Woman Explains Why She Doesn’t Use a Washcloth While Bathing (Exclusive)

One woman is sharing her thoughts on using a washcloth when you bathe.

In a TikTok video, Brenda Barry explains why she doesn’t think a washcloth is necessary when cleaning her body — and why she personally doesn’t use one. She tells PEOPLE she was inspired to post the video after seeing another user share their thoughts on the debate on their own account.

“Do you use a washcloth to clean your body? I don’t, I never have,” says the 53-year-old, who lives in the Seattle area. She explains that, aside from using a washcloth to clean her feet when she was younger, she doesn’t feel they are needed.

Since posting the video, Barry’s video has gone viral, sparking hundreds of comments from people sharing their own stance on the debated question. She says that while she’s realized most people shower pretty much every day, it seems opinions on washcloths vary.

“I’m a washcloth user. Ain’t no way you’re thoroughly cleaning all the ‘cracks and crevices’ with just your hand 😳,” one person commented on Barry’s video.

“Wash cloth every time I bathe. It’s the only way that I feel clean. Otherwise, it’s just rubbing soap around the skin without washing,” someone else said.

“Yes… always use a washcloth… you’re not clean if you don’t use one…” someone else wrote.

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Barry adds how surprised she was to see the video take off.

“People love to debate, and there’s so much negativity and so many mean-spirited exchanges, I think sometimes a lighthearted debate is a healthy outlet,” Barry tells PEOPLE.

“It was interesting how even something lighthearted can draw negative comments, but for the most part, people were having fun participating,” she adds. “There’s not many people in between … you are either a washcloth user or you are not! I was surprised how many people actually thought it was ‘gross’ or dirty to use your own hands on your body. Some mentioned that it was necessary to use a washcloth for exfoliation, but I use body scrubs and skin exfoliators for that!”

Regardless of the comments, Barry says she hasn’t changed her mind at all about not using a washcloth. “I’m not anti-washcloth, I just don’t think they’re necessary,” she says. “I use my hands to wash my hands throughout the day. Why can’t I use my hands to wash the rest of my body?”