Suds and Duds

[Shakabruddah808]

I think it's time I switched to a dedicated MF detergent. I received several new Cobra Gold Jr's from AG yesterday and wanted to wash them prior to first use. I currently use 'All' Free and Clear HE. I used half the recommended amount since it's so concentrated.

I've done the usual wash and rinse cycle, with an extra rinse to remove all residue. No luck. I'm currently on the FIFTH rinse cycle and the towels are just now becoming almost residue free. Started washing at 0600. Currently it is 1120. The scorching sun is fully out and it is now too danged hot to do any sort of detailing.

Perhaps it's because the towels are brand new and the manufacturing residues are hard to rinse out. Or maybe I'm being too picky, since there's no such thing as completely clean.
I've heard that MF detergents rinse much cleaner than their OTC counterparts.

I've also read that others have used vinegar in the final rinse. I don't think my wife would appreciate a vinegary smell in her brand spanking new front loader.

Any suggestions?

 

[Y2KSVT]

Sorry to say, if this is her first front loader, vinegar is a pleasant smell compared to the mildew smell that will emanate from the seals in the next couple of months. Wiping those seals down with vinegar is one way of reducing the mildew smell, so running a cycle with it won't hurt anything.

 

[rider9195]

I use vinegar for the final rinse as another member recommended it. It doesn't leave any smell in the washer at all either. Plus it does remove all the residue in the towels.

 

[Shakabruddah808]

I use vinegar for the final rinse as another member recommended it. It doesn't leave any smell in the washer at all either. Plus it does remove all the residue in the towels.

That's good to know. Spending half the day washing MF towels is not my idea of being very productive. If vinegar is going to help out then I'm all for it. Thanks for the tip!
:iagree:

 

[BobbyG]

I use vinegar for the final rinse as another member recommended it. It doesn't leave any smell in the washer at all either. Plus it does remove all the residue in the towels.

:iagree:

It works well, softens, and leaves no after smell...

 

[Shakabruddah808]

Bobby, I can always count on you to give me tips and hints. Too bad I can't hire you to detail my car for me when I'm lazy. *Chuckle*

 

[Shakabruddah808]

I've read several postings and 1/4 cup vinegar is recommended. Should it be added directly to the load being rinsed?

 

[DaHen]

I've read several postings and 1/4 cup vinegar is recommended. Should it be added directly to the load being rinsed?

Yes. I've even used a half cup depending how many articles I have in the machine. But I still have an old fashion top-loading washing machine.

 

[bobble]

What I do, not that it's right, is I alternate. I'll use a free detergent a couple of times then a dedicated MF detergent. If I use the free type I always add vinegar and set the washer on extra rinse cycle, same as I do if I use bleach in the wash for whites, Never had a smell, no one in my household knows I add the vinegar. I always hang dry my MF stuff and I use the cheap generic WalMart white vinegar for washing.

I'll ask my buddy about the mildew smell thing, he's the lead appliance tech for GE in San Diego county. He should have some answer if that's a prevalent issue as he's been doing appliance repair for 30 years.

 

[tach18k]

When I do mine and its not very many, I run a run the washer at warm/cold settings. I also use full load and normal wash. I'm also using the ALL free and clear. I also use 3/4 amount of ALL on the first wash. I also have very hard water. Once the wash is done I do the same cycle again. No soap.There is no suds or soap stuff on the rise cycle, I also use 3/4 amount of ALL on the first wash. I also have very hard water.

 

[Robert8194]

I am using a Tide pod thing with DP MF cleaner with vinegar rinse. I wash on sanitize cycle. They come out clean and soft.

 

[excalibur]

I think it's time I switched to a dedicated MF detergent. I received several new Cobra Gold Jr's from AG yesterday and wanted to wash them prior to first use. I currently use 'All' Free and Clear HE. I used half the recommended amount since it's so concentrated.

I've done the usual wash and rinse cycle, with an extra rinse to remove all residue. No luck. I'm currently on the FIFTH rinse cycle and the towels are just now becoming almost residue free. Started washing at 0600. Currently it is 1120. The scorching sun is fully out and it is now too danged hot to do any sort of detailing.

Perhaps it's because the towels are brand new and the manufacturing residues are hard to rinse out. Or maybe I'm being too picky, since there's no such thing as completely clean.
I've heard that MF detergents rinse much cleaner than their OTC counterparts.

I've also read that others have used vinegar in the final rinse. I don't think my wife would appreciate a vinegary smell in her brand spanking new front loader.

Any suggestions?

Having some of the same issues, super hot and humid past week or so, detailing at night. We have hard water also and the towels seem scratchy and hard if I dont use fabric softener. I will try and use the vinegar method next time.

 

[Silverstone]

I think it's time I switched to a dedicated MF detergent. I received several new Cobra Gold Jr's from AG yesterday and wanted to wash them prior to first use. I currently use 'All' Free and Clear HE. I used half the recommended amount since it's so concentrated.

I've done the usual wash and rinse cycle, with an extra rinse to remove all residue. No luck. I'm currently on the FIFTH rinse cycle and the towels are just now becoming almost residue free. Started washing at 0600. Currently it is 1120. The scorching sun is fully out and it is now too danged hot to do any sort of detailing.

Perhaps it's because the towels are brand new and the manufacturing residues are hard to rinse out. Or maybe I'm being too picky, since there's no such thing as completely clean.
I've heard that MF detergents rinse much cleaner than their OTC counterparts.

I've also read that others have used vinegar in the final rinse. I don't think my wife would appreciate a vinegary smell in her brand spanking new front loader.

Any suggestions?

I tried laundry soap but never liked it. Hell I even use a dash of micro soap to get the soap residue out of bath towels every so often.
I love to find cheaper alternatives when I can but those microfiber cleaners are the cleanest rinsing things I've ever seen.

I've found that a second rinse isn't needed and can be counter productive with our municipal well water. Those cleaners are made to take themselves and everything else out in the first rinse. Including minerals. A second rinse just puts stuff back in IMO. I've learned this from WW drying towels. They're slightly less absorbent after a second rinse than just one.

 

[Bunky]

A second rinse just puts stuff back in IMO. I've learned this from WW drying towels. They're slightly less absorbent after a second rinse than just one.

I am not sure how it puts stuff back using a second rinse that would not be present when the washer did the initial rinse.

My current procedure using an He washer

1. Wash with microfiber detergent (only because that is what I have) using hot wash/cold rinse

2. Wash again (if desired)

3. Rinse with vinegar added. I do not select a "second rinse" option on the washer but let it wash/rinse for a full cycle then select the rinse cycle again.

4. Dry using low heat. I will usually wipe the dryer down with apc to prevent softener sheet residue contamination from prior drying.

The challenge with He washers is the washer determines how much water so the more detergent added the greater risk of not being completely removed during the rinse cycle.

 

[Shakabruddah808]

After all the posts I've read where vinegar is recommended as a rinse aid for MF towels, I decided to give it a try, and lemme tell ya, that stuff works wonders for removing detergent residue.

A big mahalos for everyone who gave me their input. They are much appreciated!

:cheers: