality of the towels.

Top Picks

• Best Overall Bar Mop Towel: Sticky Toffee Cotton Terry Kitchen Dishcloth
• Best Stylish Design Bar Mop Towel: KAF Home Pantry Flamingo Kitchen Dish Towel
• Best Value Bar Mop Towel: Zeppoli Classic Kitchen Towels
• Most Absorbent Bar Mop Towel: Kimteny 12 Pack Kitchen Cloth Dish Towels
• Most affordable Bar Mop Towel: Utopia Towels Kitchen Towels

10 Best Bar Mop Towels

1. Best Overall: Sticky Toffee Cotton Terry Kitchen Dishcloth

Pros

• Gems are neat and stitched securely
• Long-lasting
• Easy to use and low maintenance cost
• Thick cotton and very durable
• Would make a great present with its charming design and packaging
• 100% OEKO - TEX Cotton

Cons

• Difficult to use on glasses with small openings
• Tend to shrink down after being washed
• Not bleach safe

What customers are saying about the product:

KPITT states that she has been looking for absorbent dish towels and the past dish towels she used did not reach her expectations, thus she didn't expect much from this towel as she thought this towel was as mediocre. On the contrary, it wowed her. She attests that the towel absorbs water and they dry quickly. She couldn't be happier with her choices.

Why we think this is a great product:

Made from OEKE - TEX Cotton, this towel surpassed the highest standard of testing, this means the fabric is thick, durable, and can be used for a long time. It is perfect for any bar or household task, such as drying, wiping, cleaning, etc. Not to mention its beautiful and classy design, this would be the perfect gift for any occasion. JVS Export, which is the parent company of the brand, operates five windmills, a solar farm, and they harvest rainwater to assist the local groundwater reserves in their area.

Who should buy it:

The durability and high absorbency of this towel make it perfect for heavy-duty activities, this would be a great towel to use in bars and busy kitchens.

2. Best Value Bar Mop Towel: Zeppoli Classic Kitchen Towels

• They dry quickly
• They take up little space in drawers
• Can be easily washed at high temperature
• Do not shrink much after washing
• Made from 100% Natural Cotton

Cons

• The seams get unraveled easily
• Some say it does not absorb moisture well

What customers are saying about the product:

Chris Austin says this product is convenient since it only takes little time to let this dry and since it's on the thinner side, you can store a lot of these towels in your drawer. The color of the towel is white which makes it easy to tell if it has already become dirty, unlike colored towels.

Why we think this is a great product:

The towel is lightweight, will last longer, and it dries quickly, this is convenient since that would impede the growth of bacteria in the towel. The towel is also lint-free, washable by a washing machine, and it can be dried. This pack includes 15 towels inside, you don't have to worry about running out.

Who should buy it:

If you're looking to buy towels in bulk at a cheap price but are of high quality, these towels would be a great deal.

3. Most Affordable Bar Mop Towel: Utopia Towels Kitchen Towels - durable product at a low price

Pros

• Made from natural materials, safe for the whole family
• The price is cheap
• Durable for its price

Cons

• The texture of the towel feels scratchy
• Leaves black and white fibers

What customers are saying about the product:

NJOceanView comments that this towel is incredible for its cheap price. It may not be the sturdiest towel on the market but considering its low cost, it is already a great deal. After he used the product for two months, it still remained in good shape. He highly recommends the product.

Why we think this is a great product:

This set includes 12 towels, which are all made out of cotton. These towels are strong and durable, they can take on any work whether in a bar or home kitchen. The materials used to make these towels are natural so you don't have to worry about any harmful chemicals. The design is cute and elegant, but don't bleach, iron, or put fabric softener with the towels as this may damage its quality.

Who should buy it:

Those who are looking for an affordable but durable set of towels and want to ensure their safety while using the towels.

4. Utopia Kitchen Flour Sack Dish Towels - designed to be versatile

Pros

• It is easy to wash
• Soft and highly absorbent
• Can be used for various cleaning chores at home
• A good substitute for cloth diapers
• Bleachable

Cons

• Threads may loosen after washing
• The sides are not cut straight

What customers are saying about the product:

Lingling, a customer, purchased these towels and used it with diaper covers for his son or used it as an insert in her pockets. After the towels undergone washing and drying, the towels did not shrink much and she said that they were soft and absorbed water well. According to her comment, her son is already 10 months old but the towels are still going strong and they still seem new even when they wash it every day to every other day.

Why we think this is a great product:

It's made from 100% Pure Ring Spun Cotton, making the towel sturdy, soft, and highly absorbent. The towels are white, it's easier to see and determine which towels should be washed and which towels can stay. It is expertly made for various uses such as drying hands, cloth diapers, wiping stains, drying utensils, and it would do a perfect job when it comes to embroidery. Washing the towels will not be a problem, you can put it inside a washing machine and it would come out with the same quality, it doesn't shrink much and it minimizes lint.

Who should buy it:

These towels are versatile enough to be purchased by anyone for their own reasons.

5. DII Terry Combo Windowpane Dishcloths Absorbent : an absorbent and soft fabric

Pros

• Leaves no traces of color
• Design is beautiful
• Doesn't shred when washed in a washing machine
• Quick shipment
• Can be bleached

Cons

• Some claim that it does not absorb well
• Tends to develop a foul smell

What customers are saying about the product:

Celeste, an Amazon customer, says the towels are very nice and absorbent. She included a photo of the towels showing almost no changes between the towels that were used and washed several times and the ones that were not washed yet.

Why we think this is a great product:

These towels come in 11 fun colors with a beautiful design, surely there is one color for you that suits the color of your bar or kitchen. It is made up of cotton and it will last for a long time. You can wash this in your washing machine without shredding it and it ships quickly.

Who should buy it:

The towel is a bit on the thin side and they are in the perfect size for handwashing and this would go great for drying glasses and dealing with minor spills.

6. Harringdons Kitchen Dish Towels Set of 12 - Tea Towels - a great deal on functional towels

Pros

• 100% natural cotton
• Eco friendly
• Can be washed using a washing machine
• Lint-free
• Can be bleached

Cons

• Some say it is not as absorbent

What customers are saying about the product:

Honest Reviewer said that it took half of her life to find out that there were towels that actually dry hands, dishes, etc. and even dries by itself afterward. She went to Amazon and she found these towels. She was presented with a lot of choices but she thought these were the best. She can't imagine them being any better.

Why we think this is a great product:

This towel comes in a big size, it does a lot of work in one sitting. It is made with environment-friendly cotton, you can help the environment when you use these towels. Plus, it is up for various usages, such as cleaning spills and wrapping bread.

Who should buy it:

These are perfect for people who want to ensure and care for the environment's well being while taking advantage of the towels' service.

7. Best Stylish Design Bar Mop Towel: KAF Home Pantry Flamingo Kitchen Dish Towel Set

Pros

• Made from 100% cotton
• Would make a great present
• Design is aesthetically pleasing

Cons

• Tend to shrink down after washing
• Does not absorb well
• Fabric is thin

What customers are saying about the product:

Gina6982 said the towels shrunk by a bit, but not much as to impact the quality of the towel. Overall, she thinks the towels are cute.

Why we think this is a great product:

It may not be as thick and absorbent as other towels, but it looks great as decoration.

Who should buy it:

If you're looking for a nice present for your family or friends, these towels would be perfect. These are also ideal as ornaments.

8. T - Fal Textiles - beautiful designs and absorbency

Pros

• Comes in beautiful colors
• Includes a tag loop in the middle for hanging
• Do not lose threads
• Do not shrink much

Cons

• Some say the hems are not properly secured
• Some say the color fades after one use

What customers are saying about the product:

Samantha Jane states that she has never stumbled upon high-quality kitchen towels such as this one. If she had known about these towels, she would have purchased a long time ago. She found the colors to be beautiful and the quality is excellent. She will definitely purchase more of these in the future.

Why we think this is a great product:

These towels are 100% cotton, with a parquet design that makes liquid absorb well to its surface while it still allows airflow to make the fabric dry quickly. These require little effort of cleaning them up, it is machine washable and the prints do not fade over time.

Who should buy it:

People who need towels for scrubbing dirt but not absorbing moisture or great amounts of liquid.

9. Gryeer Microfiber Kitchen Towels : Soft and super-absorbent

Pros

• Do not develop a foul odor
• Wash up very well
• Gets dry quickly
• Works well for trying to get stuck food on dishes

Cons

• Does not absorb well
• Does shrink down
• The fabric is thin
• Some say it unravels quickly

What customers are saying about the product:

Nicole is very happy with these kitchen towels (1st photo) she bought from Amazon, describing it as very absorbent, durable, and leaves no streaks on plates and glasses. The tag doubles as something to hang it on a hook. Nicki plans to buy more of these kitchen towels because they are very absorbent, very soft, and have a nice design.

Why we think this is a great product:

We love that these are very soft and absorbent. It won't leave scratches on even the most delicate glasses and plates.

Who should buy it:

If you love your plates and glasses too much to scratch them, get this set of towels to use to dry them. It does not leave a streak of lint on glasses which is very great too.

10. Most Absorbent Bar Mop Towel: Kimteny 12 Pack Kitchen Cloth Dish Towels

Pros

• Perfect size for dishwashing and counter wiping
• Extremely soft
• Comes in pretty colors
• Absorbent
• Dries quickly
• Contains 12 towels
• Comes in vacuum-sealed packs to ensure hygiene

Cons

• Some say the size is too small for their liking

What customers are saying about the product:

I Tried It & Reviewed It, a customer, posted a video demonstrating how easy it was to use the cloth and how well it worked when it was used to dry the dishes. She claims that the towel is very absorbent, dries quickly, and leaves no streams and lint.

Why we think this is a great product:

Regardless of its small size, this towel is soft and works efficiently. Plus its use isn't limited in the kitchen, you can also use this on your face.

Who should buy it:

If you are not quite strict on the size but want a functional and versatile towel, this is for you.

FAQs

Q1. What is a bar mop towel used for?

Bar mop towels serve multiple purposes according to its material. Terry cloth towels are these absorbent towels that have loops and can act as a hand towel, counter towel, dish towel, and bar mop towel. Flour sack towels, also made from cotton, are lint-free, which makes it perfect for breadbaskets, polishing silver, or dusting. Jacquard, or semi linen, are great for drying any glassware since this fabric is lint-free. It also comes with different pretty colors and styles.

Q2. What are the most absorbent kitchen towels?

Every kitchen towel or bar mop towel is mainly used for absorbing water or any liquid substance, it is its main purpose, and most of the time, the absorbency is what we look for first when buying. There are various materials used for kitchen towels or bar mop towels such as cotton, linen, and microfiber. Which has a better performance when it comes to absorbency? If you are going to use the towel for wiping, cleaning, or drying, look for towels made of cotton. They say the best kitchen towels are made out of lightly woven towels, they are soft, at the same time, durable. They are built to absorb large amounts of liquid and hardly smudge on dishes. Cotton can also withstand laundering and it would still come out strong.

Q3. How often should you change your dishcloth or towels?

Among other places in the house or the bar, the kitchen can harbor the most bacteria. Since towels are cleaning tools in the kitchen, germs can cultivate here. To ensure the cleanliness of your towels and to prevent any cross-contamination, you must change and wash your towels regularly.

You are advised to change your kitchen towels at least once a week, or better yet, change a towel after using it once. Preferably, you are to wash your towels in hot water, but it still depends on the product instructions. Moreover, you should hang your towels in a hook so it can dry faster, you wouldn't want your towels to stay wet for the reason that bacteria thrives in moisture.

Q4. How do you get the stinky smell out of towels?

Towels get a lot of work in the kitchen, it is used to wipe different kinds of liquids and food, and to wipe our hands. Over time, after being used and washed multiple times, the towels develop a mildew odor. With everything it goes through, that kind of phenomenon is no doubt. If you want to know how to get that stubborn smell off, try these methods: Vinegar method and Borax method. You can also use bleach but this method doesn’t apply to all towels especially to colored ones.

For the Vinegar method, you will need vinegar, baking soda, and laundry detergent. Wash the towels in your washing machine like how you usually do them but add in the vinegar and baking soda. Do not take it out yet, allow it to soak for an hour or overnight for better results. After soaking, restart the cycle and dry like you normally would. Repeat this method monthly.

Another method you can use is the Borax method. You will need baking soda and Borax for this. Wash the towels the usual way but substitute your laundry detergent to equal parts of Borax and baking soda. Rinse and dry.

Q5. How do you wash bar towels?

It is of utmost importance to keep towels clean to avoid the spread of germs. Not only that, we also want our bar towels to be spotless. If your past washing routine doesn't help much, try these steps:

First, you might already know this but don't toss your bar towels in the same load as your other laundries, even in laundry bins you need to separate them. Since towels clean a lot of mess, you never know what bacteria cling to its surface.

Second is the actual washing. Since bar towels are dirty, you'll need to wash them at high temperature to get rid of any germs. Just to make sure, you can also soak them first in hot water and vinegar for about 15 minutes then wash them.

Lastly, it's time to dry them. Similar to the washing process, you need to dry your bar towels at high heat to ensure that it goes inside the drawers completely dry.

Conclusion

Towels contribute a lot to keeping kitchens and bars clean and organized. It does a lot of work than you think, it saves you a lot of time by speeding up the process of drying glasses, dishes, and other utensils and with its versatility, it can do more than those examples. No doubt, towels are a staple in kitchens and bars, you know what else is a staple? Bottle openers! You can find the best bottle openers here .