DfG Announces New Wash Cloth Policy– Please Read!

Days for Girls has announced new policy for Washcloths: ONLY purchased washcloths in kits (no more hand-made — NOT crochet and NOT knit).

GIRLS are asking us for the thinner, less expensive washcloths. Our research confirms they dry faster, are softer, and cost less to ship. *PLEASE READ TO THE END*

Responding To Feedback
One of the secrets to the value of the kits has been our dedication to responding to the feedback from the field. New feedback, along with testing and research, has concluded the handknit/crocheted washcloths are not appropriate for use in the Days for Girls menstruation kit.

• The washing and drying conditions in the field leave the washcloths hard and rough, and so they are not comfortable to use, especially for young girls.
• The handknit/crocheted washcloths also take extra time to dry because they are thick
• They have bumpier surfaces that could become a source of mildew or germs.

While we regret the need to disallow the work of many volunteers who have lovingly knit/crocheted many washcloths, our decision is to set policy based on what is best for the girls.

Please implement this policy immediately and remove such washcloths from kits which have not yet been distributed.

Days for Girls kits must include inexpensive, commercially-made terry washcloths which dry quickly, and help standardize the shipping weight on the kits (important for estimating freight charges). Time and expense are best allocated to making shields, liners and drawstring bags.

We do NOT suggest MAKING terry washcloths. In our experience, the the quality of homemade terry washcloths is unpredictable, and the lint produced from serging terry is hard on a person's serger. We need experienced sewists to help produce the components that CANNOT be purchased inexpensively: shields, liners, and bags.

Let's focus on making kits happen. We know it isn't easy to shift gears on these policies. Yesterday a sweet woman came in with a stack of beautiful knitted washcloths and a few hotel soaps and I could barely bring myself to tell her that we would not be using them in kits any more. I explained why, and she took it very cheerfully, saying she had wondered about that and her group would come to our next assembly and see what else they could do instead. Whew!

We hope you understand that this decision was not made lightly. We also know that some chapter and team leaders had already decided not to include them in kits and we commend you, and thank you for sharing your feedback from the field.

Potential alternatives for the beautiful yarn washcloths already in your care include:

• Giving donors first right of refusal for alternative usage
• Donating them to homeless shelters or global relief programs where such is appropriate,
• Using them as a knitted washcloth holiday fundraiser to purchase kit components (thus honoring the crafter’s intent).

As always, your efforts and dedication are valued and make all the difference. Volunteers are the heart of reaching girls and women, and we greatly appreciate you. We know that washcloths are one of those things that non-sewists like to contribute. Let us know if you have been knitting washcloths and would like to know of other ways you can be involved with Days for Girls. Go here for some ideas to get you started (click here)

Thank you for helping us keep kits working well to effectively change lives for girls.

With Gratitude,

Celeste