Did my dryer kill my microfibers

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scifers67

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Hello,

I would really apperciate some help. I am worried I have ruined all my expencive microfiber towels. I have been doing detailing for a few years and never really looked into how to properly care for my microfiber's (I know it is one of the first things I should have done). I have been washing them seperatly and drying them on hi. I ran across an article that said it would ruin them if they were dried on hi. The thought of hundreds of dollars in microfibers damaged is making me not feel so well. So here are my questions,

Is there a way to see if the fibers have been damaged?

Willl they do damage to my paint if I still use them (swirls and scratches). I don't notice them doing any damage to my paint.

I have a few of just about every hi end microfiber Autogeek sells.

I would apperciate any input. Thanks!
 
Well, high heat will kill MF. In the future use the lowest setting on the dryer. If they seem ok use them. If not relate them to dirty jobs. Washing them separately is correct.
 
scifers67 said:
I have been doing detailing for a few years and never really looked into how to properly care for my microfiber's

I have been washing them seperatly and drying them on hi.

I don't notice them doing any damage to my paint.
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pro 4x said:
Well, high heat will kill MF.
Click to expand...

Well, it looks like he's proven that it doesn't ruin microfibers... Have you tested it and proven it does?

I think it'd be a good idea for many of us to put it to the test and find out for ourselves instead of of just taking someones word for it.
 
For your microfiber to be most effective at cleaning, do not use liquid fabric softener or dryer sheets when laundering.
To help your microfiber last longer, do not use bleach in the washing machine.
Avoid clogging microfiber pores by washing microfiber separate from cotton.
Jeans and other clothes that are sturdy and don’t shed are okay to mix in your microfiber load.
Always protect your microfiber by drying it on low heat for a short time or hang dry.
Cold or warm water is sufficient but for heavily soiled microfiber, hot water can help the pores expand and eject dirt.
Any detergent is safe for microfiber but clean rinsing detergent is better than powder detergent. We use Micro-Restore in the washing machine to degrease and restore microfiber.
After dusting, shake microfiber outside or hand rinse and continue to use until heavily soiled.
Drying any microfiber should be done on a low tumble dry or cool setting. Drying on warm or hot or over drying microfiber will cause shrinkage or damage the material.

THE ABOVE INFO IS FROM A LEADING MF COMPANY.

Hot water will not alter the MF. It will clean really dirty ones. High drying heat on the other hand cant be good.
 
Pores on a microfiber towel? I would be more worried about throwing jeans into the same wash load.
 
Eldorado2k said:
Well, it looks like he's proven that it doesn't ruin microfibers... Have you tested it and proven it does?

I think it'd be a good idea for many of us to put it to the test and find out for ourselves instead of of just taking someones word for it.
Click to expand...

:iagree:I've been washing in hot and drying on high (dryer doesn't say high heat, but not on delicate) for over a decade with no problems what so ever. It maybe because I have so many towels that it takes awhile to cycle through all of them. Dunno:props:
 
If they are ruined, they will feel stiff and feel a bit rough. The high heat can actually melt the MF materials. Thing is most dryers now a days do not get hot enough to actually melt the MF material. Chances are they are still fine but just use low heat from now on.
 
Well I guess ALL my MF towels are RUINED.....NOT! I use Tide or an equivalent brand for the wash on the cold water setting. I use the heat setting to dry my MF Towels. I have been using the same MF Towels (unless I wear them out) for years and have experienced no serious issues. IMO a good MF towel is just that...VERY GOOD in handling the elements whether they be good or bad.

I do buy new ones every so often. My favorite MF Towels are no longer made and SO FAR SO GOOD! They have been used for about 4 years now and are still running strong!
 
wash in warm water with an extra rinse cycle. then dry on low heat with no dryer sheet. done.
 
Detailing related mistakes some of us have made at 1 point... Or at least have heard or seen others make and are known to be undoubtedly true.

Improper use of a rotary polisher / Striking through clearcoat

Using either an acid or alkaline based wheel cleaner on aluminum wheels / Results in hazed nasty looking wheels

Applying too much wax or sealant / PITA to wipe off

Buffing with M105 in direct sunlight for extended period of time on black paint / Nightmare to remove

Getting Nu Finish on rubber & plastic trim / stains trim and it’s garbage

Using Multi Purpose Windex for auto detailing / It sucks

HF foam pads / They can disintegrate during use

AIO’s / inferior lasting protection vs. dedicated lsp’s


.....But something we’ve yet to do or hear someone tell a cautionary tale about? Ruining all of their microfiber towels due to drying them on anything above low heat. Why isn’t the internet littered with threads of noobs making this dreaded mistake? If it’s supposedly true, then where’s everyones ruined towels?

FYI, I dry my towels on low heat, but I’ve yet to see or feel the distinctive difference of a towel ruined by the dryer. And I couldn’t care less about what it looks like through a microscope.
 
I own towels dating back to 2006 that have been dried on high heat that are still in perfectly good shape. I'm not convince that most homeowner grade dryers get hot enough to harm them. I can measure the temperature inside the drum and at the heating element next time I run mine if anyone is interested.
 
If you compare how cotton towels gets after some time. They start out with softness and then they get more rough depending on the quality and some other things. Have your mf towels lost their softness and ability to souk water. Then it can have with how you dry them or they just have been used enough. I check from time to time with the cd scratch test and see if it gets scratches on it. Or if I feel that the softness is gone and I not trust that they don't scratch I toss them or use them on something else that is a harder material than paint. You can by a couple of new mf and compare them with the old ones. It's so much up to you to determind and judge if they are good enough to use on your car.
 
VISITOR said:
wash in warm water with an extra rinse cycle. then dry on low heat with no dryer sheet. done.
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This is exactly how I do mine. I'll sometimes do a rinse with white vinegar as well.

There is a definite difference in the Creature Edgeless towels I washed and dried on high heat, and the ones that have undergone the current process. The fibers closed loop, and are fatter, almost matted on the ones done with high heat. The others are almost like they were the day I received them, even after two years. I got them both on the same order. The only thing that changed is the process.

Performance wise, the older ones still work great though. No marring, etc.
 
dlc95 said:
This is exactly how I do mine. I'll sometimes do a rinse with white vinegar as well.

There is a definite difference in the Creature Edgeless towels I washed and dried on high heat, and the ones that have undergone the current process. The fibers closed loop, and are fatter, almost matted on the ones done with high heat. The others are almost like they were the day I received them, even after two years. I got them both on the same order. The only thing that changed is the process.

Performance wise, the older ones still work great though. No marring, etc.
Click to expand...

i use a dedicated microfiber wash so i don't feel the need to add vinegar to the extra rinse cycle...
 
Legumes said:
I own towels dating back to 2006 that have been dried on high heat that are still in perfectly good shape. I'm not convince that most homeowner grade dryers get hot enough to harm them. I can measure the temperature inside the drum and at the heating element next time I run mine if anyone is interested.
Click to expand...

Yes, please do and let us know.
 
Thanks so much for everyone's help. I am in the process of going through and pouring a dab of water on each one to see if it soaks up quickly or just runs off. So far all of my good ones I have checked are ok. Some of my Costco ones are not so good. I only use them for lower panels and door jams anyway. It wil be a long process but I am going to check each one. I will tell my wife no more drying on hi! Hopfully she won't say to dry them myself :)

Thanks agian!
 
I've charred some microfibers in the dryer. In essence, the strands in a certain spot literally fused into a lump and the overall characteristics of the microfiber changed. The spots that didn't fuse together remained forever matted down. So for those of you claiming high dryer heat can't kill a microfiber, your dryer either doesn't get hot enough or you are not observant enough.

I learned my lesson with heat in a dryer, now I just fluff them on no or low heat to get the fibers to stand up. Then I line dry.

I mean c'mon people, the manufacturers explicitly say don't use high heat.
 
Yup, people have drying lines. Pretty common feature in a home with a backyard (I have it, and I use it). I accidentally typed line dry instead of hang dry, though, which is what I really do. I bought several indoor clothes drying rack to dry my microfiber indoors so they don't get debris.
 
juvefan30 said:
I've charred some microfibers in the dryer. In essence, the strands in a certain spot literally fused into a lump and the overall characteristics of the microfiber changed. The spots that didn't fuse together remained forever matted down. So for those of you claiming high dryer heat can't kill a microfiber, your dryer either doesn't get hot enough or you are not observant enough.

I learned my lesson with heat in a dryer, now I just fluff them on no or low heat to get the fibers to stand up. Then I line dry.

I mean c'mon people, the manufacturers explicitly say don't use high heat.
Click to expand...

Any pics?
 
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