I cannot believe I even have to say this!  A washcloth is a pearl!

When I got married, long ago, I found out my husband does not use a washcloth in the shower.  What the hell!  He told me that men use only a bar a soap and their hands.  Yuck!  Why would anyone not want a barrier between their hands and their grime!  But, what do I know about men and their shower habits?

When my boys got older and started showering by themselves, I insisted on a loofah.  It was a compromise between their hands and a washcloth.  A loofah.  What a weird name for a weird product.  To me, a loofah looks like something useful to scrub the sink and the tub.  Plastic on your privates?  Did someone really make millions inventing the stupid loofah?

Last semester my son came home from college with a fungus on his back.  It was from wrestling on his fraternity’s family room carpet.  Gross!  When I  found out, I was yelling around the house, “Washcloth! This would not have happened if you used a washcloth!”  Washcloth!  Washcloth!  With my strong Chicago accent, I sounded like the AFLAC duck!  I must admit, I did have them thinking.

Then, last week, I was watching an episode of “The Neighbors.”  It is a TV comedy about a white couple who moved into a black neighborhood.  The black neighbor lady offered the white neighbor lady a washcloth to use in her shower.  The white neighbor lady said that white women do not use washcloths!  The black lady was appalled!  I was stunned, confused.  My world was rocked.

I clearly do not understand the history of the washcloth.  I have no idea who uses them or how they came to be.  But there is one thing I know for sure.  Whether you are a man or a woman, a boy or a girl, black or white, rich or poor, hairy or bald – a washcloth is good idea.  The friction of the terry cloth helps remove the coodies on your body.  A hand is inadequate.  Your belly-button, behind your ears, and butt crack will thank you!

Common sense and a pearl!