OK- here’s the deal.
I used to try it by laying the washcloth on my open hand, soaping it up, and then trying to wash my body. For some reason, the terry surface would sort of grab my body, and my hand would slip off. So then I tried to hold it firmly, as instructed above. The problem here is if I used it in a single thickness, it would sort of flop around ineffectively. So the only way it seemed to work is to fold it in half, then in half again, so it’s now a square 1/4 the original size. This gives it some meatiness. But the holding process seems so frustrating and in the end, not really worth it.
Then I started using a loofah, which I really liked, but after a while it got funky and grossed me out, so I kind of got turned off by them. For the past 20 years or so, I’ve just been using soap. I don’t smell, I don’t have skin issues, I don’t seem to have any non-exfoliating-related problems that I know of.
I do usually use a washcloth on my face, but I can use 2 hands to manipulate it there, so it works pretty well. The 2-hand method doesn’t work on the rest of my body.
Oh- you with the face- I have the breathing thing down like a champ! 
Yeah, I find washcloths get really gross after two uses even if you rinse them thoroughly and put them some place they’ll dry quickly. One day I thought of all the dead skin cell they must hold that have been stewing on them… and got thoroughly grossed out!
(I am NOT a germophobe! Really! ::washes hands:: Not a germophobe!)
So I started going to the dollar store and buying those 12 packs of little yellow sponges, the ones that have the green abrasive side. I don’t use the green part on my skin, just the yellow sponge part. Although even casual handling makes the green abrasive stuff go away, so after the first or second use you can use it for places like the soles of your feet that need the extra sandpapery effect. After a few uses, I can toss 'em out, but most of the time I keep them for scrubbing the tub and sink.
The trick is to not rinse the soap out. Hang 'em up open, not all balled up. There’s no way that mould will be able to grow in the hostile environment of a soapy washcloth.
I always hang them up wide open. No matter if I rinse 'em or not, they always end up stinky. Bleh!
Assuming you meant acne, I’m 39 and still have acne. It’s not caused by food (ya’ hear that, mom?) but I can get breakouts from overscrubbing or underscrubbing my face. I recommend just going to a dermatologist and getting proper medication for it.
On the plus side, my skin looks years younger because the acne and medication made me more aware of sun damage, and I avoided it. 
Back on-topic: my maternal grandfather was always perplexed that my little brother and I wouldn’t use a washcloth. Still don’t. Now, my nephew thinks they’re little towels for his little baby brother, since he’s not used to washcloths, either.
I’m probably the one referred to that (still) works in a dermatology office, and in that time I have come to be thoroughly disgusted by poufs. I’ve been very vocal in my opposition to them.
First there’s the fact that soap does not kill bacteria- all soap does is break down oil and help to wash away dirt and germs using water flow. So all poufs, washcloths, and even the soap bar itself sit in the shower between uses with those bacteria multiplying rapidly. Then there’s the fact that most poufs, usually nylon, are very abrasive, so when you scrub your skin with them, even lightly, you are actually causing tiny tears in your skin. And then grinding the bacteria on the pouf into those little tears. That just grosses me out. Even putting the pouf in the washing machine doesn’t kill bacteria, unless an anti-bacterial agent is used. And also, shower gels and body washes usually have alcohol in them, which can be very drying.
The doctors I work for recommend a clean washcloth every time, and washing your towel after every four times.
Yes, to a lot of people, and some of them my friends, I seem like a germaphobe. But when you call at least 5 patients a day to tell them that they have staph, MRSA, psuedomonas, or acinetobacter, and you know that you’re just one person out of 7 in your office alone that does this, it does make you wary. Just trying to stay rash-free over here.
A long time ago, I read the same advice. At first I thought it was too much laundry. Then I looked at the size of the washcloths, and realized how small they are. My acne has improved considerably since I use a a clean washcloth EVERY TIME.
Try rinsing them in cold water after the hot. I read this about dishcloths and it works wonders. Not that I reuse them for weeks, but I hate that ‘sour’ smell that some rags can get after just one day sometimes - the cold water stops it.
I don’t use a washcloth to wash myself. I haven’t since I was a little kid. I do, however, carry one around from April to November, to wipe the sweat from the Florida heat and humidity from my face. I change them every day.
Washcloth? Oh, that bit of fabric I fold in half and lay across the edge of the sink to catch any splash or drip when I shave so that I don’t have to wipe off the counter when I’m through.