Bathing/Face Cloths

I take several of the cheap 12-for-$5 type and plan to throw the wet one away each time we move lodging, washing the rest when we have time to dry them.

Head off to Walmart and buy a bundle of Mainstay brand wash cloths. Or check whatever thrift stores are located in Forth Worth.

Here in the Land of La I get a packet of washcloths at the 99 cent store. Travel, use, toss.

I agree with Claudia. Just take wash cloths from home. And also take a zip lock bag to keep them in.

Toss'em when you depart for home.

If you end up with dark-colored cloths from a cheap source like Walmart, I recommend testing them for color fastness. The bundle I bought (a lot of years ago, admittedly) wasn't color fast, and I was very glad I noticed that at home before the trip.

I get the 24 pack of white washcloths from Costco, use them at home until they start wearing out and then take them to Europe using 1 washcloth per location and left behind. .

I agree with bringing whatever you would use at home. I’m a bit surprised that so many are disposing of them at each stop. They dry so fast, especially on the heated towel racks. Bring a ziplock in case it’s not fully dry. You can always wash it out when you unpack at the next stop.

Use and toss? What a waste. Aren’t travellers trying to be greener these days?

Bring whatever you use at home.

I've discovered I don't need to take them and use my hands instead.

...or I use my socks. This means I get washed and so do my socks all in one go - what a time saver!

Thanks everyone. Lots to consider. I may bring a few of both.

Jennifer, I agree. Using and tossing is environmentally harmful. Recycle, folks. Walk the talk.

I always pack one of these nylon washcloths -- it weighs almost nothing and dries instantly.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004KSL96C/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I don’t throw my left-behind washcloth in the garbage, I leave it on the towel rack. The hotel is welcome to use it as a cleaning rag or however they can use it.

..or I use my socks. This means I get washed and so do my socks all in
one go - what a time saver!

That's a good tip! Adding to my collection of 'em! :O)

I use a small nylon net puff, or just my hands. Easy to keep the puff clean and dry, and easy to keep carrying it and to bring home.

I always just use a corner of the smallest, thinnest towel the hotel provides. The bidet towel works, too. :-)

I LOL about the socks! RS should put that in the "best of" category.

Is this really a thing? I was in London just a few weeks ago and my hotel had an ample supply of towels and washcloths.

I have a microfiber towel and washcloth that I use at the gym, they work just fine and they dry almost instantly. Perhaps you haven't looked at the different styles and types available now.

Years ago I bought a pack of the small light ones made for bathing babies. They wash well and dry quickly, and don't take up much space in the suitcase.

Considering it was 3 thin used wash cloths…no, I didn’t care about recyling. I did mention them to the cleaning crew. Maybe they recycled them.

Did the world end?

Happy New Years! Washcloths are a good thing to think about. We were in England this past June and very few of our lodgings had them. It sounds like texture and feel is important to you. My personal preference is for the small double-sided face-cloth sized microfiber (I think I had a PackTowel one on sale from REI with a hanging loop.) I hate to transport damp things like wash cloths. I don't have any specific recommendations but if you search on Amazon, there are a variety of camp and baby quick drying wash cloths. You might find something that looks like the texture you want. Here's an example:
Textured Wash Cloth

I use something like what Marie shared, but in a longer, almost scarf-like dimension. I get them super cheap from Asian grocery stores. They're a little rough, which I love on my body, but I don't use any physical exfoliants on my face, at home or away.

(And i don't buy them just for travel- I use them at home, too.)

These are all workable and helpful ideas! Thanks everyone for your recommendations!

Claudia: Next time I'm in Walmart I'll look at their Mainstay cotton face cloths. I'm leaning towards a couple of microfiber ones for my face that I have and will work (I don't like for a body wash cloth) and a few of the Mainstay brand for the body!

We don’t use a washcloth in the shower, but I do use one if I’m taking a bath, instead. Since we’re going to England & Wales this year, are most of the bathrooms equipped with a shower, or will I need to consider bringing a washcloth? I just assumed (maybe incorrectly?) that we would be taking showers.

Jean
I haven't run into hotel anywhere in the UK that had only a bathtub with no shower. I think that would be unusual and noted.

Hotels probably have a standing shower, but this past summer I stayed in several B&Bs and "Inns" (accommodations at pubs) where there was a tub and a hand held shower, that you sat in the tub to use (I suppose you could stand, but I couldn't figure out how to do that and not make a large puddle on the floor). We called these "telephone shower tubs". For these, I used the tub for a body wash and the hand held shower for hair washing.

Try "travel" or "camping" towels. Sold at places such as REI. They are light and dry fast. Also, I saw them at Ikea, but that was pre Covid.

Jean, I've only run in to one hotel room that had a tub and no shower...it was in Keswick on a RS tour and the guide gave me the choice of rooms...I could have the room with a view and a bathtub or a room with no view and a shower. I took the shower, lol and Ben, the coach driver had to take the tub and view room. He said he did not mind the bathtub which was good!

I found water activated washcloths on Amazon prior to my Best of Europe trip this summer and they were great! Packed up small and were actually quite sturdy. They were helpful when some of the hotels didn't have small sized towels, for spills, etc.

https://www.amazon.com/Pack-n-Wipe-Compressed-Disposable-Towels-Reusable/dp/B00T6QOZRI/ref=sr_1_6?crid=1NZCJYHYT8HIP&keywords=water%2Bactivated%2Btowels&qid=1672780309&sprefix=water%2Bactivated%2Btow%2Caps%2C139&sr=8-6&th=1

mkoleary1: these look interesting. I've added to My Wish List on Amazon!

I take one of those super thin ones made for babies. They dry very quickly and usually have patterns that are easy to see so the hotel cleaners don't take it away with the rest of the towels. We were in Italy just before Christmas and I forgot to bring one. The hotel didn't have any and I was surprised how much I missed having one.

Thanks for asking the question, Kdh! I ordered the dehydrated tiny disk washcloths, and they look perfect to have a few in the car in case of an emergency or some clean up, too.

I ordered and just received the compressed towels posted by Mkoleary1. I hydrated one and it looks great.
Thanks for the tip
https://www.amazon.com/Pack-n-Wipe-Compressed-Disposable-Towels-Reusable/dp/B00T6QOZRI/ref=sr_1_6?crid=1NZCJYHYT8HIP&keywords=water%2Bactivated%2Btowels&qid=1672780309&sprefix=water%2Bactivated%2Btow%2Caps%2C139&sr=8-6&th=1