Advice - how to keep mitts/towels hot

[jtp]

Hi all - can I ask those of you experienced in either working from home or mobile for advice?

We use hot mitts/towels in college when carrying out our facial treatments.

How is it possible to keep these things at a good hot temperature when working in a room with no sink/hot water supply?

I've had some suggestions of using an electric food steamer, or slow cooker, or even warming them in the microwave and putting them in a cool bag (!).

Before I buy anything could those experienced geeks offer their views here ?

cheers,
jtp

 

[Martin Duffy]

When I've been working in a room without access to hot water I've always taken a thermos of hot water & a bowl with me.

 

[1999judy]

http://www.salongeek.com/skin-geek/41537-hot-towels.html
hth x

 

[twid]

For mani/pedi I've a big metal bowl (Ikea) which is half filled with boiling water. By the time I need to use them, its cool enough for me to put my hands in but hot enough for them to feel the benefit.

With facials I use a mini facial steamer, which can have oils added and this is fab too.

Karaxxx

 

[RedAdmiral]

a steamer is fab for this

 

[jtp]

Thanks for the very quick responses here - I'll give the steamer a go, practice on my usual guinea pigs i.e. daughter & hubby.

Much appreciate the advice; a great site for all us new to the industry.

cheers,
jtp

p.s. - hot towels - used to apply hot compress pre treatment; terrible faffing aboot!

 

[Cait]

While reading this I just stuck a dry towel in the microwave for 20 seconds - it came out hot - this - with a few drops of essential oil could be a lovely welcome for a client while you are waiting for the cuticle remover to kick in ...
Im going to do this for my hot cream manicure and wrap their hands in the warm towel while working on the other hand.
:green:

 

[hippy-chick]

if you have room for one, the best thing is a towel cabi. I have bought both of mine off ebay and they are fab. They are the size of a small microwave and have 2 shelves, you can fit about 40 mitts in.

i usually have the top filled with a variety of mitts (I use white, brown and black).

On the bottom I have a wheat bag stuffed into a sewn up flannel to provide a heat bag for clients feet/place on stomach/behind neck.

if I need oils heating up, chocolate melting, algae gel heating, then they get put in too.

It is my FAVOURITE piece of equipment that I could not do without.

Each of my cabi's cost about £70, one of them has UV.

 

[crazysaz]

i bought a hot towel cabinet frm ebay and have that in my beauty room, you can put your bowls, oils etc in it as well as your hot towels. was a brill wee buy!

 

[marioned]

i
if I need oils heating up, chocolate melting, algae gel heating, then they get put in too.

Ooohh so you can make chocolate rice crispey cakes in it too?

LOL Sorry, I know what you mean, just feeling in a silly mood xxx

 

[gattia]

Im home based and also use a towel cadi/sterilizer with a uv lamp that I bought off ebay. It is brilliant and I use the hot towels for facials, manicures and pedicures. I also use it for warming products. My clients all love the warm towels.:hug:

 

[jtp]

Thanks to everyone who's replied here.

Can I just pick the brains of those of you who use the food steamer to heat the towels.

I have been experimenting with using this on my "home" guinea pigs! And yes, my cloth mitts do come out nice and hot.

The only downside is the noise while the steamer is going, and the loud ting when it goes off!

My thoughts are to preheat the towels before I start the facial, so no noise, steam, tings and so on. Can anyone advise if they do this how long they would recommend a) setting the timer for to steam the mitts; and b) how long the mitts will stay warm from the point the steamer switches off?

jtp x

 

[hippy-chick]

I tried the steamer route, my mum gave me her old steamer which she had hardly used.

the ticking was so loud, and the massive PING! at the end was shocking.
oh, and the smell of cooked vegetables coming from it was embarrasing but I wanted to try it out before paying for a new one.