A reader wrote to me last week asking:
I have gone through about 4 different companies flour sack towels only to find they don’t absorb even the smallest amount of water. What happened? They used to be like paper towels and absorbed everything. What has been added to them to make them like polyester? They just smear the water around. Were they “conditioned” with something? It’s like using linen or polyester. Do you have any suggestions of a company that carries the old fashioned ones?
But before I could post her question, she wrote back and said:
No need to post my question as I figured it out! Yea!
For others if you ever get asked, they are now putting sizing in fibers, not just the material as a whole which means they soak up no water. So, soak in vinegar for 1-2 days and it eats it off, then wash like normal.
I did just one and compared it to an untreated one and was happily shocked to see the change.
Also vinegar is an amazing rust remover. I needed to refinish an indoor door and the hinges had some rust on them. I soaked in vinegar for a day and the rust just floated off. Be careful tho, I also soaked what I thought was a copper lamp base, but turned out it was layered over pewter and the vinegar ate the finish and left the pewter. Dang! Thanks again.
Vinegar’s not working for me. After reading this post I tried soaking a new cotton towel 3 days in undiluted vinegar. Then washed normally after. It did not help.
The towel brand name is Big Green Egg— 100% Cotton. But it’s happening with any new kitchen towels I buy, of any brand.
In desperation, for running my cleaning service, I’m cleaning my clients’ homes with my old bath towels and washcloths. But running out! Next I’ll have to use my own personal kitchen towels. Unless I can find a church rummage sale, but no long have time for that.
OK, our only option remaining is buying expensive GOTS kitchen towels? Not practical for a cleaning service.
This must be a new thing because I’ve purchased a lot of kitchen towels and never had this problem. When I moved I gave away a lot of kitchen towels. I wish I knew I should have given them to you.
What about those cheap white flour sack towels?
And towels from IKEA?
Have you tried those?
I have new cotton kitchen towels with that sizing finish & so frustrating to use. I tried vinegar & soda on them in the washer but still not absorbent so will try soaking longer. I suppose they want their product to look good on the shelf .
I’ve used vinegar for years to clean hard water deposits from faucets but only safe on stainless steel as it ruins other finishes.
Yes! soak longer. And if all else fails, which I don’t think vinegar will try, wait for it, Coka Cola. Oh my but does it eat rust and everything off stuff, but keep a close watch. Remember in school a zillion years ago in lab the teacher dropped a tooth in a glass of Coke and it was GONE in a couple of days? I cannot believe people drink this stuff. But as a cleaner it’s pretty good.
P.S. Soak in the vinegar undiluted. Just putting a half cup in the washer won’t do it.