Everyone knows that washcloths are great for getting clean in the bath or shower. But did you know that old, ordinary washcloths are actually a magical multi-purpose household item? Here are 10 new uses for an old washcloth you may not have thought of but definitely need to try!
Exfoliate your entire body
Since washcloths are a little rougher than sponges but not as harsh as a loofah, an old washcloth is perfect for exfoliating your body.
Got a “dirty” fading fake tan? Skip the soap, and use a lightly dampened old washcloth to slough it off in the shower.
Are tans even a thing anymore? I don’t know. I’m old.
Washcloths are great for exfoliating and especially for scrubbing off your fading sunless tan
Scrub away callouses
After a good soak, while the skin is soft, try a damp washcloth on your cracked heels to scrub off that dry, dead skin.
Don’t forget the skin between your toes! You’ll gag when you see how much stuff rubs off.
Wipe away callouses and dead skin
Cuticle pusher
On damp softened skin, use a washcloth to gently push back cuticles.
Got a little overzealous with the polish? We’ve all been there.
Once the polish is dry, use a wet washcloth with some soap to easily wipe off dried nail polish on your fingers and toes without ruining your manicure.
Try a washcloth to gently push back cuticles
Warm compress
There’s nothing like a hot towel to steam your face and promote relaxation. Plus it helps open your pores and relieves sinus pressure!
Dunk your old washcloth into a bowl of hot water and place it over your eyes, cheeks, and nose. Repeat as needed until the washcloth gets cold.
Just make sure to leave your nostrils uncovered, ya weirdo!
Steam your face with a hot washcloth and a drop of essential oil if desired.
Ice pack
Did you hurt yourself during your last bender? Throw some ice cubes into a dry washcloth to make a quick ice pack to relieve swelling and keep bruising at bay.
Or you can take a wet washcloth and freeze it for a few hours.
Try it on your head and the back of your neck for migraine pain or that nasty hangover.
Throw some ice cubes in a washcloth for a quick cold compress
Trivet
Use a dry or damp old washcloth to handle hot plates and avoid burning your hands when taking food out of the microwave.
Also helps keep your counters clean when used as a trivet for your dirty utensils, pots, or pans.
It’s not a substitute for an oven mitt, but it may work in a pinch. But I can’t cook, so take it as a grain of salt.
A washcloth helps avoid stains and burns on your counters when used under plates, pots, and pans.
Spot cleaning carpet
Did your pet or human make a mess on the carpet?
Dip a wet washcloth in a cup of warm water mixed with a squirt of dishwashing liquid to dab on the spot and watch it disappear.
Follow up with a dry washcloth to soak up the liquid, then vacuum. No promises on the smell though.
Use a washcloth to spot clean your carpet. Cleans microfiber furniture too!
Clean smudges off your glasses
An old dry washcloth works awesome on dirty eyeglasses. In fact, I think it’s better than those stupid cloth squares that eyeglasses usually come with.
The texture of the washcloth gives it that little extra oomph to help clear away greasy smudges. Try it right meow!
Wipe away eyeglass smudges easier with a dry washcloth
Cleaning stainless steel
Keep those fancy stainless steel appliances looking fly with a spritz of white vinegar and a soft, clean, dry washcloth.
Simply spray and wipe in the direction of the grain to remove greasy fingerprints and dirt.
For extra sparkle, pour a tiny bit of baby or olive oil on the cloth, and again, wipe in the direction of the grain to polish and shine.
Then keep those dirty mitts away!
Use a clean, dry washcloth to make stainless steel sparkle.
Dry your wet fruit
I love to eat fresh berries right out of the containers they come in. Doesn’t everyone?
But I hate how the water always drips out when washing them off.
So after rinsing the fruit, I grab an old, dry washcloth and use it to carry my wet berries to the table (or my lap) and keep it underneath to avoid getting soaked while polishing off that pint.
Use a washcloth to dry off wet fruit.
How to care for your old washcloth
You may be thinking, now my old washcloth is dirty and wet. What should I do?
If your washcloth is wet, it’s best to hang it up to dry. Just make sure it’s in a spot where it won’t matter if it drips like the shower or outside in the sun.
Then just toss it in with the dirty laundry and wash it for next time. Talk about environmentally friendly!
Washcloths are cheap, reusable, and environmentally friendly!
Eventually, there will come a day when your washcloth just gets too old.
Perhaps it’s unraveling or has holes. That’s when you know it’s time to say goodbye.
It will be hard, my friend, I know…
But the good news is, washcloths are cheap! Hell, you can buy a whole stack of them for a couple of bucks.
And now you can keep them in every room of your home!
Did you run out of toilet paper? Maybe the cat coughed up a hairball.
The possibilities are endless…
Ah… so many uses. Basically we take our old clothes and will keep them in the back of the cars for emergency spills.
I never thought of using my old washcloth as a cuticle pusher — that’s a great idea! Most of mine end up being rugs for our kitchen.
Such a good tips. I do love to do Exfoliate my whole body special feet. Thanks for sharing with us.
Thank you for these suggestions. I try to live a minimal and practical life and these kinds of tips are exactly what I need.
Wow I didn’t think of most of these, I usually just throw them in for cleaning towels.
I’ve had that more than once that I slipped when doing my nails – I will think of your tip next time 🙂
Such great uses! I would definitely give it a try.
I have a stack in the closet that don’t get used. These tips will breath new life into them.
I remember my mom. She always using the old washcloth for cleaning. This is related to her.
There are so many uses. What a great list of awesome ideas!
I love upcycling old materials / things at home. Great tips on how to use washcloth. I’ll definitely keep it in mind.
this has been one of the staples from our bathroom and serves multi function purposes, same with your practice I utilize it’s life to the fullest.
I always use them as warm compress and ice packs! Thanks for sharing these ideas 🙂
For some reason I never thought about using old washcloths to dry fruit. I’m so used to using paper towel. I am definitely going to start doing this because I’ll not only save money, but also help the environment out.
I love all of these options for using old washcloths.