how to prepare a hot towel

chee16 · 10-06-2008, 01:44 AM

what is the best way to prepare a hot towel. i usually shave after my shower but sometimes i just want to relax and take my time and do a good job. i have never used a hot towel before so i am a little bit in the dark.

fpessanha · 10-06-2008, 02:46 AM

Personally, I don't use the hot towel often (especialy after a shower) but, when I do, this is my routine: I fold the towel in half and then roll it up neatly; after that I soak the towel in very hot water, trying not to unroll the towel as I try not to burn my fingers with hot tap-water

Then, I squeaze the water out of the towel (carefully, though...) and then, having a hot very damp towel, I unroll it over my face and wind up and relax for a bit... Hope this helps.
There are or were some books available for download here at SRP on a segment called "resources" or something... you can find lots of information on hot towels in barbering books.
Again, I hope this helps...

chee16 · 10-06-2008, 04:32 AM

thanks. i would try it pronto but i am afraid that my tap water isn't hot enough to get it really steaming. i may just boil some water and try it though.

matt · 10-06-2008, 07:44 AM

On days that I do a hot towel and have the time, I throw mine in the microwave for a minute or so, damp of course. The towels get damn hot, but if you air dry them for a minute they make for a nice long hot towel. I usually do this a couple times then when I go back upstairs to lather, just use hot tap water from the sink for the last hot towel. Or if I am not feeling lazy, run back downstairs and nuke another towel for a minute then do a longer treatment then I would have with just plain tap water.

chee16 · 10-06-2008, 12:33 PM

that would work probably but i don't have a microwave, never have.

dward · 10-06-2008, 02:08 PM

Chee, I have one but am not going to run to the kitchen to heat up my towels. The actual water temperature at the tap varies according the water intake temperature.

My routine is to do the hot shower. But by the time I do my strop lapping and soap/cream lathering my face has cooled and dried enough to require the hot towel. I don't know what lathering and another hot towel treatment, followed by re-lathering, buys me. So I don't do the second hot towel application.

gus01 · 10-27-2008, 12:28 PM

I use hot tap water. If your tap water isn't that hot, you could go to your water heater and move the tempure up. Our hot water setting is pretty high. So using hot tap water is hot enough for me. I just use a hand towel that I soak under the fossit. I really don't rinse all the water out, I leave quite a bit. It kinda hurts my fingers, and stings my face at first, but that only last for a bit. As far as the water drpping from the wet towel, I just use a towel to wipe it up afterwards.

xman · 10-28-2008, 06:24 AM

I use the hot water from the sink too. I usually lather, towel, lather, towel, then lather and shave.

X

PS 'faucet' ... GRAMMAR POLICE !!!

gus01 · 10-28-2008, 08:02 AM

details, details

2Sharp · 11-01-2008, 02:45 PM

I agree with Gus that the hot water from the faucet is hot enough. Squeeze enough water out so it won't drip down your chest and apply to your face. I do this about three times then shave.

bj

AxelH · 11-01-2008, 03:23 PM

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.

chee16 · 11-01-2008, 03:33 PM

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?

FloorPizza · 11-03-2008, 02:57 PM

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.

chee16 · 11-03-2008, 07:59 PM

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.

cabo_sailor · 11-03-2008, 08:15 PM

***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.