How often do you buy...kitchen (working) linens?

**Judi Dial** · 10-26-2010, 10:45 AM

I'm talking about kitchen towels, hot mitts, etc.

I stopped buying cheap kitchen towels as it seemed like I was constantly replacing them...lately I've bought 3 from an antique store that sells old ones, mostly linen and I plan to replace my cheap (ebay) huck towels as they disintegrate with those. What do you do?

Also re hot mitts or hot pads...Years ago I bought commercial "bakers pad" and we've now got 2 of them. One of them got so badlly scorched that I'm looking to replace it. But I don't use the decorative ones...do you?

Since I'm in "replacement mode" with both items, I'm curious what all the rest of you do?

TIA --

Judi

**shoiji** · 10-26-2010, 10:50 AM

I made up a bunch of rags to replace using paper towels. I used old towels to make them. Have found they come in great as a replacement to kitchen towels, pot holders, and hot plates. Years ago I was given really nice kitchen towels by a neighbor. They are still in great condition. So if company is coming over I will pull one out. I also have a large collection of cloth napkins. They also come in handy in replace of a kitchen towel.

If I ever buy kitchen towels I will be sure to save up and buy really good ones since the ones I have are atleast 15 years old and still look brand new.

**Siebrie** · 10-26-2010, 10:53 AM

Same here, the quality ones I have are about 20 yrs old. They are only now wearing thin, and we use them a lot, because we don't have a dishwasher ('-yet' dh would add).

**Contrary Housewife** · 10-26-2010, 01:58 PM

Probably less often than I should. I have some pot holders that are all getting grungy after 5-10 years of use. I wash them but it doesn't seem to get the stains out. Same with the towels. And I have trouble finding them in colors I like. DH uses the towels on the floor and counters. I use sponges, which I buy every couple of months.

**Dancing Lotus** · 10-26-2010, 02:25 PM

It's agreed that the cheap ones are not worth it. Same for bath towels. Ours were 11 yrs old when I replaced them just this year. Truth be told they didn't really need to be replaced I just got sick of looking at them.

**Ceashels** · 10-26-2010, 02:27 PM

I get new hot mitts... when someone gives them to me! lol. I did purchase some cheap washclothes to use as "napkins" as my old ones got relegated to "cleaning status."

We gave lots of dish towels right now so we don't replace them very often.

**mauimagic** · 10-26-2010, 02:44 PM

I collect and use linen dish towels from places we visit and also receive the same as gifts. We have a lot of dishtowels - I'm using some that were my mother's so they are over 60 years old - the colors are still strong!!

Potholders I make or buy at craft sales when I see colors or styles that I like - and I love seasonal kitchen linens.

We use cloth napkins and I make seasonal ones too.

I use my older kitchen towels, etc in our preschool kitchen - since they are changed at least daily, they get a lot of use.

**heartofmine** · 10-26-2010, 04:15 PM

I have found a good quality dish cloth at of all places our drug store and I love them. They are 3 for $5.00 but they are good ones. I've bought 2 bunches and haven't had to buy any since. I have received others for gifts. My sis tends to give me dishcloths, towels, and bath towels as gifts so I actually have a stock up of those.

When the towels, washcloths, etc get raggedy they become cleaning rags. I have a pan under the sink with some in them and a little basket downstairs in the laundry room with some in it so they are always convenient when one is needed.

**frugalwarrior2** · 10-26-2010, 05:11 PM

We go thru a lot of them and they have a simply horrible life.lol. I get new potholders at garge sales and finally figured out if they have xmas theme their cheap.
Recently I scored big at Kroger 75% off on terry bar towels (2pk.-1 small/1 med in white) .34/2. I grabbed about 2 dozen before the pigs got em'.lol I regret not getting more.

**ladytoysdream** · 10-26-2010, 05:19 PM

I buy at the dollar store when and if I have to. I don't like the quality but the price is right. Usually my dish cloths for hand washing.
My best finds come from garage / moving / estate sales. I recently picked up 2 dark blue full size bath towels. NEW. For 50 cents each. She had other linens too but nothing that got my attention.

**TigerGirl1226** · 10-26-2010, 05:27 PM

I've got a varitatoin of this set : Kitchen Smart Anti Bacterial Kitchen Linens.

We got it in 2007. Other than a couple of the hems coming unraveled, I've had no problems. They hold up quite well and I like that it all coordinates.

**annymoll** · 10-26-2010, 08:07 PM

I buy new potholders, towels, and dishcloths yearly. I look for sales.I go through them quickly, I change the towels and cloths daily. I pick up bathtowels a couple of times a year . My sheets last forever- I buy quality and they last and last.I give my older things to our housekeeper,the animal shelter, or take them to the church . I can also put a few in the kitchenette at the office, so I feel that they have a long and useful life.

**Palooka** · 10-27-2010, 12:54 AM

I don't think I have ever bought a potholder in my life. They all have been given to me. Dish clothes/kitchen towels pretty much come from the Dollar store or were gifts. I don't go to cheap on bathroom towels so I don't replace them to often.

Anything old gets turned into cleaning rags.

**mndtrp** · 10-27-2010, 01:14 AM

We are using some towels and potholders that our mothers were using when we were growing up. I guess we aren't very hard on them, as they are still in good shape.