Thread: how to prepare a hot towel

This part of traditional shaving isn't rocket science. If tap isn't hot enough heat the water any convenient way you can (I use 1-1.5 cups in a 2 quart sauce pot). Heating to discomfort is fine, just hold it close and let the steam dissipate and then press in and enjoy. If the water is too hot then when you are done with the first pressing and put the towel back in the hot water don't squeeze all the residual water out of the towel, let the luke-warm water remain to quickly bring the hotter water down in temperature, and soak it quickly so as not to absorb all potential heat.

I like 2-3 presses, makes the shave much smoother.

so then i should leave it on for about 3-4 mins? or just until it doesn't feel hot anymore? i know these are questions that are either subjective or seem like simple details but i find it nice to get everyones opinions and then try them all to see what works for me, rather then stumbling through lots of trial and error. thanks for all the ideas.

one more question just to annoy everyone how do you hold the towel on your face? lean back and relax so it sits there? or just hold it with your hands? or what?

Hot towels by themselves have two drawbacks for me: they don't press down hard enough, and they don't stay hot long enough.

My wife has a bunch of microwave hot pads. These are "pillows" full of hard corn. You put them in the microwave for three to five minutes, take them out, then use them as hot pads on an offending body part. They stay hot for a very, very long time. I'm sure there are a bunch of places you can buy them on the internet.

So what I do for hot towels... soak a towel in hot water from the faucet while a hot pad heats in the microwave. Lay the hot towel over my face, and place the hot pad over the top. The hardest part is not falling asleep! Five minutes of this, and your whiskers will just about fall off your face with a stern look.

Afterward, be sure to set down the hot pad damp side up. The residual heat will have it completely dry by the time it cools off.

that s great idea. i actually just found a local person who makes hot pads like that which are filled with organic flax seed (i run a health food store so i was looking to retail them). she does a great job and i was going to buy one for sure just for myself but now i will make sure i get one that will serve this purpose also. thanks.

***sigh**** I don't think my wife would be very happy with the laundry if she had to put up with a zillion towels from my shaving.

Originally Posted by FloorPizza

Hot towels by themselves have two drawbacks for me: they don't press down hard enough, and they don't stay hot long enough.

My wife has a bunch of microwave hot pads. These are "pillows" full of hard corn. You put them in the microwave for three to five minutes, take them out, then use them as hot pads on an offending body part. They stay hot for a very, very long time. I'm sure there are a bunch of places you can buy them on the internet.

So what I do for hot towels... soak a towel in hot water from the faucet while a hot pad heats in the microwave. Lay the hot towel over my face, and place the hot pad over the top. The hardest part is not falling asleep! Five minutes of this, and your whiskers will just about fall off your face with a stern look.

Afterward, be sure to set down the hot pad damp side up. The residual heat will have it completely dry by the time it cools off.

Greatest idea EVAR! Im gonna steal my wifes rice heating pads and use them for this!