Washing MF towels

[Wheelzntoys]

http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum...id-finish-how-clean-your-car-microfibers.html

I soak, pre wash, wash and use vinegar in the rinse cycle.

I've used Tide Free and Clear in the past, now it's Wolfgang cleaner.

 

[DetailTrail]

Has anyone noticed a difference in cleaning abilities when using Wolfgang/Blackfire/Chemical Guys or other brand microfiber cleaners verses regular washer machine detergent?

Is it worth getting a microfiber cleaner instead? If anyone could explain their experience. It would be greatly appreciated! Thanks

Yes I've wondered the same thing, with BF/CGs so I'm using BF with new towels & CGs with dirty ones till I notice a diff. I tried a cheaper Gal.brand
it made my towels crunchy, but from what I see, micro cleaners are removing the chemicals & smell, plus no softeners.

 

[Tex]

I have been cleaning as following:
- Tatty towels (wheels, engine, exhaust, rubber cleaning, wash mitts) with regular tide in wash and DP Microfiber cleaner in the bleach compartment (of course setting the machine for a bleach cycle), which means they get washed twice, dry on low heat
- Interior, drying towels, glass towels with DP, dry on low heat
- Paint (polish, wax, QD) with DP, dry on low heat

I have been very happy with the DP (now probably BF) product, towels come out clean with only exception being those that start super dirty and had to throw very few of them.

 

[cleanmycorolla]

Not high heat though

I always dry mine at the lowest setting possible. Low heat as gentle as possible. Heat will ruin them.

you can absolutely use medium heat and heat on your towels. plenty of people do, its discussed a ton and i've been doing it for years, never seen towel melt.

Ask cardaddy, the king of towels or search, lots of people use heat medium or high and the towels are fine.

IGNORANTLY?????

Say WHAT ? ! ? ! ? !!!!

Pray tell... WHERE did you hear such a thing?


As for how long it takes to dry a load.
Well that depends on how many you're drying, what GSM and the like.
For me... I tend to wash and dry at least 25~40 at a time. Drying takes a LOT longer than washing.


Unless you have a thermonuclear dryer... even high heat isn't going to hurt your towels.

Medium is what you should be using, on even the most delicate towels imho.
Then again.... what do I know about towels.
I mean, ME? Microfiber TOWELS? Shhhhhh... say it ain't so. :laughing:


You'll more likely end up with worse towels from tumbling them around wet and never drying them than actually getting them dry and moving on.

 

[1957VwBeetle]

Yes I've wondered the same thing, with BF/CGs so I'm using BF with new towels & CGs with dirty ones till I notice a diff. I tried a cheaper Gal.brand
it made my towels crunchy, but from what I see, micro cleaners are removing the chemicals & smell, plus no softeners.

Thanks for the response! Do you notice if the BF/CG's brand removes more stains/dirt then a regular washer detergent? Do you feel it does a better job cleaning the towels?

I've always washed my microfiber on my Eco warm setting with regular washer detergent (gain) and have not been happy with them removing normal dirt and stains from my Glass or interior towels. Of course I always air dry and use no fabric softener or fabric sheet.

 

[cleanmycorolla]

Thanks for the response! Do you notice if the BF/CG's brand removes more stains/dirt then a regular washer detergent? Do you feel it does a better job cleaning the towels?

I've always washed my microfiber on my Eco warm setting with regular washer detergent (gain) and have not been happy with them removing normal dirt and stains from my Glass or interior towels. Of course I always air dry and use no fabric softener or fabric sheet.

yeah don't use Gain, use Blackfire its a great detergent, or 3D can't go wrong. If you have an HE machine use wolfgang!

 

[pheerix]

If you have the time and space to hang dry I would recommend it. Would you rather A) hang dry knowing there is no possibility of damaging the towels but takes longer or B) machine dry convenience but there potentially could be long term ill effects.

 

[expdetailing]

I believe I have a reasonable and effective method developed.
1: DO NOT EVER mix glass towels with other towels. Do not mix linting glass towels with non-linting glass towels.
This prevents streaking from substances found on non-glass towels, and minimizes lint on glass. Preferably, use MF detergent.
2: Store glass towels in a plastic bag.
3: Towels used on wheels and tires should be dedicated and never washed with other towels.
4: MF detergent isn't required, but preferred.

 

[rodneypierce]

guys, heat from the dryer will not hurt your towels.. hasnt anyone ever heard of boiling them to remove stubborn waxes or bring back old towels to like new?

 

[expdetailing]

guys, heat from the dryer will not hurt your towels.. hasnt anyone ever heard of boiling them to remove stubborn waxes or bring back old towels to like new?

I've never done that. Perhaps they feel softer because boiling them removes any crunchy residue?
I've heard it explained like this: The fibers' ends are like thin little strip of plastic grocery bags and will become brittle with too much heat and cause fracturing. I dunno..

 

[1957VwBeetle]

yeah don't use Gain, use Blackfire its a great detergent, or 3D can't go wrong. If you have an HE machine use wolfgang!

Thanks cleanmycorolla! Yes I have a HE machine so I'll give the Wolfgang cleaner a try! Thanks guys!

 

[Mantilgh]

I like using drier tumbler balls in with my interior cleaning towels. I believe it helps remove some of the leftover lint that they pickup while cleaning. To me that's and added benifit of running through the drier.

 

[derass]

Which washer machine is better top or front loader?

I wouldn't recommend an HE machine. They use so little water that I doubt it would do a good job of removing wax and such.

I wouldn't recommend drying them in the dryer as it may wreck the fibers. Just hang them to dry

I use the dryer on low heat to dry the towels about half-way, then hang them up until they're completely dry.

i wash all my good microfibers together except for the ones that are used for wheels, engines, etc., which get washed in a separate load.

I do the same but I've got one concern. I've got a few good MFs that I carry around in the car to remove bird droppings as they happen. Should these be thrown in with towels that are dedicated to polish and wax that stay much cleaner? I don't want to put those good towels that touch the paint in with my general purpose ones either.

 

[Eldorado2k]

IME towels dryed on low heat in the dryer turn out softer than letting them air dry. No doubt about it.
Another thing: Don't even think about "hand washing" your microfiber towels and achieving great results.. Just like hand polishing your car, you cannot equal what the machine can do.

 

[Jomax]

I wouldn't recommend an HE machine. They use so little water that I doubt it would do a good job of removing wax and such.



I use the dryer on low heat to dry the towels about half-way, then hang them up until they're completely dry.



I do the same but I've got one concern. I've got a few good MFs that I carry around in the car to remove bird droppings as they happen. Should these be thrown in with towels that are dedicated to polish and wax that stay much cleaner? I don't want to put those good towels that touch the paint in with my general purpose ones either.

I'd wash those separate. To clean for rim/dirty towels. But to dirty to wash with polishing m/paint towels.

 

[Eldorado2k]

Polish & compound/ Quik detailer & waterless wash & wax/ All purpose & door jambs and interior/ Wheels.

 

[kecko]

I always separate my towels. 1) Exterior 2) Interior 3) Wheels / Jams/ Engine. 4) Wash mitts

I use 3D Towel Kleen and like it allot since it's low suds. Since I bought a new house I began using a HE washer and haven't noticed any negative change in towel cleanliness. I usually set it on a heavy duty load + extra rinse.

When I dry, everything goes on low heat for 5 minutes then hung to dry. Once completely dry, I, fluff again on low for 5 minutes...fold...then store.

My wife wishes I paid this much attention to all the loads in the washer.

 

[VISITOR]

I do the same but I've got one concern. I've got a few good MFs that I carry around in the car to remove bird droppings as they happen. Should these be thrown in with towels that are dedicated to polish and wax that stay much cleaner? I don't want to put those good towels that touch the paint in with my general purpose ones either.

soak them in a bucket with a little apc and then massage out any contamination before putting it in a wash load with the good microfibers...

 

[CanyonCarver]

Been using laundry detergent and noticing towels still had whatever smell of last product used and felt kinda ruff.

Got some wolfgang microfiber cleaner and difference is drastic.

No more smells, more soft than when I bought them. My oldest almost retired ones are basically renewed.

Glad to find products that really work!

 

[pheerix]

The Wolfgang is pricey but I find it does perform better than regular laundry detergent, Micro Restore, and 3D Towel Kleen