Now that I'm lucky enough to have running water in my darkroom (garage), I'm more diligent in washing my hands than when I had to use a closet. However I'm always worried that droplets water will remain on my hands after wiping on the hand towel. And after a few hours of printing, the towel is starting to get damp and less absorbing.
Enter... the SECOND TOWEL!
I'm not kidding: I have a two-towel regimen, like some people have a two-fixer-bath processing sequence. I keep one big and rough towel near the sink, to take away most of the water, and I keep another one on a hook near my enlarger.
That way I have a last opportunity to dry my hands before manipulating negatives, and that second towel never gets as damp as the first one.
Enlightenment.