Recommend washcloths
January 30, 2019 8:16 AM Subscribe
Recommend washcloths I'd like, given my preferences.
Strong preferences:
Not too thick — I currently have some very thick washcloths from Restoration Hardware (sorry, I don't remember which line, but probably the heaviest), and even after wringing them out as much as I can, they're quite slow to air dry. Thin is fine.
Not too rough, not too soft — anything specifically advertised as exfoliating is probably too rough; anything specifically identified as a face cloth, or for use on babies, is probably too soft (but note "probably," not "certainly").
Appropriate cost vs. durability — I don't mind paying top dollar for high quality washcloths if they'll last a long time. But also, I don't mind ones that wear out somewhat quickly if they're sufficiently inexpensive.
Weak preferences, which admittedly might be difficult to meet:
A bit smaller — 12in. x 12in. seems to be a standard size for washcloths. 10in. x 10in. would be nicer.
Color — available in dark red or maroon.
Strong preferences:
Not too thick — I currently have some very thick washcloths from Restoration Hardware (sorry, I don't remember which line, but probably the heaviest), and even after wringing them out as much as I can, they're quite slow to air dry. Thin is fine.
Not too rough, not too soft — anything specifically advertised as exfoliating is probably too rough; anything specifically identified as a face cloth, or for use on babies, is probably too soft (but note "probably," not "certainly").
Appropriate cost vs. durability — I don't mind paying top dollar for high quality washcloths if they'll last a long time. But also, I don't mind ones that wear out somewhat quickly if they're sufficiently inexpensive.
Weak preferences, which admittedly might be difficult to meet:
A bit smaller — 12in. x 12in. seems to be a standard size for washcloths. 10in. x 10in. would be nicer.
Color — available in dark red or maroon.
Best answer: Seconding the linen. You'll pay more up front but with reasonable care they're likely cheaper in the long run. They're seriously great. I love them, but my wife doesn't so maybe try before you buy/replace everything in the house.
You didn't ask about this but Ikea dishcloths fit most of these criteria as well, except size/color I think, and we use them in our kitchen instead of papertowels (well, 90% of the time anyway), and they're quite acceptable / good in our opinion, doubly so for the cost.
posted by RolandOfEld at 8:37 AM on January 30, 2019 [1 favorite]
You didn't ask about this but Ikea dishcloths fit most of these criteria as well, except size/color I think, and we use them in our kitchen instead of papertowels (well, 90% of the time anyway), and they're quite acceptable / good in our opinion, doubly so for the cost.
posted by RolandOfEld at 8:37 AM on January 30, 2019 [1 favorite]
Honestly, the stacks of Room Essentials brand of washcloths you can get at Target are my favorite for being thin enough to dry overnight, and not too soft but not too rough. The only criteria of yours they don't hit is size (they are 12x12), but they don't feel that big to me. They are very cheap, but I haven't had too many issues with durability. I like that they're so cheap I've accumulated enough washcloths for over three weeks of use (using one per day).
posted by misskaz at 9:07 AM on January 30, 2019 [5 favorites]
posted by misskaz at 9:07 AM on January 30, 2019 [5 favorites]
Yeah those big bundles of cheapo washcloths linked above from Target are what I use (after they discontinued the ones with netting sewn on the back). Doesn't look like they come in red but they're so cheap you could just bleach the hell out of them and throw them away if that doesn't work.
posted by bleep at 11:00 AM on January 30, 2019 [1 favorite]
posted by bleep at 11:00 AM on January 30, 2019 [1 favorite]
Best answer: I have a stack of these IKEA washcloths for skincare (makeup removal, cleaning, applying toners). They are fine terry cloth on one side and soft waffle-weave on the other.
posted by third word on a random page at 11:42 AM on January 30, 2019
posted by third word on a random page at 11:42 AM on January 30, 2019
Try the linen before you buy. Some people find it unpleasantly scratchy. Totally a matter of personal taste.
posted by praemunire at 11:44 AM on January 30, 2019
posted by praemunire at 11:44 AM on January 30, 2019
Not scratchy but not fluffy or soft, thinner than the norm, highly durable, I recommend AirWeight towels by Coyuchi.
posted by janey47 at 12:24 PM on January 30, 2019
posted by janey47 at 12:24 PM on January 30, 2019
Response by poster: Thanks to everyone, and especially those who recommended IKEA. I have an IKEA near me so I went and compared several of their lines there, and in doing so realized I wanted something closer to the "rough" end of the spectrum - not explicitly exfoliating, but something I could get a good scrub with. I ended up going with the FRÄJEN, in black (not available in that color on the website but it was in the store) and have been quite happy with them so far.
posted by DevilsAdvocate at 6:44 AM on February 14, 2019 [1 favorite]
posted by DevilsAdvocate at 6:44 AM on February 14, 2019 [1 favorite]
This thread is closed to new comments.
I'm sure you could find some 100% linen washcloths somewhere, and they'd probably meet your needs pretty well. Or if you've got a sewing machine, just buy a bit of raw linen, cut to the appropriate size, and finish off the edges.
posted by tobascodagama at 8:30 AM on January 30, 2019 [1 favorite]