Draw from implied imagery using words that may seem unusual in the situation. *Consider...* # "slopping" (oneself with a towel) > Slopping myself with the towel, I gazed out the window at the commotion below. From the verb: *slop* Since "sloppy" is the description you are going for, simply use "slop" as your verb. # "flopping" (the towel) > I stepped out of the shower, grabbed the towel without looking, then started flopping it around my body. From the verb: *flop* The advantage of "flopping" is its phonetic similarity to "sloppy", the idea you are going for. # "dabbing" (oneself) From the verb: *dab* > I dabbed at my soaking wet body while glued to the TV. "Dabbing" is not in itself a "sloppy" work, but as a means of drying oneself with a towel—that would likely describe an effort that is sloppy by implication. # "throwing on (the towel) like a cape" > Exiting the water and throwing on his towel like a cape, he darted inland. From the verbal phrase: *throw on* This is a little farther from your idea, but it still works and is a usable example of what you can do. Likewise, consider... # slapping, smacking, mopping, brushing, flapping, rolling