The 10 Best Flour Sack Towels
Special Honors
Williams Sonoma Flour Sack Towels These oversized towels are woven from unbleached cotton that is extra soft, super absorbent, and free of lint. They’re an environmentally friendly alternative to paper towels, and are great for anything from drying dishes and glassware to straining foods and covering rising bread dough. They come in a set of four and are machine washable. williams-sonoma.com
Crate & Barrel Set of 3 Though these cotton sheets are great for wiping dishes dry, they also can serve as a reusable alternative to cheese cloth, as well as a strainer for meat stock. They also work great as a bread basket liner or a filter when you’re making yogurt or cheese. They come in solid white, at a budget friendly price of less than $10 per pack. crateandbarrel.com
Jennifer's Closet Funny If you like the idea of creating humorous flour sack towels as gifts, but perhaps don't have the time or supplies, consider instead one or two funny towels from Jennifer's Closet. A handmade choice, they feature a range of cute sayings, such as "Let the beet drop" and "Don't go bacon my heart." etsy.com
Editor's Notes
December 11, 2020:
Because both sets offer versatility, durability, and a good value, we have saved the top spots for the Utopia Kitchen 12 Pack and Aunt Martha's 33 x 38 inch. Aunt Martha's towels are larger, but also a touch more expensive, and perhaps the better option of the two for embroidery. For crafts projects, we also kept the sturdy Aunti Em's Vintage, although you can certainly use them for kitchen-related tasks, such as lining a bread basket.
For those who want something on the more decorative side, we kept the brightly colored Now Designs Set of Three, even though they currently offer fewer patterns than they did previously. The Maison d' Hermine Rose Garden is also an eye-catching choice, especially if you like flowers, since there are a range of other floral-themed versions to select from.
Finally, we opted to add a new organic choice, the Madras Collections White. With their 100 percent organic cotton construction, they're an eco-friendly option. Be sure to wash them before you use them, as this will help boost their absorbency. In fact, you should probably wash any kitchen towels you buy before you use them, for the sake of food safety and hygiene.
September 26, 2019:
When you’ve got a full rack of dinnerware to dry by hand, you’ll want multiple sturdy dish towels to handle the job. Flour sack towels are a reliable option, since they’re large in size and will cover a lot of ground. They also double as a means for covering a bowl of rising dough and gently drying tender herbs and berries. They’re even useful for dusting since their soft texture won’t scratch wood surfaces.
In this update, the Now Designs Set of Three edges into the top three options. This popular choice comes in a wide array of bold, solid color choices, as well as clever patterns featuring checkers, berries and other fruit, penguins, farm animals, and more. They’re sure to add a fun pop of color to any kitchen. Their attractive packaging makes for a nice housewarming or hostess gift. (For other whimsical selections that would make for nice presents, look to the Sticky Toffee Cotton and the Maison d' Hermine.)
The Utopia Kitchen 12 Pack move into the top spot in our selection. These no-nonsense towels feature sturdy, machine-stitched edges and can hold up for years of use. They can double as a means of covering a hot bowl of food or covering bread dough during the proofing process.