face towel/washcloth

[Lt1stNCSS]

this may be the incorrect place to post this, and may seem like a dumb question, but what, in your opinion, would be the most authentic small face towel that can be carried in a pack or haversack for daily washing and shaving needs??

Thanks.

Rob

[BobbyHughes]

Re: face towel/washcloth

http://www.authentic-campaigner.com/forum/showthread.php?1608-Huck-Towels&highlight=Huck+towels

There was a whole thread about this. They work GREAT.

[PetePaolillo]

Re: face towel/washcloth

Huck toweling can be forund at your local fabric stores.

http://www.joann.com/joann/catalog/productdetail.jsp?pageName=search&flag=true&PRODID=prd2373

Linen is an option as well. Check with Bill Lomas at EJ Thomas.

http://www.ejtmercantile.com/catalog/item/7014636/7749842.htm

Both are great period solutions to your washing needs. You could also take some homespun cotton scraps and cut into square handerkchiefs. These are great too for the soldier on campaign. Hope this helps.

[Lt1stNCSS]

Re: face towel/washcloth

thanks guys, i was thinking the huck towel to be the correct type....

[Spinster]

Re: face towel/washcloth

While cotton huck is still easily obtainable, the period linen towel is underrepresented. Huck is a weave type. I'm fortunate enough to have some linen huck weave towels.

We tend to think of linen as a luxury, but the WorkWoman's Guide even calls for linen sheets for servants.

In practice, linen absorbs dampness better, dries more quickly, and stains less easily. On the march, a cotton towel or kerchief will sour easily, because it is more difficult to dry. A linen item of the same weave and weight will dry much more quickly.

So look also to linen, in a plain, twill, or huck weave for toweling....