# do white people use washcloths? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [November 10, 2005, 1:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-white-people-use-washcloths/330320 "2005-11-10T01:06:48Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![onedayfishsale](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/onedayfishsale/32/4398_2.png) [@onedayfishsale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/onedayfishsale)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2005, 5:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-white-people-use-washcloths/330320/61 "2005-11-10T17:54:48Z")
I’m quite white, in my mid-to-late 20s, and I am a washcloth user, with one twist. I don’t use a washcloth on my face (hands only), only the rest of my body. This might have to do with my perception that the rest of my body (and thus the washcloth) is usually dirtier than my face, or maybe the smell of the washcloth (I do launder them, but still). The use of a washcloth (“rag”) is something I was raised with, though I have gone through brief stints of other methods (the poofy thing, bar of soap, hands only, a sponge). But I always revert to the washcloth. And now I’ve spent way too much time pondering my morning hygiene habits. ---
**Author:** ![Troy\_McClure\_SF](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/troy_mcclure_sf/32/4150_2.png) [@Troy\_McClure\_SF](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Troy_McClure_SF)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2005, 5:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-white-people-use-washcloths/330320/62 "2005-11-10T17:56:21Z")
Oh, and washcloths can be, y’know, washed. It’s not like we get one on our 18th birthday and we have to use the same one every day for life, like boxer shorts. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![irishgirl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/8edcca/32.png) [@irishgirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/irishgirl)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2005, 6:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-white-people-use-washcloths/330320/63 "2005-11-10T18:55:45Z")
I don’t use one. Because I remember the palaver as a child when my grandmother made us have three. One in the wash, one to use and one spare. They were colour coded and Og help us if she found we’d used the same cloth for more than 3 days running. Since then it’s shower puff (which I bleach for 20mins once a week-my germphobic childhood scarred me) for body and hands for face (since I exfoliate every day, extra friction isn’t required). ---
**Author:** ![Debaser](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/3da27b/32.png) [@Debaser](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Debaser)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2005, 8:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-white-people-use-washcloths/330320/64 "2005-11-10T20:10:29Z")
> [@Troy McClure SF](#): > > White guy here, I use a washcloth & bar soap. Seems like the rougher surface of a washcloth would scrub away oil and crud a hell of a lot better than my hand could, unless I used my fingernails. Abrasion = clean, IMHO. I’m starting to wonder more about what these washclothes actually are. I was thinking of a small towel like thing that you would use to dry your hands after washing them in the sink. You guys seem to be referring to something that you use in the shower? Can you elaborate? ---
**Author:** ![IvoryTowerDenizen](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ivorytowerdenizen/32/17937_2.png) [@IvoryTowerDenizen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/IvoryTowerDenizen)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2005, 8:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-white-people-use-washcloths/330320/65 "2005-11-10T20:18:50Z")
> [@Debaser](#): > > I’m starting to wonder more about what these washclothes actually are. I was thinking of a small towel like thing that you would use to dry your hands after washing them in the sink. You guys seem to be referring to something that you use in the shower? Can you elaborate? hand towel- for after you wash your hands, to dry them Wash cloth- use in the bath/shower, get them wet and soapy and scrub! Also good for washing your face before bed. ---
**Author:** ![Mirror\_Image\_egamI\_rorriM](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e56c9b/32.png) [@Mirror\_Image\_egamI\_rorriM](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mirror_Image_egamI_rorriM)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2005, 8:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-white-people-use-washcloths/330320/66 "2005-11-10T20:22:27Z")
Whitey McWhiterson here. I used to use a shower poof thing, and then I read on the SDMB that they’re basically big bacteria farms. I switched to washcloths, a new one every day, with a squirt of liquid soap on them. My skin, which used to be pretty acne-y, has cleared up amazingly. No one else in my family uses washcloths, I had to buy a bunch of new ones because I use a new one everyday. Luckily, they were something like 20 for $5 at K-mart. ---
**Author:** ![Godfrey\_Daniels](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/9e8a1a/32.png) [@Godfrey\_Daniels](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Godfrey_Daniels)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2005, 9:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-white-people-use-washcloths/330320/67 "2005-11-10T21:15:35Z")
Grew up using one and still do. Don’t use it on the male dangly bits, but rather use my hand, to avoid accumulation of pubes on the cloth. Rinse well after use and change every couple of days or so. ---
**Author:** ![YaWanna](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/bbce88/32.png) [@YaWanna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/YaWanna)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2005, 10:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-white-people-use-washcloths/330320/68 "2005-11-10T22:10:31Z")
I’m white. I only use a washcloth to clean a dirty spot on my body when I’m not able to bathe/shower. In the bath/shower, I either just rub the soap directly on my body (and I’m not worried about the fact that it was just rubbing my asshole and is now cleaning my neck - though I don’t use bath soap on my face, ever), or - if I’m using a liquid soap or gel - use one of those net poofy things. Oh, I also use a washcloth to clean my pearls after I wear them, and to wipe down the sink area when I’ve splashed around it too much. My spouse is white, and never uses a washcloth. Most of our visiting relatives have left unused the washcloths I’ve provided. ---
**Author:** ![Troy\_McClure\_SF](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/troy_mcclure_sf/32/4150_2.png) [@Troy\_McClure\_SF](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Troy_McClure_SF)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2005, 10:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-white-people-use-washcloths/330320/69 "2005-11-10T22:12:55Z")
> [@Debaser](#): > > I’m starting to wonder more about what these washclothes actually are. I was thinking of a small towel like thing that you would use to dry your hands after washing them in the sink. You guys seem to be referring to something that you use in the shower? Can you elaborate? Pretty much. Just like the towel I use to dry myself after the shower, but about a foot square. Get it nice and wet, rub the soap on, and scrub. Re-apply soap as needed. Rinse when done. ---
**Author:** ![YaWanna](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/bbce88/32.png) [@YaWanna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/YaWanna)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2005, 10:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-white-people-use-washcloths/330320/70 "2005-11-10T22:19:14Z")
> [@Debaser](#): > > I’m starting to wonder more about what these washclothes actually are. I was thinking of a small towel like thing that you would use to dry your hands after washing them in the sink. The thing you were thinking of is called a **hand** towel. My barbarian spouse studiously avoids them, and always dries his hand on the bath towels. This is disgusting, but it’s even more so when guests do it (we only have 1 full bathroom). And what’s up with people who don’t provide a hand towel next to the sink in their powder room/bathroom? What am I supposed to dry my hands on after I wash them after using the toilet? Makes me think they don’t wash after using the toilet. Yecccch! Sorry for the off-topic rant. ---
**Author:** ![DMark](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e68b1a/32.png) [@DMark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DMark)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2005, 10:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-white-people-use-washcloths/330320/71 "2005-11-10T22:38:34Z")
I’m such a honky I use white-out to cover my blemishes. However, I never understood the need for a washcloth. I mean, I stand naked in a hot shower for longer than the Catholic Church would deem appropriate, I use soap and shampoo, have never been afraid to touch my body and I have never noticed any cakes of mud left on me when I exit the shower. I do have washcloths in the guest bathroom, but that is sort of like putting out wax fruit in the bowl on the coffee table…I don’t really expect anybody to actually use them. ---
**Author:** ![Dr\_Paprika](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr_paprika/32/3042_2.png) [@Dr\_Paprika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr_Paprika)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2005, 11:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-white-people-use-washcloths/330320/72 "2005-11-10T23:35:20Z")
Umm… asking this because of a comment? From Chapelle? Glad he didn’t mention Junior Mints. I use a flannel if available and clean. ---
**Author:** ![Balthisar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/balthisar/32/2825_2.png) [@Balthisar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Balthisar)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2005, 11:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-white-people-use-washcloths/330320/73 "2005-11-10T23:54:24Z")
> [@Debaser](#): > > I’m starting to wonder more about what these washclothes actually are. I was thinking of a small towel like thing that you would use to dry your hands after washing them in the sink. You guys seem to be referring to something that you use in the shower? Can you elaborate? Exactly like that, same material, often part of the same towel set, except the size is approximately 5x5. We’re not all being specific enough, though, I think. For example, I definitely use a wash cloth in the shower. I freaked out for a couple of months and tried every substitute I could get my hands on until I was able to bring my own wash cloth down to me. But for using the sink? Heck, no, not unless I need to do something extraordinary like wash my face. For hands in the sink? Extraextraordinary like I have no Go-Jo and I need extra scrubbing action. ---
**Author:** ![DrCube](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a3d4f5/32.png) [@DrCube](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrCube)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2005, 12:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-white-people-use-washcloths/330320/74 "2005-11-11T00:19:25Z")
Another white guy who was brought up on wash cloths chiming in. I used them all my life, never thought there was any other way. But now I use those puff loofah whatchacallits and the “body wash.” Seems less sanitary than the washcloth, because it never gets washed (except, of course, by me in the shower). Anyway, so we’re all on the same track, I’m talking about the cloths that come in the same isle as bath towels (different material than “dishrags”), theyre about 10 inches to a foot square. Before liquid “body wash” we used to have these things called “bars of soap” that, if rubbed against bare skin, would collect unsightly, though probably clean, pubic hairs. The soap was sudsed up agains the wash cloth to guard against this problem. A wash cloth was sort of a middle man between the soap and my dirty, dirty body. ---
**Author:** ![Fallsguy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/bb73d2/32.png) [@Fallsguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fallsguy)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2005, 12:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-white-people-use-washcloths/330320/75 "2005-11-11T00:22:51Z")
Thanks, I just snorted my beer out my nose reading this thread ttle. Guess I need a washcloth. ---
**Author:** ![Larry\_Mudd](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/f14d63/32.png) [@Larry\_Mudd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Larry_Mudd)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2005, 12:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-white-people-use-washcloths/330320/76 "2005-11-11T00:24:03Z")
I use a big ol’ washcloth to scrub my shoulders and back in the shower. (I probably wouldn’t, except that I have housemates and past experience has taught me that something about a washcloth screams “personal item” in a way that a back-scrubber or loofah-on-a-stick apparently doesn’t.) I have Taiwanese friends who keep a dedicated hot towel heater by the front door and offer each visitor a hot moist towel and a cup of tea as they cross the threshold. I don’t have any white friends who do that. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Ruby](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/13edae/32.png) [@Ruby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ruby)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2005, 12:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-white-people-use-washcloths/330320/77 "2005-11-11T00:28:38Z")
I’m amazed at the number of Dopers who don’t wash their washcloths after each use. I was raised that you used a washcloth to bathe but once used, it went into the laundry. The drying towels weren’t re-used either. Create massive amounts of laundry? Yes. But each time I put a towel up to my nose, it’s “april fresh”. When I leave a used washcloth in the shower to dry, it’s all stiff and nasty by the next day. I think it was in the movie VanWilder where one of the college kids had a “cum rag” they called Suzie and it was all stiff like that. Major ewwwwwwwwww! As for sponges, loofas and such being “more sanitary”, that’s a resounding no. Lots of bacteria are harbored in sponges and all the nooks and crannies of those loofas and puffs. ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Whisperer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cat_whisperer/32/4839_2.png) [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2005, 12:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-white-people-use-washcloths/330320/78 "2005-11-11T00:46:27Z")
Just wanted to clarify a little (because we are a bunch of nitpickers here), that washcloths are usually about 10 inches on a side, not square. They would be about 100 square inches. ---
**Author:** ![Alice\_The\_Goon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ed8c4c/32.png) [@Alice\_The\_Goon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alice_The_Goon)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2005, 2:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-white-people-use-washcloths/330320/79 "2005-11-11T02:02:08Z")
> [@Ruby](#): > > I’m amazed at the number of Dopers who don’t wash their washcloths after each use. I was raised that you used a washcloth to bathe but once used, it went into the laundry. The drying towels weren’t re-used either. Create massive amounts of laundry? Yes. But each time I put a towel up to my nose, it’s “april fresh”. > > When I leave a used washcloth in the shower to dry, it’s all stiff and nasty by the next day. I think it was in the movie VanWilder where one of the college kids had a “cum rag” they called Suzie and it was all stiff like that. Major ewwwwwwwwww! > > As for sponges, loofas and such being “more sanitary”, that’s a resounding no. Lots of bacteria are harbored in sponges and all the nooks and crannies of those loofas and puffs. Amen, sister. I once started a thread wherein I expressed my disgust with shower poofs. Working in a derm office, we see people every day with bacterial infections of the skin caused by these nasty things. It was pretty much a trainwreck. People are extremely attached to their nasties, and I never would have dreamed that so many would fight over their right to bacteria being ground into their skin. And I not only wash my washcloths between uses, I sanitize them. ---
**Author:** ![ouryL](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ouryl/32/6067_2.png) [@ouryL](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ouryL)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2005, 2:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-white-people-use-washcloths/330320/80 "2005-11-11T02:05:40Z")
Hair on the bar of soap grosses people out, so they use washcloths. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-white-people-use-washcloths/330320.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-white-people-use-washcloths/330320.md?page=5)