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Housekeeping

Find cleaning advice from other Mumsnetters on our Housekeeping forum.

Original poster

What do you do with flannels?

59 replies

Bumperlicious · 09/01/2011 19:48

Do you reuse them? What do you to with them in between & what do you do with them when they are ready to go in the laundry but still wet? Hoping for some innovative solution :)

OP posts:
bibbitybobbityhat · 09/01/2011 19:50

The dc use flannels to wash their faces.

They get used for about 3 days.

Then hung on the lower reaches of the heated towel rail in the bathroom to dry.

Then put in the laundry basket.

Then washed at 60 with the sheets or towels.

Hth.

deemented · 09/01/2011 19:51

I only ever use flannels as boosters in DS3's nappies Blush

UniS · 09/01/2011 19:52

Depends on what they were first used for... Dump them in the bath normally.

they get chucked in first available wash load so seldom in bath more than 48 hours.

I have LOTS of flannels and they are jolly useful. Wiping condensation off windows, washing child, washing bits of adult, mopping up spills... Some have been demoted to dedicated cleaning cloths for Stove window and conservatory windowsills.

NorbertDentressangle · 09/01/2011 19:54

What bibbity said.

When clean they are kept in the laundry cupboard in the bathroom with the towels and sheets.

When the DC were little we used have some in the kitchen drawer too that were used after meals to clean up their hands and faces

whomovedmychocolate · 09/01/2011 19:54

Used once and washed.

CottageFrog · 09/01/2011 20:14

If flannels are used here, they are washed afterwards. I could not stand the thought of them being used for several days. I suppose though, it does depend on what you are washing Wink

expatinscotland · 09/01/2011 20:16

Use once and wash.

Ragwort · 09/01/2011 20:18

Must be a slut as I use a flannel daily (only on face Grin) but only wash it about a once a week (hurridly rushes to put it in the wash...)

TheMonster · 09/01/2011 20:19

I use my flannel for my face only, and like Ragwort, for about a week before they go into a hot wash with the towels.

bibbitybobbityhat · 09/01/2011 20:20

The level of prissiness on Mn astounds me sometimes.

TheMonster · 09/01/2011 20:23

me? prissy? no way!

onepieceoflollipop · 09/01/2011 20:23

Use once and then wash. If I am not doing a wash that day I rinse them out, wring out well and hang on airer so they dry.

I hate the smell of damp/mildewy flannel in a bathroom.

We have face flannels that are used after meals on children. I occasionally use one to wash my face at night (find the warm water really soothing). And the dds use them in the bath as well.

TheMonster · 09/01/2011 20:23

I hate that damp smell too, but they never get to that stage.

Original poster
Bumperlicious · 09/01/2011 20:26

Even if you only use them once where do you put them before you wash them?

OP posts:
peachybums · 09/01/2011 20:27

We have a small basket next to the sink in the bathroom with clean ones in, i use them for cleaning up DD2 and the other two use them to wash after meals etc. They use them once then get thrown in the wash with towels

TheMonster · 09/01/2011 20:28

I put them on the side of the bath until they go for a wash, when they get chucked on top of the washing mountain pile on the landing.

onepieceoflollipop · 09/01/2011 20:28

Bumper I wring them out and hang them to air/dry. Then put for laundry as normal. I don't put damp towels or flannels in the laundry basket unless I am about to put a wash on.

BertieBotts · 09/01/2011 20:32

I have loads but hardly ever use them because I hate the smell of damp flannel too and they never seem to dry quickly enough to avoid it, wherever I hang them.

If I have a damp one I tend to fling it straight into the washing machine, but my bathroom is next to the kitchen so it's not very far to go. Invariably the next wash I'm doing is a normal 40 wash so I end up taking it out again but at least it's dry by then.

Geepers · 09/01/2011 20:33

Use once and wash, same for towels and tea towels.

RenniesFromHeaven · 09/01/2011 20:37

Erm... wash them when I remember...

DH was poorly with a bout of heinous manflu a few weeks ago. He asked for a flannel for his head.

I got one for him.

But I didn't tell him what the kids were washing with it the day before.

TheMonster · 09/01/2011 20:47

I put mine by the fire until they are nearly dry, then tumble them until dry and they don't smell.

WimpleOfTheBallet · 09/01/2011 20:50

We use them once...they stink otherwise. Once used I bring them down and put them straight in the washing machine...they get washed with the next load. Doesn't matter i they go in with coloureds...they're flannels so I don't mind if they go pink or whatever.

lovelyopaque · 09/01/2011 20:50

They are fantastic for exfoliating my face! I chuck them in the wash when damp as they are going to get washed and become more damp. Am a bit Confused about why you would dry them before putting in wash.

onepieceoflollipop · 09/01/2011 20:53

opaque, sometimes I might not be doing a wash for a day or two, but I don't re use flannels. I prefer not to leave them soaking wet/scrunched up in bathroom or whatever as they start to smell.

So I don't deliberately dry them before washing, only if the washing machine won't be on for a day or two. If I am doing a wash straightaway, they go in wet straight from the bathroom.

lovelyopaque · 09/01/2011 20:55

Ok, makes sense. But fear I am careless about these things.