# "White people don't use washcloths." **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [October 29, 2004, 1:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/white-people-dont-use-washcloths/271838 "2004-10-29T13:16:21Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![mangeorge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d78d45/32.png) [@mangeorge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mangeorge)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2004, 12:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/white-people-dont-use-washcloths/271838/61 "2004-10-31T00:59:52Z")
> [@Trunk](#): > > I just hire a black person to wash my ass. Yeah, and you just _think_ that’s his finger. ---
**Author:** ![Telperien](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/65b543/32.png) [@Telperien](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Telperien)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2004, 2:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/white-people-dont-use-washcloths/271838/62 "2004-10-31T02:07:02Z")
> [@mouthbreather](#): > > “But Ironhead…what’s with this thingy?” That’s what I was thinking reading this thread. What others have called a pouf, I call a shower scrubbie. I use them if I’m using shower gel. When I use soap, I just work up a good lather with the soap in my hands and wash the various parts of the body with my hands. I only use washcloths if especially in need. I do not share my soap with anyone. I used to use washcloths when I used the family soap bar, but no more, as the parents use a nonallergenic soap that dries out my skin terribly. ---
**Author:** ![Eve](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/9e8a1a/32.png) [@Eve](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eve)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2004, 2:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/white-people-dont-use-washcloths/271838/63 "2004-10-31T02:19:10Z")
> [@Aesiron](#): > > _A popular misconception is that Romans made use of a room called a vomitorium for the express purpose of vomiting in between meals, so that a person could consume more. This myth is false; a vomitorium is really a passage situated below or behind a tier of seats in an amphitheatre, into which the crowds could “spew out” at the end of a show._ Hi-hijack: I hadn’t thought of it in years, but our huge college theater had a vomitorium in front of the stage leading to a large storeroom underneath. Good for exits, entrances, and getting large scenery in and out. We used to call it the “vom” or the “puke.” ---
**Author:** ![TellMeI\_mNotCrazy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tellmei_mnotcrazy/32/3419_2.png) [@TellMeI\_mNotCrazy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TellMeI_mNotCrazy)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2004, 2:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/white-people-dont-use-washcloths/271838/64 "2004-10-31T02:25:31Z")
> [@mouthbreather](#): > > “But Ironhead…what’s with this thingy?” I have been turning this phrase over in my head for the last day trying to figure out what it means to me. I could hear it, a high-pitched, mocking voice… I could see a big black man. But I could not, for the life of me, figure it out. Until I saw the pouf in my shower and realized it was from one of the funnier commercials I’ve seen. ---
**Author:** ![pizzabrat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/e9c0ed/32.png) [@pizzabrat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pizzabrat)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2004, 2:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/white-people-dont-use-washcloths/271838/65 "2004-10-31T02:52:09Z")
> [@Guinastasia](#): > > Actually, that sounds like a great way to get a staff infection! > > I’m white. I use a washcloth-a clean one from the cabinet-and soap-soap up the cloth, wash face, then wash the rest, ass and naughty bits last. THEN, I throw the dirty washcloth in the laundry basket with the rest of the dirty towels. > > Nothing fancy. > > Damn, who the fuck washes his ass _before_ washing his face? Because that’s just wrong. I was taught not to use a washcloth on the face at all. ---
**Author:** ![Sattua](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sattua/32/11906_2.png) [@Sattua](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sattua)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2004, 3:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/white-people-dont-use-washcloths/271838/66 "2004-10-31T03:10:20Z")
[QUOTE=smartini] Puffs, loofahs, exfoliating cloths, brushes, a foot scrubber that sticks to the bottom of the shower, pumice. I’ve even got a rubber ducky in there. [QUOTE] _perks up_ A foot scrubber that sticks to the bottom of the shower? Where do I get it? What does it look like? Is it actually scrubby? I want one. ---
**Author:** ![smartini](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/22d042/32.png) [@smartini](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/smartini)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2004, 7:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/white-people-dont-use-washcloths/271838/67 "2004-10-31T07:25:54Z")
[QUOTE=Sattua] [QUOTE=smartini] Puffs, loofahs, exfoliating cloths, brushes, a foot scrubber that sticks to the bottom of the shower, pumice. I’ve even got a rubber ducky in there. > [@](#): > > _perks up_ A foot scrubber that sticks to the bottom of the shower? Where do I get it? What does it look like? Is it actually scrubby? I want one. \*\*Sattua, \*\* I got mine at a Linens & Things. It looks like a foot. A big green foot I keep stuck on the tile wall when I am not using it. It has suction cups on the back like a tub mat. It has about quarter to half inch soft rubber bristles all over it and feels great on your foot and keeps them soft. Just stand there and rub one foot all over it and then the other. I do it while I am washing my hair. I love it. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![danceswithcats](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/9e8a1a/32.png) [@danceswithcats](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/danceswithcats)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2004, 8:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/white-people-dont-use-washcloths/271838/68 "2004-10-31T08:22:57Z")
[QUOTE=Guinastasia] Actually, that sounds like a great way to get a staff infection! [QUOTE] Minor nitpick, **Guin** -a staff infection would afflict your cow-orkers, but if you wish to bathe with them, that’s cool by me. Improves office morale and all that. 😉 If you’re referring to _staph_ infections, they are indeed serious. As for me-the less I have to wash, the better. Washcloths are for guests, and those visits to the can that ain’t gettin’ it done with paper. For showers, soap and go-top to bottom. Rinse the soap-leaving klingon pubes is crass. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![calm\_kiwi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/9fc348/32.png) [@calm\_kiwi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/calm_kiwi)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2004, 10:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/white-people-dont-use-washcloths/271838/69 "2004-10-31T10:26:01Z")
I love the scrubby gloves. Put the gloves on scrub everything, leave the soap to the child 🙂 . I still say it is soap though! How clean should soap be? ---
**Author:** ![t-keela](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/a3d4f5/32.png) [@t-keela](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/t-keela)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2004, 5:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/white-people-dont-use-washcloths/271838/70 "2004-10-31T17:23:42Z")
> [@danceswithcats](#): > > Minor nitpick, **Guin** -a staff infection would afflict your cow-orkers, but if you wish to bathe with them, that’s cool by me. minor nitpick- Does she actually work in the barn or is it a field job? 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Merkwurdigliebe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/74df32/32.png) [@Merkwurdigliebe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Merkwurdigliebe)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2004, 5:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/white-people-dont-use-washcloths/271838/71 "2004-10-31T17:57:04Z")
Yeah, get real, folks What the hell is the big deal with all of this scrubbing and concern over germs, etc. Just what the hell are you guys getting into? Me, my daily showering needs are just for me to get rid of any oil that would have built up on my body over the previous day and also possibly sweat (not usually a problem though). Any contact with soap immediately cuts right through the oil and makes my skin clean. That’s all it takes. ---
**Author:** ![Sattua](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sattua/32/11906_2.png) [@Sattua](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sattua)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2004, 5:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/white-people-dont-use-washcloths/271838/72 "2004-10-31T17:59:31Z")
> [@Merkwurdigliebe](#): > > Yeah, get real, folks > > What the hell is the big deal with all of this scrubbing and concern over germs, etc. > > Just what the hell are you guys getting into? Me, my daily showering needs are just for me to get rid of any oil that would have built up on my body over the previous day and also possibly sweat (not usually a problem though). Any contact with soap immediately cuts right through the oil and makes my skin clean. That’s all it takes. Hmmm. So how thick is the crust behind your ears? ---
**Author:** ![Guinastasia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guinastasia/32/5751_2.png) [@Guinastasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guinastasia)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2004, 8:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/white-people-dont-use-washcloths/271838/73 "2004-10-31T20:15:44Z")
[QUOTE=danceswithcats] [QUOTE=Guinastasia] Actually, that sounds like a great way to get a staff infection! > [@](#): > > Minor nitpick, **Guin** -a staff infection would afflict your cow-orkers, but if you wish to bathe with them, that’s cool by me. Improves office morale and all that. 😉 > > If you’re referring to _staph_ infections, they are indeed serious. :smack: BTW, what about loofahs-don’t you have to worry about bacteria or mold breeding in the little nooks and crannies? ---
**Author:** ![TWOTfan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/9de053/32.png) [@TWOTfan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TWOTfan)\ **Post date:** [November 1, 2004, 12:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/white-people-dont-use-washcloths/271838/74 "2004-11-01T00:22:35Z")
I say no to loufahs (sp?), sponges, etc. Anything that stays in the shower wouldn’t be clean, IMO. A washcloth would be okay if you used a newly laundered one each time. My routine: shampoo for the hair, a non-soap cleaner for the face, bar soap for the underarms and, if dirty, my body. For private parts, I use bodywash – separate application front and back with a good handwashing between and after. ---
**Author:** ![Telperien](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/65b543/32.png) [@Telperien](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Telperien)\ **Post date:** [November 1, 2004, 1:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/white-people-dont-use-washcloths/271838/75 "2004-11-01T01:35:34Z")
> [@Guinastasia](#): > > :smack: > > BTW, what about loofahs-don’t you have to worry about bacteria or mold breeding in the little nooks and crannies? Maybe you put them in the microwave for a bit? I have seen this recommended for sponges, but it’s just a WAG as to whether it would work in this case. ---
**Author:** ![Lillith\_Fair](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/bb73d2/32.png) [@Lillith\_Fair](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lillith_Fair)\ **Post date:** [November 1, 2004, 1:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/white-people-dont-use-washcloths/271838/76 "2004-11-01T01:56:16Z")
I really like using a washcloth but won’t bore you with the exact details. Here’s what I want to tell you: when you go to Europe if you like to use a washcloth take one with you. In England I had to buy one at a store becuase they aren’t provided, at least not a bed and breakfast. In France (different trip–forgot to take one with me–stupid) I couldn’t find one. I bought something at a grocery store but it wasn’t terrycloth and I didn’t like it. When I tried to get one at the hotel desk she thought I wanted to go to a laundromat. In France we got one towel each and a bathmat. ---
**Author:** ![TellMeI\_mNotCrazy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tellmei_mnotcrazy/32/3419_2.png) [@TellMeI\_mNotCrazy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TellMeI_mNotCrazy)\ **Post date:** [November 1, 2004, 2:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/white-people-dont-use-washcloths/271838/77 "2004-11-01T02:04:43Z")
> [@Harimad-sol](#): > > Maybe you put them in the microwave for a bit? I have seen this recommended for sponges, but it’s just a WAG as to whether it would work in this case. If I use a pouf for some reason, I usually chuck it in the laundry when I’m done. I’ve seen them get spots of mildew after a short time. I also nuke my sponges to zap the germs, but I’m pretty perfectionistic about my sponges, so as soon as they start looking the slightest bit raggedy, I toss them. ---
**Author:** ![TellMeI\_mNotCrazy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tellmei_mnotcrazy/32/3419_2.png) [@TellMeI\_mNotCrazy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TellMeI_mNotCrazy)\ **Post date:** [November 1, 2004, 2:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/white-people-dont-use-washcloths/271838/78 "2004-11-01T02:05:46Z")
Replace the word “pouf” with loofah. ---
**Author:** ![Excalibre](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/898d66/32.png) [@Excalibre](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Excalibre)\ **Post date:** [November 1, 2004, 5:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/white-people-dont-use-washcloths/271838/79 "2004-11-01T05:10:36Z")
> [@adam yax](#): > > Isn’t anybody here concerned that there seems to be somebody watching and taking notes about what others do in the shower? > > Where do people with massaging shower heads point the stream? Inquiring minds want to know. As a boy, I just use it to rinse my skin really well - having the nozzle an inch from you gets the soap off quite well. Girls, however, use them to masturbate. ---
**Author:** ![Silver\_Fire](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a88e4f/32.png) [@Silver\_Fire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Silver_Fire)\ **Post date:** [November 1, 2004, 5:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/white-people-dont-use-washcloths/271838/80 "2004-11-01T05:34:04Z")
> [@pizzabrat](#): > > I was taught not to use a washcloth on the face at all. Me too, because they’re too irritating. BTW, pHisoderm rocks. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/white-people-dont-use-washcloths/271838.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/white-people-dont-use-washcloths/271838.md?page=5)