Melabain

From Halachipedia
  1. After having washed one’s hands on Shabbat, it’s permissible to dry them on a towel, however, it’s preferable to rub one’s hands together to dry them before drying them on a towel. [1]
  2. If one’s hands became soiled with mud one may not clean them off by wiping them on a towel or handkerchief however one may wipe them one a cloth which one isn’t concerned about cleaning (like a napkin). [2]
  3. One may dry dishes on a towel even if it gets wet but one may not dry out a thin cup or thermos. [3]

References

  1. S”A 302:10 writes that after having washed one’s hands, it’s preferable to rub one’s hands together before drying them on a towel. The Rama 302:10 writes that the minhag is to be lenient not to be concerned for this issue. The Mishna Brurah 302:50 explains that it is permissible because even though one is getting the towel wet since it is effectively dirting the towel there is no issue of Mechabes (cleaning). Nonetheless, because there are some authorities who are strict it’s a good practice to be strict. The Yalkut Yosef (Shabbat vol 2 pg 89) agrees that it’s permissible but preferable to follow S”A.
  2. S”A 302:11, Mishna Brurah 302:57, Shemirat Shabbat KeHilchata 14:26
  3. S”A 302:12, Mishna Brurah 302:59, Shemirat Shabbat KeHilchata 12:19, 21