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In a spa, a warm towel serves a different purpose than in a restaurant. There, it cleans hands before meals; here, it marks the beginning and end of a treatment and removes oil or product residue. This results in different sizes, different quantities, and a different procedure.
The three deployment sites
- At the beginning of treatment. A warm cloth over the hands or neck signals that everyday life is now coming to an end. The effect lies in the announcement, not in the cleansing itself.
- During treatment. For removing oil, masks, or scrubs. Absorbency is more important than heat in this case.
- In conclusion. A final warm towel before the guest sits up. It concludes the treatment more clearly than a spoken sentence.
Different sizes than in the catering industry
In the catering industry, a cloth measuring approximately 30 by 30 centimeters is sufficient for hands and face. Larger sizes are needed in cosmetics and massage because they cover the back, legs, or the entire face.
This has consequences for the dispenser: larger wipes require more shelf height, and the capacity decreases accordingly. Those who take over a dispenser from a restaurant often find that the desired wipe size doesn't fit. The selection is described in the article. Warm towel dispensers: Selection and operation.
Quantities and circulation
Two to four wipes are used per treatment, significantly more than per guest in a restaurant. Therefore, the cost factor is the turnover, not the purchase price of the wipes.
As a rule of thumb, you should plan on having three to four times the daily requirement of wipes so that one set is in use, one is in the wash, and one is in the cupboard. With three wipes per treatment and twelve treatments a day, that quickly adds up to over a hundred wipes.
Oil and washing
Massage oil is the major difference compared to the catering industry. It becomes trapped in the cotton fibers, is not completely removed during normal washing, and can spontaneously combust in the heat of a dryer.
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Therefore, oil-soaked cloths should be washed separately at a high temperature with a grease-dissolving detergent. And they should not be folded and left warm in the dryer. This is a real cause of fires in laundries, not just a theoretical risk.
Fragrance, yes or no?
In a wellness area, it makes sense to perfume the moistening water. However, there are two limitations: the fragrance must not clash with the treatment product, and it must be suitable for people with sensitive skin.
If you're unsure about either of these aspects, use neutral cloths and diffuse the fragrance into the room rather than directly onto your skin. This is explained in more detail in the article. Ohibori with fragrance.
What makes the difference
Guests remember the warm towel more often than average, regardless of how the treatment itself was. The reason is simple: it's an unexpected gesture of attention in a place where it's least expected.
That's precisely why the effort for the circulation is worthwhile. The necessary equipment is located under CalmConcept, for ongoing needs, for example the Towel roll.
Products and services related to Oshibori
By the NAIPO editorial team Massage and product experts from Hamburg
Product experts, service technicians and massage enthusiasts from Alsterwell GmbH — specializing in massage technology for over a decade, with its own workshop and showrooms for test sitting.
Reviewed by David Eberst, co-founder of NAIPO
