I know about that plastic bowl in a sink, I have lived with many families as a tourist, and they used it everywhere. I also know that water is excessively expensive in Britain, especially in the last years. I myself began using the bowl too, of course in anyone else washes up, they don´t.
I discovered the above mentioned advantages myself. Otherwise no one does it here in CR, as far as I know.
I also was taught "tea towel". We call it "utěrka" and it is mostly made of cotton or a mixture of flax and cotton:-)