Gear recommendation: Japanese washcloths

[MichaelC]

I just realized that I have never once seen these on anyone's packing list, so let me introduce you all to the *salux, a nylon-polyester washcloth out of Japan. They are everywhere in the islands, and I'm always mystified at how hard they are to find outside of Asia and the Pacific.

Basically it's a plastic, somewhat abrasive, washcloth. That's it. They're inexpensive, super lightweight, rinse easily, dry quickly, and do not trap odors, body oils, or other nasty stuff.

They're also exfoliating, so they feel great. I'm not sure how the outside world survives without them.



* Salux is one brand. I don't even know what the proper, generic name for them is. Everyone here just calls them "those Japanese scrubby cloths."

 

[Anemone del Camino]

Wash and not dry cloth? Needless extra weight, which would explain why it has never appeared on a packing list. Water does the job.

 

[MichaelC]

I

Wash and not dry cloth? Needless extra weight, which would explain why it has never appeared on a packing list. Water does the job.

I see washcloths on a lot of people's packing lists, though they're usually microfiber towels from places like REI. These are about 0.5 ounces, so weigh less.

 

[Lurch]

Thanks...our oldest just got transferred to the Naval Hospital in Japan. I will have him look for these and give them a try. As I have only a 'chamois type' towel they will do well in getting my back clean. Even my extra-long arms can't reach everywhere. If the extra few ounces are too much I can always donate them, but I think I can hump them in addition to the rest of my gear.

 

[trecile]

I actually just bought one of those today at Walmart. About $3.50 I don't need a full size one for the Camino, so I just cut off a piece. Weighs about 0.2 ounce.

 

[Theatregal]

The salux look interesting. I always bring a baby washcloth. They're half the size of a regular cloth, very thin and light.

 

[domigee]

Interesting, thanks @MichaelC ! Will keep a look for them, must be some for sale in London.

 

[HedaP]

Ditto. I buy a lot of my gear from a local Japanese Daiso shop. Fantastic stuff. Well made, durable and mostly $2:80.

 

[Walk with Ernie]

I use my hands. Dry with a super light camping towel that drys fast. If I have to scrub I use my shirt that I wash in the shower at the same time that I shower.

 

[JillGat]

I carry a nylon net bag that contains my bar of soap (that I make myself, btw). It works as a washcloth (with the soap inside), as a way to hang my soap in the shower when there's no shelf, and I hang it to dry on the line by my clothes. It weighs practically nothing and helps preserve my soap, even when there are only slivers left. Several problems solved.

 

[SabsP]

I

I see washcloths on a lot of people's packing lists, though they're usually microfiber towels from places like REI. These are about 0.5 ounces, so weigh less.

Once found them here in a discount / bazar type shop. They are very handy indeed.

 

[Cat Engelmann]

I just realized that I have never once seen these on anyone's packing list, so let me introduce you all to the *salux, a nylon-polyester washcloth out of Japan. They are everywhere in the islands, and I'm always mystified at how hard they are to find outside of Asia and the Pacific.

Basically it's a plastic, somewhat abrasive, washcloth. That's it. They're inexpensive, super lightweight, rinse easily, dry quickly, and do not trap odors, body oils, or other nasty stuff.

They're also exfoliating, so they feel great. I'm not sure how the outside world survives without them.

View attachment 34726

* Salux is one brand. I don't even know what the proper, generic name for them is. Everyone here just calls them "those Japanese scrubby cloths."

Wonderful! I know everyone on this Camino could use some form of exfoliation. Water is not enough. I have made due without, but this lightweight product seems like a must for my future walk. Thank you!!!!

 

[Margaret Butterworth]

A washcloth (aka face flannel) is very useful as a bath mat when you emerge from the shower.

 

[mrlitoralis]

I just realized that I have never once seen these on anyone's packing list, so let me introduce you all to the *salux, a nylon-polyester washcloth out of Japan. They are everywhere in the islands, and I'm always mystified at how hard they are to find outside of Asia and the Pacific.

Basically it's a plastic, somewhat abrasive, washcloth. That's it. They're inexpensive, super lightweight, rinse easily, dry quickly, and do not trap odors, body oils, or other nasty stuff.

They're also exfoliating, so they feel great. I'm not sure how the outside world survives without them.

View attachment 34726

* Salux is one brand. I don't even know what the proper, generic name for them is. Everyone here just calls them "those Japanese scrubby cloths."

Salux is the brand that is trademarked and their cloth is patented. There are a lot of knockoffs of lesser quality that are using the name Salux. You can find them on amazon, ebay and several other sites. The picture you posted is of the official USl site according to Wikipedia (saluxshop). I love them and would rec you go to their site and read the FAQ page. Have a great day.

 

[susanawee]

The above mentioned wash cloths are a good idea and, I've found them very useful myself here at home, although I wouldn't take one on the Camino....just another piece of gear which is not really necessary inmho. A very good idea which I did notice whilst walking both my Caminos though, was the very small cloths which the Korean girls carried - they sometimes wore them as a bandana or a neck scarf - they did not carry towels, microfibre, chamois or otherwise, but used these smallish squares to dry themselves......seemed to work very well indeed.

 

[alaskadiver]

They kind of look like those loofah scrubby things they sell int he store. I use one at home but I certainly didn't bother with one (or any washcloth) while on the Camino. Even the loofah thing I hardly ever use. The last thing my soft, sensitive skin needs is scrubbing