Soap Retaining Washcloth

Abstract

A soap retaining washcloth includes a front panel affixed to a rear panel along a lower edge and opposing lateral sides of each of the front panel and the rear panel defining a pocket having an open upper end. The pocket is dimensioned to receive a bar of soap therein. Each of the front panel and the rear panel include a plurality of layers each having a moisture absorbent layer, a bactericidal material layer, and an abrasive material layer. The soap retaining washcloth also includes a fastener disposed on the open upper end of the pocket that includes a zipper, a drawstring, a spring-biased toggle selectively movable along the drawstring, and a complementary hook and loop fastener. The abrasive material layer is made of a sponge, a terrycloth, or a loofah made of mesh.

I claim: 
     
         1 . A soap retaining washcloth, comprising:
 a front panel affixed to a rear panel along a lower edge and opposing lateral sides of each of the front panel and the rear panel defining a pocket having an open upper end;   wherein the pocket is dimensioned to receive a bar of soap therein;   wherein each of the front panel and the rear panel include a plurality of layers; and   wherein the plurality of layers includes a moisture absorbent material layer, a bactericidal material layer, and an abrasive material layer.   
     
     
         2 . The soap retaining washcloth of  claim 1 , wherein the moisture absorbent material layer is directly disposed on an interior surface of each of the front panel and the rear panel. 
     
     
         3 . The soap retaining washcloth of  claim 1 , wherein the bactericidal material layer is directly disposed between the absorbent material layer and the abrasive material layer. 
     
     
         4 . The soap retaining washcloth of  claim 3 , wherein the bactericidal material layer includes a plurality of metallic nanoparticles distributed therethrough. 
     
     
         5 . The soap retaining washcloth of  claim 3 , wherein the bactericidal material layer is impregnated with a material selected from the group consisting of a disinfectant, an antiseptic, or an active bactericidal substance. 
     
     
         6 . The soap retaining washcloth of  claim 1 , further comprising a fastener disposed on the open upper end of the pocket. 
     
     
         7 . The soap retaining washcloth of  claim 6 , wherein the fastener includes a zipper having a first zipper portion disposed on an upper edge of the front panel and a second zipper portion disposed on an upper edge of the rear panel, wherein the first zipper portion removably secures to the second zipper portion. 
     
     
         8 . The soap retaining washcloth of  claim 7 , wherein the zipper provides a watertight seal when in a first closed configuration such that water is forced to pass through only the front panels and the rear panels. 
     
     
         9 . The soap retaining washcloth of  claim 6 , wherein the fastener includes a drawstring disposed about the open upper end, wherein the drawstring selectively closes the open upper end when actuated. 
     
     
         10 . The soap retaining washcloth of  claim 9 , wherein the drawstring is disposed within a channel defined through the open upper end of the pocket. 
     
     
         11 . The soap retaining washcloth of  claim 9 , further comprising a spring-biased toggle selectively movable along the drawstring, wherein the spring-biased toggle retains the open upper end in a second closed configuration. 
     
     
         12 . The soap retaining washcloth of  claim 6 , wherein the fastener includes a complementary hook and loop fastener disposed on the interior surface of each of the front panel and the rear panel along an upper edge thereof. 
     
     
         13 . The soap retaining washcloth of  claim 12 , wherein the complementary hook and loop fasteners extend along an entirety of the interior surface of each of the front panels and the rear panels, such that an entirety of the open upper end is secured together. 
     
     
         14 . The soap retaining washcloth of  claim 1 , further comprising a loop affixed to an upper edge of the pocket. 
     
     
         15 . The soap retaining washcloth of  claim 1 , further comprising a hook affixed to an upper edge of the pocket. 
     
     
         16 . The soap retaining washcloth of  claim 1 , wherein the abrasive material layer is made of a sponge. 
     
     
         17 . The soap retaining washcloth of  claim 1 , wherein the abrasive material layer is made of terrycloth. 
     
     
         18 . The soap retaining washcloth of  claim 1 , wherein the abrasive material layer is made of a plurality of folded fabric members defining a loofah. 
     
     
         19 . The soap retaining washcloth of  claim 18 , wherein the plurality of folded fabric members comprises a mesh. 
     
     
         20 . The soap retaining washcloth of  claim 1 , wherein the pocket is 2 inches wide by 4 inches long to accommodate the bar of soap.