Need some MF care advice

[flyinion]

So, I messed up pretty good. Washed the car last about 3-4 weeks ago now and left the damp towels in the bucket (on top of a grit guard). Never got around to washing them after getting sick and the weather turning south for a bit (so had no immediate need to use them again). Went to wash them today and as I feared some of the towels and the MF wash mitt have a musty mildewy smell. No visible spots like you see sometimes.

I've washed them once in warm wash/double rinse with Tide for detergent plus Borax and then vinegar in the first rinse and it didn't get it all out. I'm trying again in Tide and Oxyclean this time (and am now out of vinegar). If the second wash doesn't work I'd love to hear some ideas for how to get the smell out.

I'll double check again as I may have lucked out and the expensive Cobra drying & glass towels may have all been on top and I just have to replace the cheapo auto store MF's that I use for door jambs and other general purpose cleaning along with the wash mitt (micro chenille styled like the Cobra but auto store no-name).

 

[LegacyGT]

Do one wash with vinegar, then a second wash with baking soda, and it will remove the mold smell.

 

[szjalo]

What's that vinegar for?

 

[dtuna42]

Tide and Oxyclean in washer with hot water should do it..

 

[PPLd]

If the towels are clean and just want to give them a fresh smell,
try soak them in some Meguiar's NXT wash solution and also add some NXT wash soap into your washing machine.

The microfiber products will come out clean and smell nice.

 

[flyinion]

Hmm well I tried 3 washes total with Tide + borax & vinegar rinse, Tide + oxyclean, and 1 cup+ baking soda as the 3rd wash. The wash mitt still has must smell a bit so I think I'll just have to replace it. The couple of cheap mf towels that also had it I just tossed. Thankfully all the expensive mf towels are ok still. One of my two Cobra glass towels had a bit of must after the first wash but is fine now.