Can I Kasher My Tablecloths and Dish Towels for Pesach?

Magen Avrohom (O.C. 442:19) writes that a tablecloth can be kashered for Pesach if it undergoes a thorough washing with hot water and soap and is beaten. Igros Moshe (Orach Chaim IV:106) writes that today’s home washing machines, when run through a hot cycle with detergent and agitation, satisfy all these requirements. Rav Belsky, zt”l held that towels made from polyester and other synthetic materials can be kashered in this manner. However, one must inspect the cloth or towel thoroughly to make sure that no chametz remains. It is therefore, better to buy new towels for Pesach, and only use washed tablecloths if they are covered with plastic.

The Gerald & Karin Feldhamer OU Kosher Halacha Yomis is dedicated to the memory of Rav Yisroel Belsky, zt”l, who served as halachic consultant for OU Kosher for more than 28 years; many of the responses in Halacha Yomis are based on the rulings of Rabbi Belsky. Subscribe to the Halacha Yomis daily email here.