Lesley Stockton, researcher with the consumer advocate group, Wirecutter, has a few things to say about what makes a great dish cloth.

I mention it because a good dish towel is indispensable in the kitchen. They wear out and over the years and need replacing, and they make great gifts. So here’s what Lesley has to say on the subject:

“We’ve wiped up gallons of spills and dried countless dishes with 25 towels over the past four years, and the Williams Sonoma All Purpose Pantry Towel has been our favorite for the last two of them. It’s absorbent, durable, affordable, and available in a rainbow of colors. We’re confident you’ll enjoy years of use from these indispensible towels.”

Lesley explains that this towel is their favorite because it’s big, thirsty, long-lasting, and reasonably priced. With tightly looped cotton on one side and waffle weave on the other, this towel has the absorbency of terry cloth without the fluff.

It’s been in regular rotation in the test kitchen for two full years and shows no signs of wear. It has a convenient loop for hanging and comes in six colors. (It’s on sale right now: 4 for $16 on their website, www.williams-sonoma.com; use promo code FRIENDS.)

I have a couple of these towels and I think the claims are spot-on. Of all the different towels I’ve tried, this brand is by far the hardest working and is my very favorite.

Lesley also shares the runner up in the towel department: “The Crate and Barrel Cuisine Stripe Dish Towel is slightly less absorbent than our top pick, but still very thirsty for a flat-weave towel. It’s well-constructed, with sturdy stitching and deep, smooth hems. We love the modern striped pattern, thick hanging loop and five eye-catching color choices. Although this towel is on the pricier side, we’re confident it’ll hold up to years of use and frequent washes.”

Yup, pricier is right. $13 for a set of two. But you savvy Cook’n cooks know that quality lasts and lasts. So the idea is that the price factors out over the years.

Now rather than go on about Lesley’s other towel contenders, I thought you might like a few clever ideas for some ways to use a nice kitchen dish towel besides wiping dishes. I mentioned above they make nice gifts. For instance:

How about giving a loaf of freshly baked bread AND a new dish towel at the same time?

Still on the bread idea, why not wrap your favorite loaf of banana, cranberry, or zucchini bread in a pretty new dish towel? And as the photo shows, complete the wrap with a fresh sprig of greenery.

And what a nice way to give someone a cookbook! Add in a couple quality wooden spoons and the lucky recipient is ready to cook.

Or if you’re bringing a pie to this year’s Thanksgiving dinner, why not wrap it in a nice dish towel for a nice hostess gift?

Along this same line, if you’re a dinner guest, consider bringing a bottle of sparkling cider wrapped in a good dish towel. Your hostess will love you.

Last idea: You could line an inexpensive basket with a lovely dish towel and fill the basket with your favorite scones, cookies, bars, etc. for your hostess (or a lucky neighbor or friend).

Ideas on how to use nice dish towels as part of your gifting approach are only limited by your imagination. But don’t you love the idea of receiving such a thoughtful gift? So will your friends and family.