# Guys and the poofy thing... A shower question. **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [April 18, 2003, 12:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guys-and-the-poofy-thing-a-shower-question/169532 "2003-04-18T12:54:49Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Phatlewt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/a698b9/32.png) [@Phatlewt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Phatlewt)\ **Post date:** [April 18, 2003, 12:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guys-and-the-poofy-thing-a-shower-question/169532/1 "2003-04-18T12:54:49Z")
I’ll come right out and say it. I use, and love the poofy thing. For those of you who don’t know, the poofy thing (for lack of a better name) is a mesh spherical object used for washing one’s self in the shower. It really makes loads of suds when you lather up, especially if you use a liquid body wash. It also exfoliates a bit too. I was converted to the poofy thing after using it when showering at an ex girlfriend’s place. I’ll never go back to washcloths now. Anyways, the poofy-thing isn’t exactly a manly shower accessory, but I know a lot of guys who use it. I have one. My roommate has one, but it’s not something I would bring in a sports bag. I can only imagine the ribbing I’d get if I pulled out the poofy thing after a hockey game. I’m guessing that lots of guys use a poofy thing… Or maybe I’m just a shower girly-man… Guys, do you use a poofy thing? Do you keep it a secret? When did you start using it? Ladies, is your SO embarrassed by his poofy thing, or does he use it with pride? ---
**Author:** ![roadrunner70](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e19b73/32.png) [@roadrunner70](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/roadrunner70)\ **Post date:** [April 18, 2003, 12:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guys-and-the-poofy-thing-a-shower-question/169532/2 "2003-04-18T12:59:13Z")
Is _that_ what that thing is? Hell, I thought it was an air freshener… ---
**Author:** ![Winnie](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/e480ec/32.png) [@Winnie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Winnie)\ **Post date:** [April 18, 2003, 1:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guys-and-the-poofy-thing-a-shower-question/169532/3 "2003-04-18T13:02:47Z")
\*\* Phatlewt\*\*, my husband proudly uses the poufy thing. He’s used one for years now. His is blue, mine is orange. He’s not embarassed at all for other people to know or see that. A few weeks ago we stayed with a cousin of mine in New Jersey – a very manly, ex-marine cousin – and hubby hung his pouf in the shower upon our arrival next to my cousin’s very manly bar of Dial soap. Hubby is also not ashamed to admit to a fetish for body washes and lotions from [The Body Shop](http://www.thebodyshop.com/), especially the [Satsuma](http://www.usa.thebodyshop.com/web/tbsus/products/us_products_detail.jsp?curr_category=TBSUS_bath_shower&parent_category=TBSUS_bath&itemID=TBSUS10191&is_mac=false) fragrance. Occasionally he’ll use some tea tree oil foot scrub, too. Mr. Winnie is a shower girly-man and proud of it! ---
**Author:** ![FairyChatMom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fairychatmom/32/21906_2.png) [@FairyChatMom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FairyChatMom)\ **Post date:** [April 18, 2003, 1:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guys-and-the-poofy-thing-a-shower-question/169532/4 "2003-04-18T13:03:47Z")
You could do like I do and call it a scrubbie - that sounds a little more manly, doesn’t it? And I’ve seen them in dark, manly colors like forest green and maroon. My husband won’t generally grab it of his own accord, but he loves having his back scrubbed with it, and I oblige whenever I can. ---
**Author:** ![NutMagnet](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/ea5d25/32.png) [@NutMagnet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NutMagnet)\ **Post date:** [April 18, 2003, 1:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guys-and-the-poofy-thing-a-shower-question/169532/5 "2003-04-18T13:04:49Z")
The poofy thing is a loofa sponge. and you are a shower girly-man. 😛 [sub](not that there’s anything wrong with that)[/sub] ---
**Author:** ![H8\_2\_W8](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/c77e96/32.png) [@H8\_2\_W8](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/H8_2_W8)\ **Post date:** [April 18, 2003, 1:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guys-and-the-poofy-thing-a-shower-question/169532/6 "2003-04-18T13:07:26Z")
Poofy in the shower? Reminds me of a joke - Two gay aquaintances were in the shower after working out at the gay gym when the one notices something on the other guy’s member. “Is that a band-aid on your penis?” “No, it’s the ‘Patch.’ I’m trying to quit. I’m down to just 2 butts a day.” ---
**Author:** ![green\_bladder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/73ab20/32.png) [@green\_bladder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/green_bladder)\ **Post date:** [April 18, 2003, 1:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guys-and-the-poofy-thing-a-shower-question/169532/7 "2003-04-18T13:17:12Z")
Ok I’m presuming we’re talking about a loofah here. Or I’ll be making a twit outta myself. 😃 Yep I use a poofy thing… I didn’t know it was something to be ashamed of though… Or is it? Maybe that’s why I’m losing all my friends? ---
**Author:** ![Honeydew\_1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/e19b73/32.png) [@Honeydew\_1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Honeydew_1)\ **Post date:** [April 18, 2003, 1:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guys-and-the-poofy-thing-a-shower-question/169532/8 "2003-04-18T13:27:44Z")
No the poofy thing isn’t a loofah… a loofah is a natural sponge like thing. The poofy thing is a synthetic nylon spherical thing - it comes in lots of very gaudy colours but is brilliant. I use it (but I’m a girl) and I know my bf uses one too - try Dove Shower Cream with it btw… the best thing for dry skin ever !!! And good for you to use it !!! Men with soft skin is never never never a bad thing 😃 ---
**Author:** ![herman\_and\_bill](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/f1d935/32.png) [@herman\_and\_bill](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/herman_and_bill)\ **Post date:** [April 18, 2003, 1:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guys-and-the-poofy-thing-a-shower-question/169532/9 "2003-04-18T13:28:10Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by FairyChatMom \* > \*\*You could do like I do and call it a scrubbie - that sounds a little more manly, doesn’t it? \*\* Nope, nothing ending in ‘ie’ sounds more manly, call it a scrubber. ---
**Author:** ![mouthbreather](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a698b9/32.png) [@mouthbreather](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mouthbreather)\ **Post date:** [April 18, 2003, 1:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guys-and-the-poofy-thing-a-shower-question/169532/10 "2003-04-18T13:30:43Z")
I use a brick to wipe myself down with gasoline. Grrr. ---
**Author:** ![Early\_Out](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/6f9a4e/32.png) [@Early\_Out](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Early_Out)\ **Post date:** [April 18, 2003, 1:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guys-and-the-poofy-thing-a-shower-question/169532/11 "2003-04-18T13:30:51Z")
Anything softer than steel wool is only for girly-men! ---
**Author:** ![Gorgon\_Heap](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/f475e1/32.png) [@Gorgon\_Heap](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gorgon_Heap)\ **Post date:** [April 18, 2003, 1:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guys-and-the-poofy-thing-a-shower-question/169532/12 "2003-04-18T13:34:23Z")
What kind of wusses are you people? I use sandpaper to grind off the dead skin and move along! Now _that’s_ manly. ---
**Author:** ![roadrunner70](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e19b73/32.png) [@roadrunner70](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/roadrunner70)\ **Post date:** [April 18, 2003, 1:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guys-and-the-poofy-thing-a-shower-question/169532/13 "2003-04-18T13:36:16Z")
Do you know how hard it is for me to keep my blow torch going in the shower? And the muriatic acid is a _bitch_ on my pipes… ---
**Author:** ![MercyStreet](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a9adbd/32.png) [@MercyStreet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MercyStreet)\ **Post date:** [April 18, 2003, 1:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guys-and-the-poofy-thing-a-shower-question/169532/14 "2003-04-18T13:40:07Z")
The Future Mr. MercyStreet is a complete fool for pricey bath products. He needs Molton Brown. He needs Jo Malone. I created this monster! When we met, he was an Ivory-on-the-washcloth kind of guy. Now he’s hung up on exfoliating. He regularly prances through the Neiman Marcus cosmetics section. He calls me from Marshall’s and TJ Maxx: “Mercy Street! They just got a shipment of Crabtree’s liquid jojoba soap. I bought six of them! Do you want me to pick up some of the Tom Kitten baby powder? I know how you love that stuff, and they have just four left!” He is a DEVOTEE of the nylon poof. After a long public struggle (“Here. Put this in your basket. I don’t want to be seen buying this.”), he has finally emerged from the poof closet, proudly picking up two at a time, $1.99 at Wegman’s. ---
**Author:** ![Woeg](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/df705f/32.png) [@Woeg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Woeg)\ **Post date:** [April 18, 2003, 1:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guys-and-the-poofy-thing-a-shower-question/169532/15 "2003-04-18T13:41:22Z")
Poofy things rock. ---
**Author:** ![Honeydew\_1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/e19b73/32.png) [@Honeydew\_1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Honeydew_1)\ **Post date:** [April 18, 2003, 1:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guys-and-the-poofy-thing-a-shower-question/169532/16 "2003-04-18T13:43:02Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by herman\_and\_bill \* > \*\*Nope, nothing ending in ‘ie’ sounds more manly, call it a scrubber. \*\* A scrubber is something entirely different though some men wouldn’t mind showering with one 😛 ---
**Author:** ![Kalhoun](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/3bc359/32.png) [@Kalhoun](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kalhoun)\ **Post date:** [April 18, 2003, 1:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guys-and-the-poofy-thing-a-shower-question/169532/17 "2003-04-18T13:59:07Z")
I’m partial to the scrubbie gloves. I desperately need a new pair and can’t seem to find any. They exfoliate, lather up really well, and they’re the BEST at getting eye make-up off. My husband never uses them. I think he just doesn’t know what he’s missing. ---
**Author:** ![Goodbeem](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/958977/32.png) [@Goodbeem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Goodbeem)\ **Post date:** [April 18, 2003, 2:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guys-and-the-poofy-thing-a-shower-question/169532/18 "2003-04-18T14:12:14Z")
Yep, I use the poofy thing, too (I have a neutral, white colored one). I thought I was the one. Thanks, \*\* Phatlewt\*\*, I feel so much more accepted now. ---
**Author:** ![NinetyWt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/cc9497/32.png) [@NinetyWt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NinetyWt)\ **Post date:** [April 18, 2003, 2:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guys-and-the-poofy-thing-a-shower-question/169532/19 "2003-04-18T14:28:26Z")
My Sweety will _not_ use the poof. I bought him one a few years ago - it’s _blue_ already, not pink or something - anyway, he dutifully took it with him when he moved, but it’s never been used. Except if one or two times I scrubbed his back for him, like **FCM** said. ---
**Author:** ![SmackFu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/53a042/32.png) [@SmackFu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SmackFu)\ **Post date:** [April 18, 2003, 2:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guys-and-the-poofy-thing-a-shower-question/169532/20 "2003-04-18T14:38:32Z")
I’m a guy, and I love that poofy thing. It lathers SO much better than a washcloth or whatever else you try. Plus the whole exfoliation thing. But yes, definitely girly. When are you supposed to replace them? Mine doesn’t seem to wear out in any meaningful way. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guys-and-the-poofy-thing-a-shower-question/169532.md?page=2)