I take baby washcloths. They are smaller than regular washcloths, take up less space and dry faster than the regular ones. I don't like the disposable ones (Dove/Oil of Olay) that already have soap in them.

Wow. I read through that huge long thread recently about washcloths, and I sure missed any reference at all to anyone using a washcloth because of the "sanitation" thing using their hands. Most seemed to say they liked the "abrasion" of a cloth. Sure. When you wash dishes (even before putting them in the dishwasher), don't you use a brush or cloth or sponge, rather than just your hand? There is no doubt that a cloth will help exfoliate the skin and remove dead cells and "dirt" better than just your smooth hand.

If anyone at all suggested they use the cloth to "cover" their hand to prevent it from touching their personal parts, I sure missed that!

Meanwhile I always thought that mitt idea was good. But the apartment we rent in Paris provides those. I agree with Nikki that it seems inconvenient. I switch the cloth from hand to hand, and the mitt just doesn't cut it for me.

So yes, I take a few older washcloths, and usually end up using them to also wipe dirty shoes or other heavy duty jobs after using them to shower with and toss them before returning home.

Big Lots has packages of washcloths for something like a dozen for under $5. I take washcloths with me and throw them away as I leave a hotel or apartment.

What I can't figure out is how Americans came to use washcloths and Europeans didn't. (I don't know about other parts of the world.) I don't know when in history the bath towel evolved, but I assume that at some point way back when, the lady of the house was sewing whatever was used to dry the family members after a bath. Why did Americans want/need an extra little cloth and Europeans didn't? Is it because, as a nation, Americans were bidet-less?

I ask this historical question every time there is a wash cloth thread, but I've yet to find anyone with an answer.

Any person who has done a vigorous and sweaty workout, or any person who has worked in a "grime intensive" job all day and has taken a shower using only soap and his hands will know that after he dries he may still smell a bit and certainly won't feel totally clean and refreshed. If he uses a washcloth, it will make all the difference in the world. Yes, it IS that simple. A cloth helps remove a lot that your hand doesn't.

To second Missypie on this:

Those cheap packs of washcloths available at Big Lots or Wal Mart/K mart type stores run about $5.

I have gotten as many as 12 for that 5$ price! Well worth it.

That's what loufas and scrubbrushes are for.

Oh speaking of "baby" washcloths:

As it happens, my last vacation was delayed by unexpected sugery and a 7 day stay in a hospital.

I noticed the tiny washcloths they gave me every day. They were cloth only much smaller & thinner.
So I saved them. Washed them and used them again on my trip then tossed them.

I figured for the $52k the hospital charged me for the stay (not including doctors fees) I should get my money's worth.

GreenDragon, I'll agree that scrub brushes and loufas may be even better, but the real question seemed to be why use a wash cloth when your hand will do just as well. UH-UH! It won't.

OUCH! There are certain places I sure wouldn't want to use a loofah or scrub brush.

A little hint on buying washcloths to take to Europe:

If you buy brightly colored washcloths, it is unlikely that the hotel housekeepers will take them away with the towels.

Byrd

I'm not a wash cloth person myself, but wouldn't those Olay or similar one-time use face-wash cloths w/ the soap on them work? They would sure take up a lot less room than a bunch of pieces of cut up terry cloth and you wouldn't have to worry about soap either.

OK, somebody just mentioned washing dishes before putting them in the dishwasher.
I'm sure that this is just an American habit.
My dishwasher actually says that you don't need to wash by hand, just scrape off the debris.
If you are going to wash them up by hand, why use a dishwasher?
It also defeats the point that washing a big dishwasher load saves water.
Somebody told me that American dishwashers don't have filters.
Perhaps this is why you have to rinse the dishes firs.

"I'm sure that this is just an American habit."

Oh really? Perhaps you'd like to stop by and have a chat with our British neighbors who rinse dishes before they stick them in the dishwasher.

I don't know anyone who actually washes their dishes before putting them in the dishwasher. And yes, you can get dishwashers in the U.S. with filters. But it is easier to get some of the gunk off with a wet sponge with an abrasive side, esp. sticky stuff.

Our dishwasher in the UK is not any better than any dishwasher we've had in the U.S.

I do use a brush or sponge to clean the dishes, but that's not the best basis for comparison, as I'm not usually encrusted with spaghetti sauce, baked on grease or salad dressing when I get into the shower, and therefore find that shower gel and hot water, applied by hand, are enough to get me nice and clean.
If I've been out hiking in the mud or walking barefoot outside, then I might use a cloth or a brush or something to scrub myself clean, but not usually.

Miss Prism, I wasn't talking about "washing" the dishes first, but even just rinsing them off -- especially if you've let them sit a bit first. I use a dish brush, others may be use a cloth to quickly wipe the debris off under running water. My only point was -- if you are doing that -- compare to what happens when you do that with your bare hand as opposed to doing that with a cloth or sponge or brush. Note how much more stuff comes off when you do a quick wipe with a cloth or brush as opposed to just wiping them with your hand. That's all.

I prefer not to put a lot of scrap food in my dishwasher, even though the manufacturer seems to think that's fine.
No my dishwasher doesn't have a "food filter" -- it empties into the drain of the kitchen sink above the disposal so all garbage can be ground and shot down that way. If yours has a filter, does that mean you have to empty or clean it to get rid of all the food that goes into the dishwasher?

I remember that there was a study in the 50s about instant cake-mixes.
It seems that a study found that American preferred products that still allowed them to do some work: cake mixes to which egg had to be added, and uncooked pies.
They felt guilty about using convenience products.
Perhaps they feel guilty about using dishwashers.

We always knew these cloths as "face cloths". My mother used to scrub our faces with soap and warm water on them when we were young.
I never ever thought people used them for other parts of their bodies until we were on a cruise ship. On walking past a nearby cabin to ours, the steward had left the laundry trolley outside with the dirty towels. There sitting on top of the pile was ....a "wash cloth" covered in streaks of excrement!!!!!!!
UNBELIEVABLE!!!

A naughty old lady, moi?
At least I got them away from the eternal face-flannel fixation ;-)
Now, do you wash your wok and omelette pan or just wipe them after use?

Like Kybourbon, I take a couple of infant washcloths with a soft side and a scrubbing side. They easily dry overnight or while we're out during the day. And, if it's wet when we check out, it fits in a tiny ziplock for drying at the next location. (Plus...I like the dainty embroidered pink bunnies!)

carylspall, surely you didn't investigate THAT closely? Perhaps it was streaks of the chocolate mousse delivered by room service that got spilled and wiped up with a washcloth.