The Fresh Loaf

A Community of Amateur Bakers and Artisan Bread Enthusiasts.

Proofing Tea Towels

tangy's picture
tangy

Proofing Tea Towels

Fellow bakers, I want to start out by saying how amazingly helpful this forum has been to my bread baking obsession :) 

My question is related to the tea towels used during proofing. I see that there are bakers who never wash their proofing baskets or linens. If I'm using a colander and tea towel combo, would you recommend against my washing the tea towels?

Thanks in advance for your help!

 

Cooky's picture
Cooky

Julia Child insisted you should never wash them. But she also said you should only use linen towels. Which are all but impossible to find now.

Ford's picture
Ford

Be daring, wash, and reflour when you need a proofing towel.  If it works, it's OK!

Ford

mimi7107's picture
mimi7107

Hi Tangy,

I use tea towels and always wash them after each use.  They work just fine that way!  I find that any kind of a light weight towel works well.  Happy proofing!

 

tangy's picture
tangy

Thank you, all, for your prompt responses :) 

sourdough sammy's picture
sourdough sammy

I just bought linen (i.e. made of flax and NOT cotton) at Crate and Barrell.  They feel wonderful.  I have linen bed sheets, too.  I'm sure you get find them online.  As to washing, I'm not sure why you wouldn't wash them.  I do....

pjkobulnicky's picture
pjkobulnicky

My only cautions are (1) use washing soda and not soap for taste reasons as stated above and (2) try to dry them so they are flat and not wrinkled so you can dust them more evenly.