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The Kitchen Table

Dumb question, but why do men avoid using washcloths?

15 years ago

I have often wondered what it is that makes men avoid using washcloths in baths and showers? DH prefers a bath sponge, so I understand that. But when sons return home or male guests stay the night, I leave out a towel and washcloth, and the washcloth is never used.

I always use a washcloth as I feel that it allows me to scrub more vigorously and thoroughly.

So it can't be just my family. What's the deal?

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Comments (30)

bigfoot_liz
15 years ago
you know i just realized DH doesn't either lol. he uses a poof, i use the washclothes. i think my dad uses washclothes thou... ~ liz
lindyluwho
15 years ago
My DH loves his washcloths. I on the other hand hate them. Rather use a net scrubbie.

Linda
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User
15 years ago
DH uses them, so do I. I thought everyone did.
western_pa_luann
15 years ago
DH and DS use washcloths... as do all my male guests.

"I thought everyone did."
Me too.
grammahony
15 years ago
I use the net scrubbies in the shower, and a wash cloth on my face. No men in this house.
Leslie
azzalea
15 years ago
My husband always uses a washcloth. So do I--at home. We each have our own (different colors to keep them straight).

However, when I travel (hotels) or visit, I NEVER use a washcloth--just a little too creepy to use one someone else has used. And I figure that one or 2 nights of washing with my hands isn't going to hurt me.

So maybe that's the issue your guests have? Perhaps they use washcloths at home, just not in other homes.
danihoney
15 years ago
My DH and my father both prefer washcloths.
pawsitive_gw
15 years ago
I never use a washcloth and DH used to use one on his face to rinse off until he started shaving in the shower. He uses a "scrubby" on the rest of him. My DGS uses one when he has to wet his hair to avoid the "bedhead" look when he gets up in the morning. I find the soggy thing dripping over the edge of the counter after he leaves for school. I wash my face with my hands in the shower and use a "scrubby" for the rest of me. I don't wear makeup so I don't feel the need to wash my face every night. Dermatologist said I had "nice skin" so I guess I chose the right parents!
linda_in_iowa
15 years ago
I am so glad I only have body wash and no soap bars in my shower. I think it is just gross when males use the bar of soap and no washcloth all over their bodies.
casey_nfld
15 years ago
I don't use washcloths in the shower, I use a "puff"....whatever those nylon puffs for body wash are called.
susan_on
15 years ago
Both my husband and my son use washcloths. And so do I.
joyfulguy
15 years ago
I use washcloth to rinse face after shaving, sometimes washcloth, occasionally sponge in bath.

o j
jemdandy
15 years ago
Men don't feel the need to bother with wash cloth in the shower. We wet down, soap up with our hands and bar soap, scrub with the hands, and feel that is adequate and then rinse off. We do not bruise or rough up our skin unless it is warranted by an stubborn stain.

When combining washing the hair with a shower, we thoroughy wet the hair, apply shampoo and rub it in and massage the scalp, and then rinse well and call the job done.

We do use a wash cloth after shaving. Its needed to get the lather off and to scrub a bit. If an electric razor is used, one should thoroughly wash afterward to ward off infections.
Rudebekia
15 years ago
They don't seem to use washcloths in Europe. I always make sure to pack one when I travel, and I hate when I forget! They are impossible to find.
clubm
15 years ago
I use a body sponge my husband doesn't use a washcloth either....just lathers himself up with his hands and rinses.
lindaohnowga
15 years ago
My hubby uses a washcloth. I do not. I use a nylon net scrubbie. I love the rough texture...so invigorating on the skin and removes dry, dead skin.
chisue
15 years ago
My DH doesn't use a washcloth in the shower -- just when shaving. My guess is that guys grow up showering in school, gyms and maybe the service. I doubt there are washcloths there.

BTW, why are washcloths so expensive? They are much more per square inch than towels -- and they wear out faster. I always buy two for every towel.
kec01
15 years ago
The wash cloths in our house never see the light of day - they stay in the linen closet and are very nicely folded. God gave us hands - that's what we use with soap and shampoo. The only extra items in our tub are pumice stones.
caflowerluver
15 years ago
I use a nylon net scrubbie mostly, rarely a face cloth. I use that mainly to wash my "face"!
Clare
frostedc
15 years ago
DH says, men aren't giving washclothes in the military.
That's where he got into the habit of not using one,
in the shower.
Granlan_TX
15 years ago
Just can't imagine why anyone would want to bathe or wash without a washcloth....makes me go ewwwww!

My DS and his two girls were here for several days...I didn't even want to know why the washcloths weren't used...well, maybe one was just once. Ewwwww! And each one showered every day..hmmmm?
jannie
15 years ago
I can tell everyone in my house uses a washcloth when they shower by counting the number of wet washcloths I find in the bottom of the tub each day. The 2 girls and I use bathgels, our male representative prefers bar soap. And I thinl I'm the only one who cleans the tub and hangs the washcloth to dry out.
suzieque
15 years ago
I hate to be somewhere that I get only a towel, not a facecloth (which is what we call them). Sometimes I visit a friend who doesn't even own any. I don't understand how I'm supposed to wash my face. Sure, with my hands, but I need/want some kind of "texture". I don't feel clean without a facecloth. I don't like to not have one in the shower, either. I've actually bought a package of cheapie facecloths to take with me in case where I'm going doesn't provide them.
blueheron
15 years ago
DH doesn't use one, either...LOL

Those nylon scrubbies come in handy when traveling in Europe as marite40 said. The hotels don't provide washcloths. But they provide pants pressers. LOL, who uses them? And they do provide hair dryers. I guess they got tired of the power outages from travelers using their hair dryers they brought from home, even with the universal plugs supposed to be used in Europe.
peoniesandposies
15 years ago
Men don't need the washcloth or net poof to work up lather from the soap. The hair on their bodies does it, so why waste an unnecessary step?
jemdandy
15 years ago
In yesterday's post, I said that I don't use a wash cloth in the shower which is true. However, there are two excpetions ot this. 1) a wash cloth is used if sitting down and taking bath instead of a shower. 2) Sometimes in the shower, there is need to scrub the legs from the knees down and to scrub the feet.
missindia2020
15 years ago
My DH is from another country. Most people there don't have showers or tubs - they have a cistern which is filled with water; then you use a medium-sized plastic cup (resembling a large measuring cup) to dip in and pour water on yourself. You only have your hands to use to wash with. Most people don't have towels - they use a piece of fabric. It's all what we've grown up with.
czech_chick
15 years ago
DH and I both use a washcloth.
girlsingardens
15 years ago
I use a washcloth to wash my face. I like the way it scrubs off the dead skin and dirt on my face. I also use washcloths on the kids when giving them a bath. Dh and I prefer baths so rarely shower, both of us use nylon scrubbies to wash our bodies.

Stacie
jayokie
15 years ago
azzeala, you wrote "However, when I travel (hotels) or visit, I NEVER use a washcloth--just a little too creepy to use one someone else has used."

I'm curious....do you not feel the same way about towels? They are laundered after each guest leaves.

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