# Share that towel! **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [May 2, 2009, 4:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/share-that-towel/495095 "2009-05-02T16:43:41Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![Audrey\_Levins](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/73ab20/32.png) [@Audrey\_Levins](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Audrey_Levins)\ **Post date:** [May 3, 2009, 10:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/share-that-towel/495095/61 "2009-05-03T22:28:11Z")
> [@mangeorge](#): > > All this yackety-yack we’re giving you, eh. > Yes, you are missing something. > Just beg, borrow, or steal (or buy) a washcloth and try it. Then do what ever makes you happiest. Whichever you decide, you’ll no longer be missing the experience. > I love simple solutions. And I’m pretty much willing to try anything. See, I actually HAVE tried them…one of those washcloths provided by my host that I felt almost rude not using…and maybe it was the fact that I was using bar soap, but I didn’t get into the experience. I can see that liquid soap would improve the lather and thus the experience; perhaps I’ll give it another whirl if it crosses my mind the next time I’m buying toiletries. ---
**Author:** ![Kalhoun](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/3bc359/32.png) [@Kalhoun](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kalhoun)\ **Post date:** [May 3, 2009, 10:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/share-that-towel/495095/62 "2009-05-03T22:40:06Z")
We share, mostly because I never worried about it until Dr. Q (damn you! shakes fist) came along and freaked me out with the MRSA thing. Our towel rack is really more of an Old West 4-hook brass thingy. It will hold four towels but the ones on the bottom would never dry so we just have two there. I use two, he uses one. Generally, we don’t bathe at the same time, so they’re dry by the time the next person uses them. I’m going to be soaking in a solution of bleach and scalding water if anyone’s looking for me. ---
**Author:** ![Antigen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/848f3c/32.png) [@Antigen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Antigen)\ **Post date:** [May 3, 2009, 11:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/share-that-towel/495095/63 "2009-05-03T23:34:02Z")
> [@Alice\_The\_Goon](#): > > Use just a clean washcloth every time. [QUOTE=Alice The Goon] As I noted before, soap alone doesn’t kill bacteria. So, unless you sterilize your laundry, even a machine washing won’t help. I suppose they’d be okay if you did disinfect after every use, but do you really want to go through all that trouble when a good nubby clean washcloth has the same effect? [/QUOTE] Um… if washing your shower poof or loofah isn’t good enough to de-germ it, then why is washing the washcloths enough? As for the towel question - we each have our own towel. That is, we have a dozen towels, and we each pick one and use it exclusively for a couple days, no sharing. Oh, I also have hair towels, smaller than bath towels, and he never uses those. We’ve got two towel hooks, so we don’t get the bath towels confused. Hand towels are shared, and switched out every few days also. ---
**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:** [May 3, 2009, 11:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/share-that-towel/495095/64 "2009-05-03T23:47:34Z")
> [@Antigen](#): > > Um… if washing your shower poof or loofah isn’t good enough to de-germ it, then why is washing the washcloths enough? > As for the towel question - we each have our own towel. That is, we have a dozen towels, and we each pick one and use it exclusively for a couple days, no sharing. Oh, I also have hair towels, smaller than bath towels, and he never uses those. We’ve got two towel hooks, so we don’t get the bath towels confused. Hand towels are shared, and switched out every few days also. It’s why I, personally, do disinfect my towels and washcloths in the washing machine. It’s probably going overboard, but I have three boys and there’s too much danger of not only bacteria, but fungus and viruses as well. You can’t be too careful, you know. ---
**Author:** ![mangeorge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d78d45/32.png) [@mangeorge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mangeorge)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2009, 12:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/share-that-towel/495095/65 "2009-05-04T00:35:45Z")
> [@Audrey\_Levins](#): > > See, I actually HAVE tried them…one of those washcloths provided by my host that I felt almost rude not using…and maybe it was the fact that I was using bar soap, but I didn’t get into the experience. > > I can see that liquid soap would improve the lather and thus the experience; perhaps I’ll give it another whirl if it crosses my mind the next time I’m buying toiletries. Maybe it was this: > [@](#): > > washcloth isn’t ever used that fooled me. A cloth is especially nice with bar soap. But I know other people who are also perfectly happy without it. I’ve went sans cloth several times myself. Whatever you do, enjoy! 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Lynn\_Bodoni](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e47c2d/32.png) [@Lynn\_Bodoni](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lynn_Bodoni)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2009, 9:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/share-that-towel/495095/66 "2009-05-04T09:01:58Z")
> [@mangeorge](#): > > We went through the lice thing a couple times when our kids were little. The only thing that actually worked was cooperation in the timing and thouroness of treatment and washing bedding, etc. Also we had to convince the snobs at the school the lice were not from dirty poor people and that they should cooperate and admit that their little darlings were infested too. They’d try to treat their kids on the sly. :rolleyes: > We’d all be louse free in a week or two, IIRC. I don’t remember the exact treatment, but it involved more than just towels. > I’m sure cooperation between vector contol, the schools, and _all_ the families can erradicate a louse problem. At least for a while. My sister-in-law allowed her sweet, darling daughter to invite MY sweet, darling daughter to spend the weekend. SIL knew that she had a louse infestation, but I guess she thought I wouldn’t mind if MY daughter got lice, too. Delousing involves washing all the sheets, pillowcases, pillows and blankets on the bed in HOT water, and drying them on high. Yes, I said pillows, too. There’s an aerosol spray for the mattress and anything that can’t go in the washer. All humans must shampoo with a lice and nit killing shampoo, and then spend hours removing nits. This is where the term “nitpicking” comes from, combing out the damn nits (louse egg cases). Any stuffed toys that can’t be machine washed or sprayed have to live in a sealed plastic bag for a couple of weeks, no matter how much the child loves the toys and suffers without them. Lisa had hair down to her waist at the time, very thick. I cropped it off to just above her shoulders, so that I could shampoo it and nitpick it. Just to make sure, I used the shampoo and deepcleaning treatment again after a couple of weeks. I hate lice. I never was very fond of that sister-in-law after that, either. ---
**Author:** ![mangeorge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d78d45/32.png) [@mangeorge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mangeorge)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2009, 1:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/share-that-towel/495095/67 "2009-05-04T13:00:41Z")
That all sounds familiar, **Lynn**. Hassle isn’t the word for it, and the kids understandably hate it. But it does get rid of the lice. ---
**Author:** ![Audrey\_Levins](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/73ab20/32.png) [@Audrey\_Levins](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Audrey_Levins)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2009, 2:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/share-that-towel/495095/68 "2009-05-04T14:43:58Z")
> [@Faruiza](#): > > So, I’ve been taught recently that a kitchen sink sponge can be made germ free if you stick it in the microwave for a bit before each use. Could we not do the same things with implements of body washing? > I suppose there’s a ton of information out there on the subject of killing germs with a microwave, but damn if I haven’t bothered to actually look it up… Well I saw some “highly informative” afternoon talk show (I think it was Oprah’s) that said that if you microwave your dish sponge you will effectively kill off all the bacteria. Of course, microwaves only microwave water molecules so your sponge has to be at least slightly damp for it to work… But I gotta tell ya, it’s just FUN to get your dish sponge a little bit damp and then microwave it on high for a couple of minutes. It gets all fat and foamy and steaming-hot. I’m sure it kills off lots of germs, but mainly it’s just cool to watch it inflate and foam all over itself. I would assume the same logic applies to washcloths, but since I don’t use them, I just enjoy watching my dish sponge get super-steaming-burning-hot. If I ever get around to using washcloths, I will probably not microwave them; I wll just wash and dry them. Therefore it’s not nearly as much fun. ---
**Author:** ![mangeorge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d78d45/32.png) [@mangeorge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mangeorge)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2009, 3:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/share-that-towel/495095/69 "2009-05-04T15:07:39Z")
> [@Audrey\_Levins](#): > > If I ever get around to using washcloths, I will probably not microwave them; I wll just wash and dry them. I’ve just heard from the WWU (World Washcloth Union). They’re going to take you before Judge Judy for discriminating against washcloths. You will rue the day you messed with the WWU. Yes, you will rue the day. Washcloths like to boil and bubble too. ---
**Author:** ![EpicNonsense](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/c37758/32.png) [@EpicNonsense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EpicNonsense)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2009, 3:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/share-that-towel/495095/70 "2009-05-04T15:54:51Z")
I live with roommates so I don’t share towels. My towel stays hung on a hook in my room when it’s not in use to prevent it from being misused or used by others. The other roommates leave their towels hung on the bathroom wall. As for the amount of time I use 1 specific towel for, I wait for it to smell _anything but fresh_ before changing to a clean one. Usually 5-7 uses before changing it. ---
**Author:** ![Basandre](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/bcef8e/32.png) [@Basandre](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Basandre)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2009, 4:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/share-that-towel/495095/71 "2009-05-04T16:24:08Z")
> [@Alice\_The\_Goon](#): > > As I noted before, soap alone doesn’t kill bacteria. So, unless you sterilize your laundry, even a machine washing won’t help. I suppose they’d be okay if you did disinfect after every use, but do you really want to go through all that trouble when a good nubby clean washcloth has the same effect? What makes that “good nubby” washcloth so clean? The washing machine? Or are you saying we should be buying a new washcloth for every use? I guess I just don’t understand what makes loofahs worse than washcloths, if you treat them the same as far as cleaning goes. You disinfect your towels and washcloths, could you disinfect towels and loofahs? ---
**Author:** ![Anne\_Neville](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/b9e5f3/32.png) [@Anne\_Neville](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anne_Neville)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2009, 4:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/share-that-towel/495095/72 "2009-05-04T16:36:40Z")
> [@Alice\_The\_Goon](#): > > They cause staph, including MRSA, a\* lot\*- at the derm office I work in, we see these skin infections several times a week due to loofahs and mesh shower poofs. Use just a clean washcloth every time. OK, I should junk my loofah ☹ Is there anything that is safe to use that has a long handle like my loofah? It makes it so much easier to wash my back and lower legs. ---
**Author:** ![mangeorge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d78d45/32.png) [@mangeorge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mangeorge)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2009, 4:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/share-that-towel/495095/73 "2009-05-04T16:50:52Z")
> [@Basandre](#): > > What makes that “good nubby” washcloth so clean? The washing machine? Or are you saying we should be buying a new washcloth for every use? I guess I just don’t understand what makes loofahs worse than washcloths, if you treat them the same as far as cleaning goes. You disinfect your towels and washcloths, could you disinfect towels and loofahs? I knew **Alice** would catch some grief for that. Many women I’ve known love their loofahs. That’s why wanted to try one. I may still, then use it once then toss it. Or microwave it. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![TruCelt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/trucelt/32/523_2.png) [@TruCelt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TruCelt)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2009, 6:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/share-that-towel/495095/74 "2009-05-04T18:08:30Z")
Loofahs are organic, and disintegrate in the washer (and just try getting all the bits out, ugh!). Scrubbies are plastic and disintegrate in bleach. Microwaving loofahs might work, I never thought of that. But it’s also true that loofahs are a little too harsh, and actually make tiny wounds in your skin. All linens, napkins, towels and washcloths in my home are either white or “natural” cotton. They get bleached within an inch of their lives on a regular basis; towels at least weekly, sheets at least bi-weekly, napkins each time they are used. Then they get washed again to get the bleach out so they don’t start falling apart, or make the Celtling’s skin turn red. And no, I am not Howardette Hughes, I just get food poisoning really easily and have learned more than I care to know about germs and how they spread. Please wash your hands before emptying the dishwasher. And yes, that’s my toothbrush in the flatware basket, are you seriously telling me you _don’t_ wash yours?!? ---
**Author:** ![Shot\_From\_Guns](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ccd318/32.png) [@Shot\_From\_Guns](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shot_From_Guns)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2009, 9:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/share-that-towel/495095/75 "2009-05-04T21:43:50Z")
> [@Audrey\_Levins](#): > > And as a slight hijack, I don’t understand washcloths. > > What are they used for? I get in the shower, grab a bar of soap, and wash myself. With my own hands. I don’t understand needing a small wet towel to do this. I think they theoretically scrub better than hands, but IMO not by much. Personally, I use a body brush. (I want to feel like I’m peeling off a couple layers of skin, TYVM. :D) ---
**Author:** ![mangeorge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d78d45/32.png) [@mangeorge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mangeorge)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2009, 10:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/share-that-towel/495095/76 "2009-05-04T22:09:57Z")
> [@Shot\_From\_Guns](#): > > I think they theoretically scrub better than hands, but IMO not by much. Personally, I use a body brush. (I want to feel like I’m peeling off a couple layers of skin, TYVM. :D) I suspect **Audry** mifgt have been having us on there just a little. ---
**Author:** ![Anne\_Neville](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/b9e5f3/32.png) [@Anne\_Neville](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anne_Neville)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2009, 10:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/share-that-towel/495095/77 "2009-05-04T22:12:19Z")
> [@Shot\_From\_Guns](#): > > I think they theoretically scrub better than hands, but IMO not by much. Personally, I use a body brush. (I want to feel like I’m peeling off a couple layers of skin, TYVM. :D) Body brushes have handles like loofahs, right? Are they safe, or do they have the same problems as loofahs? ---
**Author:** ![Shot\_From\_Guns](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ccd318/32.png) [@Shot\_From\_Guns](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shot_From_Guns)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2009, 10:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/share-that-towel/495095/78 "2009-05-04T22:32:14Z")
> [@mangeorge](#): > > I suspect **Audry** mifgt have been having us on there just a little. Well, I didn’t think Audry was completely oblivious. (“My god! What is this small square of terrycloth?! Is it a sample-sized towel? Am I to attempt dying with the sample towel first, and request a different type of towel if I find it not to my liking?”) I was coming more from the angle of “Yeah, for something that’s theoretically scrubbier than hands, it sure doesn’t seem that way, so I don’t get it either.” ETA: > [@Anne\_Neville](#): > > Body brushes have handles like loofahs, right? Are they safe, or do they have the same problems as loofahs? I’ve always gotten the kind that either has no handle or detaches from it. (Long arms with weird shoulder sockets, so I can easily wash my own back.) [This is my current one.](http://www.thebodyshop-usa.com/bodyshop/browse/product_detail.jsp?productId=prod3630005) I tell myself that it isn’t a crazy breeding ground for bacteria because it’s got long bristles instead of a mesh-y surface. ---
**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:** [May 5, 2009, 1:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/share-that-towel/495095/79 "2009-05-05T01:00:58Z")
> [@Anne\_Neville](#): > > OK, I should junk my loofah ☹ > > Is there anything that is safe to use that has a long handle like my loofah? It makes it so much easier to wash my back and lower legs. The derms I work for would all ask you why you feel the need to wash your back and lower legs. They say that all you really need to wash are the stinky/sweaty spots- face, pits, butt, groin, and feet- unless you work in the coal mines or something. Any more soaping and scrubbing than that is unnecessary, wasteful on the soap, and drying on your skin. ---
**Author:** ![mangeorge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d78d45/32.png) [@mangeorge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mangeorge)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2009, 1:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/share-that-towel/495095/80 "2009-05-05T01:16:57Z")
> [@Alice\_The\_Goon](#): > > The derms I work for would all ask you why you feel the need to wash your back and lower legs. They say that all you really need to wash are the stinky/sweaty spots- face, pits, butt, groin, and feet- unless you work in the coal mines or something. Any more soaping and scrubbing than that is unnecessary, wasteful on the soap, and drying on your skin. It _feels_ good, **Alice**. I’m jealous of **Shot From Guns** up there with the helicopter joints. 😉 [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/share-that-towel/495095.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/share-that-towel/495095.md?page=5)