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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Three separate towels!?

109 replies

TwoTowels · 11/10/2022 12:09

Somehow I got to adulthood without knowing about the necessity for dedicated glass towels. New OH is English and insists on them. Glassware is only to be dried with glass towels, NOT regular teatowels. Fair enough, it takes all the streaks off and all that.
But… my question, which he can't answer, is, why don't we just use the glass towels to dry everything, whether it's glass or not? Presumably that won't harm the other items.
He doesn't know the answer but still insists that glass towels are only for glasses.... so now I have to have three bleedin' towels hanging up in my tiny kitchen!!??

Please enlighten me!

OP posts:
MsGrahamCheese · 11/10/2022 12:48

We've always used them though. Rinse the glass in just boiled hot water and buff with the cloth. Same with cutlery.

AlisonDonut · 11/10/2022 12:48

As long as he dries them, he is fine to have two or three towels surely [what is the third one for though?]

I'd obviously use the wrong one if someone was banging on about this in my house and I had to dry some myself.

NumptiesIncorporated · 11/10/2022 12:48

Definitely a thing. My mum used to have some years ago. Not really needed now though - dishwashers and airdrying take away the need for them.

AmadeusBreathingWater · 11/10/2022 12:49

glass towels are definitely a thing. Although I use them for everything, I don’t like fluffy tea towels. The point of having a glass cloth is that it doesn’t leave bits of fluff on the glass

NumptiesIncorporated · 11/10/2022 12:49

what is the third one for though?

I'm assuming one for dishes, one for glass and one for hands.

NotMeNoNo · 11/10/2022 12:50

MsGrahamCheese · 11/10/2022 12:48

We've always used them though. Rinse the glass in just boiled hot water and buff with the cloth. Same with cutlery.

Sounds a bit energy intensive!

FatOaf · 11/10/2022 12:51

Glass towels are useless for drying anything as they aren't sufficiently absorbent.

Having a separate tea-towel for glasses is definitely the preserve of those with way too much time on their hands.

greenhousegal · 11/10/2022 12:51

OTT in a domestic setting anyway IMV. Either dishwasher, air dry, or rinse and drain then if you are having the MIL over buff with a paper towel to get that sparkling look that only she would comment on if not pristine.

Where I live my Smart meter gives me a free electric day on a Saturday. So I just handwash the basics and air dry on a rack during the week and everything is done on a Saturday, loads of dishwashing, clothes washing, water heating, tumble drying, you name it. Don't know if it's a good thing as I FIND things to plug in! But being frugal with power during the week pays off. No kids here so we get by. Don't know where that monologue came from.... senior moment! Oh yes, handwashing glasses and air drying etc.

user53852098 · 11/10/2022 12:51

just use the glass towels for all the washing up, they are no more expensive than tea towels and can be bought easily

hesbeingabitofadick · 11/10/2022 12:52

Glass towels are fab for glass. So he's right about that...
However...
Unless he's the one doing the washing up/drying, he doesn't get to choose.
Maybe leave all the glasses separate for him to wash? Wink

Oh, and if teatowels leave "bits", you're buying the wrong type of fluffy teatowel.

FatOaf · 11/10/2022 12:52

wtf is a glass towel and how can it be distinguished from a tea towel.

It has GLASS printed on it:

www.amazon.co.uk/Cotton-Cloth-Quality-Alternative-Towel/dp/B006CP6J8Y

gogohmm · 11/10/2022 12:53

I know what they are, but seriously, who cares ?

They are less absorbent so inferior at drying despite being streak free, that's why you need both. I use a dishwasher Grin

greenhousegal · 11/10/2022 12:53

FatOaf · 11/10/2022 12:52

wtf is a glass towel and how can it be distinguished from a tea towel.

It has GLASS printed on it:

www.amazon.co.uk/Cotton-Cloth-Quality-Alternative-Towel/dp/B006CP6J8Y

LOL 😂😂😂

sausage767 · 11/10/2022 12:53

I have special microfibre cloths for glasses and mirrors. I have a mirror splash back in my kitchen so it needs to be spotless.

greenhousegal · 11/10/2022 12:55

Fair play to you @sausage767 that wouldn't work for me. I am a slattern and I'd hate to be looking at myself anytime I was in the kitchen too.

sausage767 · 11/10/2022 13:06

@greenhousegal the builder said I’d regret it, but I never have. We live in the country with a magnificent view so it was the only option. I can manage to cook without getting a mess everywhere but my husband can’t!

I clean it with a strong solution of cold black tea in a spray bottle and said cloth. Works like a charm, non toxic and cheap. There’s a glass and mirror cleaning tip from me.

I sit at the end of the island where I can’t see myself in the mirror.

phishy · 11/10/2022 13:08

As long as he is the one drying the glasses, let him crack on with his little glass towel. What can it hurt?

Favouritefruits · 11/10/2022 13:09

Tea towels are unhygienic, air dry your dishes instead.

FangsForTheMemory · 11/10/2022 13:12

I’ve got glass towels. They are white with a coloured stripe down the long side and the word ‘glass’ woven in.

Am I posh then?

Wexone · 11/10/2022 13:14

Get a dishwasher bung everything in it, washes and dry's everything. Argument resolved plus you are saving money, energy and time. Or else washing up etc is his job and towels go in wash after use

greenhousegal · 11/10/2022 13:19

@sausage767 It sounds lovely and so glad you like it so much. Funny enough, my granny used to use cold tea on her mirrors, can't remember what cloths she used as I doubt there was microfibre back then.. Brought back nice memories!

Amisillyornot · 11/10/2022 13:20

Technically you should not be using a towel at all. Paper towel is used to dry any utensils due to cross contamination from cloth towels. Paper towels in my house.

whatwasIgoingtosay · 11/10/2022 13:21

Agree, just get a dishwasher and you won't need a glass/tea towel ever again.

Giveaschitt · 11/10/2022 13:24

Amisillyornot · 11/10/2022 13:20

Technically you should not be using a towel at all. Paper towel is used to dry any utensils due to cross contamination from cloth towels. Paper towels in my house.

That sounds marvelous for the environment.

Etinoxaurus · 11/10/2022 13:28

PhilistineWazzock · 11/10/2022 12:30

I've heard of face and arse towel but never a glass towel.

A poem!

Tell you what OP, sounds like DH needs to take charge of washing. He can knock himself out using exactly the towel he wants.