This week’s Works for Me Wednesday tip is one that I learned from my mom: the power of a red washcloth.

When a child falls down and scrapes a knee, or gets some other variety of bleeding wound, when does he generally freak out?  Typically, it isn’t when he first gets hurt.  It’s when he first sees blood.

At that point, oh me, oh my, there is no calming him.  So my mom always kept a red washcloth in the first aid basket — and now I do, too — to be used for cleaning up these injuries.  If they can’t see the blood, the children are often much calmer, and it’s far easier to get the wound cleaned up and bandaged and the child back outside playing happily.

The most recent beneficiary of the red washcloth in our house, though [when this post was first written], was my husband!  He and my dad were installing the new counters, and cutting out the openings for the cooktop and sink.  As he pressed on the edge of the stainless steel sink to pop it into place (and test the size of the hole), it dropped in suddenly, pinching his hand quite firmly and cutting a nice gash across his palm.  (This is how I know my hubby loves me.  He has been very long-suffering through this kitchen project for me!)

While big, strong daddies may not panic at the sight of blood, it is still nice to have the washcloth available (and clean), and to know we don’t need to worry about blood stains on our regular kitchen or bath linens.

Norwex EnviroCloth*OBA Cotton Washcloths Towels – Set of 12 (Bordeaux)OBA Cotton Washcloths Towels – Set of 12 (Red)Arkwright Microfiber Cleaning Cloths, 12-Pack

*Vicki is my mom.

Updated Oct. 20, 2020. Originally published Aug. 12, 2009.