Why are tea towels called tea towels

I am holding a tea towel in between my two hands.Im very curious to know.Why are they called tea towels they also clean up different things why isint it called a clean it all towel.
please answer my question
toodle pip
cheerio $x%

You can find the answer to your question here: http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-a-tea-towel.htm