How to clean microfiber towels

[river]

How do you clean a well used microfiber towel so it's clean for next use?

Thanks.

[Ryan L.]

Re: How to clean microfiber towels

Wash the towel with your other microfiber towels on HOT.

No fabric softener.

Dry on normal, or fluff or air dry.

Ryan

[Lexus Guy04]

Re: How to clean microfiber towels

There are SEVERAL threads on this topic that have a lot of useful information including specific techniques a lot of us have found work best. Just do a search.

[roushstage2]

Re: How to clean microfiber towels

Basically:

1. Wash hot, detergent APC mix.
2. Dry with heat.
3. Fold.
4. Enjoy.

Tips for washing:
If you have the washer set to a full load water level (what I always use as it really isn't that much more water and usually measurements are based on a full load anyways so it makes it easier), use about a 1/2 detergent lid/cup full of detergent and about a cup of APC. I give the APC a 1, 2, 3 pour. I use the 1/2 gallon Simple Green bottles for this. After the initial washing, keep running rinse cycles until there is no soap at the top and on that rinse cycle, add a cup of white vinegar. Once you get the mix of detergent down, you should only need one, maybe two rinse cycles. Use too much and you may be running many, many rinse cycles. Go from there. No fabric softener or bleach.

Tips for drying:
No drier sheets (i.e.- just dry the towels with no drier additives).

[roushstage2]

Re: How to clean microfiber towels

I think from now on, I'm just quoting my above post, lol.

[Bunky]

Re: How to clean microfiber towels

I think from now on, I'm just quoting my above post, lol.

As Lexus Guy 04 says, there are a lot of good posts on how to clean microfiber. Your technique would not work with a front loader since the machine controls the water used. If you have hard water, you may have to add a bit more detergent but usually less is better and just do a pre-soak (like spray spots with APC) and wash longer.

I have used Tide and Woolite but I did get some dedicate mf cleaner in trade and it seemed to work too (just 2 oz for 1/2 load). In my experience, if you need vinegar you are probably using too much detergent. I just get by with a second rinse.

[Carfire]

Re: How to clean microfiber towels

I do not wash mine on hot, because then the colors bleed. Otherwise I just put them in and add detergent and no fabric softener.

[akimel]

Re: How to clean microfiber towels

A fellow MOL member, dftowel (Leo), who seems to know a lot about microfiber towels, recommends the following:

"Proper care is simple:
Wash after every use as soon as possible, don't let them sit for a week or two.
Use HOT water
Use liquid detergent, I recommend ERA
No bleach or fabric softeners
HOT dryer, no softener sheets (your towels will not melt)"

After reading Leo's instructions, I have begun to use hot water fearlessly. The rationale is that hot water is necessary to effectively clean the towels of grease, wax, and silicone.

However, I still dry my towels in the drier on "delicate" setting.

[roushstage2]

Re: How to clean microfiber towels

As Lexus Guy 04 says, there are a lot of good posts on how to clean microfiber. Your technique would not work with a front loader since the machine controls the water used. If you have hard water, you may have to add a bit more detergent but usually less is better and just do a pre-soak (like spray spots with APC) and wash longer.

I have used Tide and Woolite but I did get some dedicate mf cleaner in trade and it seemed to work too (just 2 oz for 1/2 load). In my experience, if you need vinegar you are probably using too much detergent. I just get by with a second rinse.

I'm aware. I have posted in a lot of those threads. I guess I'm confused a bit on the front loader thing, as all machines control the amount of water used based on what size load you are selecting? If you have hard water (which I do where I wash all of my towels), I wouldn't use more. The hard water makes it a PITA to wash the detergent out. The APC rinses out much more easily than the detergent which is why you'd want to use less detergent and replace it with APC.

The point of the vinegar is to remove any remaining soap residue. I use it more as a just because since it is so cheap and just to make sure all of the soap is gone. That is why you have to keep rinsing until there isn't any soap at the top and don't overuse the detergent (another reason I say to use less).

[jfelbab]

Re: How to clean microfiber towels

I use Tide HE at 1/4 strength in my Maytag front loader.

The nice thing about adding vinegar to the rinse cycle is that it acts as a natural fabric softener and yet doesn't reduce the absorbency of the towel like a fabric softener will.

[CAShine]

Re: How to clean microfiber towels

Wash hot with dish detergent.

[ti286]

Re: How to clean microfiber towels

Really hot water. Rinse by hand. Tumble dry. NO need for detergents

[akimel]

Re: How to clean microfiber towels

Really hot water. Rinse by hand. Tumble dry. NO need for detergents

I'm sorry. I strongly disagree. Hot water is good, but a detergent is also necessary.

[jfelbab]

Re: How to clean microfiber towels

I agree, my experience tells me hot water alone will not get MF's clean.

[therdrman]

Re: How to clean microfiber towels

1. wash with detergent on whatever setting
2. no fabric softner.....
3. wait until rinse cycle (add 1tsp vinigar per towel.. this is after 2-3 use)
4. air dry or use the dryer