Your Old Kitchen Towels Belong in the Trash (And Here’s Why)

Most of us have a drawer full of towels that look fine but barely work—towels that just push water around, stay damp forever, or start smelling funky after half a day of use. And yet… we keep using them, because what else are we supposed to do?

But after testing dozens of towels with my team—and reading the hundreds of reviews from readers just like you—I can say with absolute confidence: you do not have to put up with bad kitchen towels anymore.

“Husband approved! He offered to make work rags out of the old towels to make room in the drawer for these.” – Tara C.

My Microfiber Kitchen Towels are everything your old towels aren’t. They’re absorbent enough to dry a whole sink of dishes, quick-drying enough to stay fresh between uses, and soft enough to use on everything from stainless steel to delicate glassware. They don’t leave lint, they don’t stay soggy, and they don’t end up shoved in the back of the drawer.

In fact, many of my readers have done exactly what I did: replaced every single old towel they owned.

Before you do the same, let me walk you through exactly why these towels are such a game-changer—and the 10 reasons your old towels truly belong in the trash.

“The best kitchen towel ever! I have replaced all my old kitchen towels with these microfiber cloths.” – Dyson

10 Ways Your Old Towels Fall Short

1. They Just Push Water Around

If your current towels leave dishes damp no matter how many times you wipe them, you’re not imagining it. Most towels smear water instead of soaking it up. These microfiber towels actually remove moisture, so plates, glasses, and utensils are truly dry after one quick swipe.

“Oh. My. Goodness! I can’t believe how absorbent these towels are! One swipe and the dish is DRY! Not just less wet, but completely dry! I ordered more and plan to replace my old (and expensive) microfiber dishtowels completely.” – Linda F.

2. They Leave Lint Everywhere

Nothing ruins a clean kitchen faster than lint on your glasses, streaks on your stainless steel, or fuzz stuck to every surface you just wiped. These towels dry without leaving a single fiber behind, giving you crystal-clear glasses and streak-free shine every time.

“Purchased the cloths for drying hand-washed dishes. I needed a lint-free cloth to dry my few dishes that I don’t put in my dishwasher. These are great! They work so much better than cotton dish towels.” – Janice S.

3. They Get Soggy Fast

Traditional dish towels get heavy, soggy, and useless within minutes. Thanks to ultra-fine microfiber, these towels soak up a surprising amount of water while still feeling light in your hand. You can dry an entire sink full of dishes without the towel ever feeling drenched.

“They are, by far, the BEST drying cloths I have ever owned. They are so absorbent and dry with practically one swipe. Much better than my cotton towels! I do not have to reach for another towel, as I used to, while drying dishes or cleaning up after baking!” – Diane M.

4. They Stay Damp and Start to Smell

That musty “dish towel smell” we all hate usually shows up because the towel stays wet for too long. The waffle weave on these towels helps them dry quickly between uses, so they don’t sit around damp or turn sour. Hang them up, and they’re practically dry in no time.

“These cloths dry instantly as if they had not even been used. I would recommend ordering two packages instead of one because my sister found them in my kitchen, and she took one, and she loves them too.” – Sharon C.

5. They Feel Scratchy on Dry Hands

A lot of microfiber has that unpleasant “snaggy” feel, especially if you have dry hands. These towels don’t do that. They’re soft, smooth, and gentle on skin—tough on spills, but never rough on you.

“This is NOT your typical microfiber towel. Jillee’s towels are so soft and amazingly absorbent. They feel like there are teeny tiny sponges that sop up spills quickly and dry glasses and dishes to perfection! I’ve purchased several sets for friends, and my daughter brags that they are the softest, BEST towels! Move over, old dish towels!” – Angie V.

6. They Wear Out Quickly

Most dish towels curl, shrink, fray, or lose absorbency after a few washes. These don’t. They hold their shape, keep their softness, and stay absorbent wash after wash. They still look new months later—even with daily use.

“Love ’em!! I was in need of some kitchen towels to hang on my oven door, because everyone who cooks on the stove either spills or needs a towel to wipe their hands on. Typically, towels used for this job quickly get dirty and look used. These wonderful towels have held up beautifully to the typical abuse. Not only do they perform beautifully, but they look beautiful doing it! You’ll love ’em! I know I do!” – Sammie D.

7. They Only Work in One Place

Your old towels might sort of work in the kitchen, but they’re not great for much else. These microfiber towels are useful everywhere: shining stainless steel, wiping mirrors, drying hands, polishing faucets, cleaning windows, drying hair, wiping down shower doors, and even dusting. Once you start using them, you’ll reach for them constantly.

“These towels are fabulous. I dry my dishes, wipe down my shower walls, dust, and do much more with them. They are very absorbent and have become my go-to for cleaning.” – Kristin

8. They Make Everyday Chores Take Longer

Slow-drying, linty, smelly towels make simple chores more frustrating than they need to be. These towels speed things up: they dry faster, clean faster, and shine faster. When a towel actually works, your whole kitchen runs more smoothly—and that’s a small change that makes a big difference.

“This may sound funny, but I feel they help me get out of the kitchen faster. Really wasn’t sure they were going to work, but I can assure you whoever purchases these will love them. Thank you!!! I’m glad I took a chance on them.” – Linda A.

9. They Look Good But Don’t Actually Work

A lot of kitchen towels only look good—especially the cute holiday ones hanging on the oven door that everyone knows they’re not supposed to use. They’re decor, not tools. My microfiber towels are different. They’re pretty enough to leave out all the time, but they’re also the ones you actually reach for to dry dishes, wipe counters, and clean up spills. No more separate piles of “good towels” and “real towels.”

“Wonderful towels! I purchased the red and green microfiber kitchen dish towels for myself and as a gift. The colors are very vibrant and work great. I’ve recycled my other holiday kitchen towels and will only be using these.” – Claudette

10. They Get Stuffed in a Drawer and Forgotten

Most towel sets you buy (or receive as gifts) end up shoved in a drawer and forgotten, because they just don’t work that well. They don’t absorb water, they leave lint, and no one in the house reaches for them on purpose. These microfiber towels are the opposite—once people try them, they replace their old towels, buy more for themselves, and start giving them as gifts. They’re practical, hard-working, and actually get used every day.

“Every Christmas, I give all my girls my favorite things. The year before last, I gave these towels, and this past year I gave more. They have already requested these for next year. Really love these towels.” – Mary T.

Time to Replace Those Old Towels (For a Lot Less!)

If you’re suddenly realizing your old towels don’t stand a chance… good news! My Black Friday Sale makes it easier than ever to replace every single one of them without blowing your budget:

• Kitchen Towels are 30% off — regularly $19.99 for a 2-pack, now just $13.99
• Buy 3 packs, get 1 free, which brings the cost down to $10.49 per 2-pack
• Or get the Microfiber Cloth Kit for 40% off, which includes a set of Kitchen Towels, Cleaning Cloths, and Dishcloths (a great way to try all three sizes!)

And if you’ve been waiting for Christmas colors… they’re back!

We brought back our best-selling festive red and our rich, deep green. Both colors are available in our Kitchen Towel size and our Dishcloth size.

We also added black to the lineup in both the Kitchen Towel and Cleaning Cloth sizes. Customers have been asking for darker colors that hide stains, and black happens to be a favorite among the men who love these towels, too.

Whether you’re refreshing your own towel drawer or picking up a few sets as gifts (they’re one of my most-gifted items every Christmas!), this is the perfect time to stock up and finally retire those old towels for good.

CLICK HERE TO SHOP

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