If one of us has to fold, I'd prefer it be the Salux Nylon Cloth
July 23, 2015 7:57 AM   Subscribe

Origami aficionados of MeFi: please help me fold a Salux Nylon Cloth into a comfortable washing mitt!

Influenced by the Salux Nylon Cloth enthusiasts here, I got one. I thought (that when not doing my back) I'd be able to wind it around my hand and use it as a washing mitt. Turns out it's too wide for that (and there are indications it won't take well to being cut up) and using it bunched up in my hand takes all the fun out of scrubbing.

Given its large size - 11.5 by 35.5 inches (29 by 90 cm) - I'm sure someone good at folding could find a way to fold it into a comfortable mitt (that lets me scrub with the cloth stretched in the palm of my hand). Thing is I SUCK at folding (I tried the origami cup and it fell apart). Please help me find a way to fold it into a mitt!
posted by mirileh to Clothing, Beauty, & Fashion (8 answers total) 4 users marked this as a favorite
 
I would fold it in half at least once, maybe twice, to start. Then wrap the short side around your hand so that the overlap/opening is on the palm. Fold up the long tube and tuck it under the palm. Like so.(scroll down)

Be advised, this will work poorly at best.
posted by SLC Mom at 8:25 AM on July 23, 2015


Sorry to not answer the question as asked, but have you rejected the idea of sewing it into a mitt? Probably not by machine, I think it's too thick and bouncy and weird for that, but easy enough to do by hand?
posted by HotToddy at 8:26 AM on July 23, 2015 [1 favorite]


Response by poster: HotToddy, if I sew it by hand, I won't be able to scrub my back
posted by mirileh at 8:29 AM on July 23, 2015


You could try sewing just one end into a pocket, so you still have most of the length for your back. Then when you want to scrub your front, fold the rest of towel, tuck it inside the pocket, and then stick your hand in.

What I do though, I use a similar Korean italy towel and what I found works best is bunching up about two thirds of the towel and then wrapping the rest of it around smoothly to make a bundle about the size of your fist. It's easy to hold, and when you grab the bundle, it sorta stretches out the scrubbing side to get the right tension to get aaaaaallllll that grody dead skin off.

I have also used these little mitts, I don't think they work as well though, kept slipping around and because it was less cushy, every once in a while I would accidentally overdo it on one spot and scrape myself.
posted by yeahlikethat at 8:33 AM on July 23, 2015


Ohhh, I see, you want to be able to use it both ways. I do basically what yeahlikethat does, but if you're attached to the idea of an actual mitt then I think sewing a pocket in one end and stuffing or folding the rest in there would be the perfect solution.
posted by HotToddy at 9:41 AM on July 23, 2015


I imagine you could do a furoshiki tie similar to "Hand Carry Bag 2" on this page, assuming it's flexible enough to be tied in a knot.
posted by tchemgrrl at 10:00 AM on July 23, 2015


I would supplement with an italy mitt (8 for $5!) if it's really important to get the single-layer effect, but I just sort of hold the towel across my hand, pinning it with my thumb, or fold it over once or twice and do that.
posted by Lyn Never at 10:09 AM on July 23, 2015


What you could do is fold it in half then again. Next fold it in the other direction, creating an 8-1/2 by 5-1/2 rectangle. The one I just folded to try, I would sew the long side closed, but you may prefer the shorter side. Then (assuming you don't have a sewing machine or a serger, if you do, use that instead), hand sew it along three edges, leaving open the part where your hand will go. Use strong thread. You will end up w/ a lot of edges showing, so you could sew those layers together too, but only before the final folding so you can get your hand in. (Sometimes I suck at describing sewing verbally, sorry if that is nonsensical.) Machine washing will mangle it so that's a negative aspect, but you will have a mitt.

I fold my Salux cloth in half, apply some shower gel to the middle, and bunch it up a bit. I've thought about cutting mine in half and serging the cut edges, because like you, I know it won't take well to cutting. But then I wouldn't be able to scrub my back w/it, which is one of the most awesome uses of it.

Salux cloths are the BOMB, I cannot live without them. They approach having magical properties imho. As far as not being able to scrub your back, maybe get a second one for that. They're dirt cheap for magic washcloths.
posted by RichardHenryYarbo at 10:49 AM on July 23, 2015


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