hbo6

My girlfriend who visited Dublin said to take washcloths because the hotel did not provide them.
Is that true of B&B's and all hotels? Does that mean we should also take soap and shampoo? Anything else we should know????

bratsandbeer

They don't have washcloths in Europe. I have cut up an old towel into small squares and used them and thrown them away.

You can buy disposable cleansing cloths or you can take a scrubby net thing.

I usually take small containers and fill them with the shampoo I like and with a body wash. There is usually always soap.

I usually buy one small roll of travel size toilet paper to have if necessary - can't always count on that if you are out and about. The b&bs will have it.

Padraig

Hotels and B&Bs generally supply soap, shampoo, and shower gel. Typically they issue one bath towel and one hand towel per person. Most hotels supply hairdryers in the room; in some hotels and most B&Bs you might have to ask for one.

Almost never is a washcloth supplied.

janisj

The only places you will normally get a wash cloth anywhere in Europe (there are exceptions - but in general) will be at some of the big US/International chain hotels.

Most anywhere else - wash cloths (face flannels) are considered a personal item. So if you use them, take your own, and some zip lock baggies so you don't have damp wash cloths mixed in w/ your clothes in the suitcase when you move from place to place.

kayd

Yep, I purchased facecloths in Dublin, Amsterdam, and Paris before I remembered to take some with me. No more though, because now when home facecloths look shabby, I toss them in my "Europe essentials" bag for the next trip and discard them on my travels.

Celticharper

I always take a pack of the baby washclothes with me when I travel. Not the diaper wipes, but the dry clothlike washclothes designed for a baby's bath. They are impregnated with a gentle body soap that foams when wet.

These are cheap and disposable and I don't have to worry about packing old washclothes.

onetwo

They do have washcloths (facecloths) in Europe and in Ireland. Whether you will find one in your hotel or B&B depends entirely on the establishment. Some places provide them, others do not. If you need one it is best to bring one along or purchase one in Ireland.

I have stayed at many accommodations in Ireland. Do not count on shampoo or shower gel at B&Bs. Some provide them, others do not. You will always get a small bar of soap and/or liquid soap.

Guenmai

I've been packing my own washcloths, on European trips, since the early 70s. So, pack your own. Happy Travels!

Pegontheroad

I take my own washcloth, which is always colored, not white. I do this so that if I stay in one of the few hotels which supplies a washcloth, the chambermaid will not mistake my personal cloth for one belonging to the hotel.

I lost a washcloth this way once. Not a big deal, but mildly inconvenient.

Leilei

I always buy a very inexpensive set of washcloths(at Target, Dollar General, Walmart.) Then as I move from hotel to hotel, I just toss them. I've done this in France and Italy.

pat

When we asked about wash cloths in Ireland, it was always "tomorrow" but tomorrow never came!

adeben

Customs do vary, don't they! I deduce from these posts that 'washcloths' are used for washing your face, and that they are re-useable. It also seems that they are stored damp before being re-used. It all sounds a bit (how can I put this?) unsanitary. Why not just use soap or somesuch? Or is there some part of the procedure in using 'washcloths' that I have not understood?

logos999

Must have been a fashion up to the 1920ties. I recall my great grandma had some. It's a mistery to me why people ask about this or why it would matter. Do they need special cloths to wipe their behinds after using the bathroom?

ekscrunchy

A washcloth is just a small square of Turkish toweling fabric. They would be hung up to dry just like a towel after use.

But I am from the US and this post is mystifying me as well. It reminds me of all the posts about hand showers!
If you need something like this, bring your own. Or just use soap. Or a corner of the towel in the room.

MissPrism

I never use a washcloth/flannel.
I use disposable pads to clean my face and wash the rest of me with soap held in my hand.
I can't really see an advantage in rubbing soap onto a piece of cloth and then washing with it.

diddl_maus

I use Olay disposable facial wash things. The are washcloth sized, presoaped for your face. Then you can use them for your shower or bath and then throw them out. If you plan to just use them or your face cut them in half, there is more than enough in half of one. Wash cloths get pretty stinky very quickly. I learned that he hard way when my mother wet some and packed them in a plastic bag on a road trip. She wiped my face with that stinky thing and I was almost sick.

Luisah

<<I always take a pack of the baby washclothes with me when I travel. Not the diaper wipes, but the dry clothlike washclothes designed for a baby's bath. They are impregnated with a gentle body soap that foams when wet. >>

I wouldn't use one of those on my face, even a gentle body soap can be irritating. I do what others suggest, bring my own "getting old" cloths and discard.

The reason for washing a face with a washcloth instead of just hands? Exfoliation.

Celticharper

It's quite true that people can be sensitive to even mild soaps, my skin is very sensitive, there are very few creams or face cleaners that I can use. But the baby washcloths are so mild that they work best for me, the Oil of Olay, or Ponds face cloths irritate my skin. So I guess it comes down to what works best for your own particular skin care needs.

I threw out this idea because someone gave me this suggestion a few years ago and it really works for me.

suze

(I'm not a wash cloth user myself) but if you like something to scrub with, wouldn't a loofa or mesh-puff would work better? To be able to shake out & carry in a ziplock bag instead of soggy normal terrycloth toweling.

Luisah

<<wouldn't a loofa or mesh-puff would work better?>>

I wouldn't use either on my face.