Unless we’re debating between two different seasonal designs at the HomeGoods checkout — and subsequently reminding our partners not to use the decorative towels while cooking — most of us don’t give much thought to our kitchen towels. We use them so mindlessly that we end up relying on the exact same towel to dry…
When you spell it out, our kitchen towels seem just as gross as our sponges. Kitchen sponges are notorious breeding grounds for bacteria and can actually leave countertops dirtier than before when used to wipe up spills. So, when we learned about color-coding kitchen towels to keep things sanitary, we felt like we’d unlocked a whole new level of adulthood.
One Color, One Task
A color-coded kitchen towel system might sound a bit extreme — very Monica Geller, we know — but hear us out. It makes cleaning up so much easier and results in a far more sanitary space. A color-coded system helps prevent cross-contamination between tasks, so you’re not polishing a glass with the same towel you just wiped your greasy hands on, or drying your clean hands with the rag you previously used to wipe away a counter spill.
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It works like this: Assign specific colors to your most common kitchen tasks, such as cleaning counters, drying dishes, and wiping your hands. For example, you might use a seasonal print towel just for drying your hands (or keep it strictly off-limits for decor), then choose solid accent colors such as navy for cleaning up spills and green for drying dishes — whatever works best with your decorating style.
Having a dedicated system reduces the risk of cross-contamination, keeping kitchen bacteria away from your clean surfaces.
• White Classic Premium Dish Towels, Eight-Pack
