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**BlueZero** · Nov 19, 2006, 07:49 PM

Re: What is the proper way to clean your micro fiber cloths

I just throw mine in the washing machine with some Tide. You can use any soap just do not use anything with fabric softener in it. I dry mine in the dryer with NO heat and NO dryer sheets. The fibers of microfibers are so fine, that the heat of a dryer will melt them. I also stay on the cold wash cycle, just to stay away from the heat also. I use the same washing for my microfiber pads. For my foam pads i soak them overnight in a bucket of water with Dawn dish soap. I squeeze them often so the wax gets out of them. Then I do the same thing with clean water.

**Sergei** · Nov 19, 2006, 09:37 PM

Re: What is the proper way to clean your micro fiber cloths

I just read that adding a cup of vinegar to the final rinse in your wash will restore MF to a fluffier and softer feel. I will try this to some of my MF's that are getting tired. Geesh... I can't believe we are talking about washing. Men, we used to be hunters... never mind. Back to polishing. :-) :-)

**N.E.W.car** · Nov 20, 2006, 01:15 AM

Re: What is the proper way to clean your micro fiber cloths

Originally posted by BlueZero View Post

I just throw mine in the washing machine with some Tide. You can use any soap just do not use anything with fabric softener in it. I dry mine in the dryer with NO heat and NO dryer sheets. The fibers of microfibers are so fine, that the heat of a dryer will melt them. I also stay on the cold wash cycle, just to stay away from the heat also. I use the same washing for my microfiber pads. For my foam pads i soak them overnight in a bucket of water with Dawn dish soap. I squeeze them often so the wax gets out of them. Then I do the same thing with clean water.

Sorry bud - this is wrong.

You NEED to wash your microfiber towels in hot water, otherwise the wash cycle will not properly break down and remove the product trapped in the fibers.
Also, there is no way a dryer will "melt" the fibers of a COTTON microfiber. Cotton will not melt. If your microfibers are melting, they aren't cotton.

NEVER wash any other type of towel with your microfibers, the lint from a terry or other type of towel will adhere to the microfiber - and basically ruin it. ALWAYS wash micrfibers by themselves. Sometimes I'll throw a couple Hi-Tech applicator pads in there - but only because they usually have the same products the microfibers have on them, and they produce no lint.

**cornflake_81** · Nov 20, 2006, 01:51 AM

Re: What is the proper way to clean your micro fiber cloths

I'll vouch for Nate's advice. I recently washed a SLEW of mf towels with a couple of terry towels, one of which apparently had a fair amount of saw dust/wood chips in it. In short, I've got to throw away a bunch of microfiber towels.

**Ticman** · Nov 20, 2006, 05:50 AM

Re: What is the proper way to clean your micro fiber cloths

Where can you get a Cotton Micro-fiber towel? I haven't been able to find any 100% cotton MF's. The ones I have say they are a blend of polyester and polyamide. (And you will ruin these if you set your dryer on high heat like you do for 100% cotton)

I wash my MF towels in Micro-fiber detergent. I wash in warm water and dry on lowest heat setting. The come out better than when they were new.

**Dynamicd** · Nov 20, 2006, 06:15 AM

Re: What is the proper way to clean your micro fiber cloths

Originally posted by ryoga View Post

Does anyone know what is the proper way to clean Micro Fiber cloths (used to wipe away polish and wax)? I have been using ordinary cloth detergent but I was told by a friend that may not be the proper way. Can I also clean the application pads using this detergent or do I need to replace them once they have absorbed too much polish/wax absorbed?

I didn't see anyone post it,,,,,but I ONLY use liquid detergents with anything that touches my paint. An un-disolved granule of soap can scratch too. If you use powder,,,always start the water and throw the powder in and let it disolve before you dump your towels in. Better safe than sorry! Also check the bottom of the washer and dryer for sand/grit that might have been there previously.

Ocassionally, I will also dump some all purpose cleaner or simple green in and then stop the cycle and let everything soak for an hour or so.........(when towels have alot of wax, polish, etc.)

Just my 2

**BlueZero** · Nov 20, 2006, 06:56 AM

Re: What is the proper way to clean your micro fiber cloths

Originally posted by N.E.W.car View Post

Sorry bud - this is wrong.

That's what I've read in a few places. But hey, I'll give the hot a try next time. I'm sure it will clean them better. Thanks for the info.

**jfelbab** · Nov 20, 2006, 08:04 AM

Re: What is the proper way to clean your micro fiber cloths

Originally posted by Ticman View Post

Where can you get a Cotton Micro-fiber towel? I haven't been able to find any 100% cotton MF's. The ones I have say they are a blend of polyester and polyamide. (And you will ruin these if you set your dryer on high heat like you do for 100% cotton)

I wash my MF towels in Micro-fiber detergent. I wash in warm water and dry on lowest heat setting. The come out better than when they were new.

You won't find a cotton microfiber as cotton threads are many times larger than a microfiber thread. Cotton can't be a microfiber due to it's natural size. You'd need to call cotton a macrofiber.

True microfibers are blends of polyester and polyamide in a 80-20% or 70-30% blend. Here is a good link to info on what microfibers are. http://classic-motoring.stores.yahoo...whatbigde.html

I wash my Microfibers in the washing machine with a small amount of Woolite. I add a little vinegar to the rinse cycle as a natural softener. The towels last quite long and remain soft and absorbent. I dry in the dryer on warm setting.

**Mikeyc** · Nov 20, 2006, 02:36 PM

Re: What is the proper way to clean your micro fiber cloths

DF Towel makes a microfiber towel made out of 100% cotton. I have some and they're pretty nice towels.

**jfelbab** · Nov 20, 2006, 04:23 PM

Re: What is the proper way to clean your micro fiber cloths

Originally posted by Mikeyc View Post

DF Towel makes a microfiber towel made out of 100% cotton. I have some and they're pretty nice towels.

FWIW, In order to be truly called a "microfiber" the fiber must be less than one denier. Fine silk, is approximately 1.25 denier. Polyester and polyamide fibers are 0.2 to 0.6 denier. Cotton is typically always over 1.

I don't dispute that DF is making some nice 100% cotton towels but I doubt their claim of them being a "microfiber." Since I know of no microfiber police I think the term microfiber is being used very loosely by many manufacturers.

Back on topic. Woolite is a great cleaner and seems to lengthen the useful life of my microfibers. I have used Tide HG on occasion with good results as well. I used to hand wash my better mf towels. I found that they cleaned up better in hotter water so I wash them now in the machine with hot water.

I think I recall Mike stating they toss their mf's in the washing machine as well. The only thing I'd recommend is to never wash mf towels with cotton towels. The mf's will pick up a ton of lint if you do.

**Mikeyc** · Nov 20, 2006, 04:39 PM

Re: What is the proper way to clean your micro fiber cloths

Originally posted by jfelbab View Post

FWIW, In order to be truly called a "microfiber" the fiber must be less than one denier. Fine silk, is approximately 1.25 denier. Polyester and polyamide fibers are 0.2 to 0.6 denier. Cotton is typically always over 1.

I don't dispute that DF is making some nice 100% cotton towels but I doubt their claim of them being a "microfiber." Since I know of no microfiber police I think the term microfiber is being used very loosely by many manufacturers.

I can't confirm the size of the fiber used in DF Towel products (alternatively I'm sure you can't confirm the size of the fibers in the towels you use

). I think Leo from DF Towel may surf this site sometimes and hopefully will chime in on your comment.

**everglo** · Nov 20, 2006, 04:57 PM

Re: What is the proper way to clean your micro fiber cloths

Originally posted by N.E.W.car View Post

Sorry bud - this is wrong.

You NEED to wash your microfiber towels in hot water, otherwise the wash cycle will not properly break down and remove the product trapped in the fibers.
Also, there is no way a dryer will "melt" the fibers of a COTTON microfiber. Cotton will not melt. If your microfibers are melting, they aren't cotton.

NEVER wash any other type of towel with your microfibers, the lint from a terry or other type of towel will adhere to the microfiber - and basically ruin it. ALWAYS wash micrfibers by themselves. Sometimes I'll throw a couple Hi-Tech applicator pads in there - but only because they usually have the same products the microfibers have on them, and they produce no lint.

ROFL

**N.E.W.car** · Nov 20, 2006, 06:17 PM

Re: What is the proper way to clean your micro fiber cloths

Originally posted by everglo View Post

ROFL

Nice. If you are going to say something like that - back it up.

I might have stated some incorrect things, which I am not above admitting - but my comments about washing procedures are correct.

**ryoga** · Nov 20, 2006, 07:36 PM

Re: What is the proper way to clean your micro fiber cloths

Hi everyone, thanks for the feedbacks. Really appreciate everyone's inputs.

[FONT=Trebuchet MS]The cloth detergent I use are in liquid form. I normally immerse the micro fiber clothes (cold water) in a pail with a capful of that detergent for abt a day, and then hand wash the clothes again before immersing them in clean water for a few hours. Wifey won

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What is the proper way to clean your micro fiber cloths

What is the proper way to clean your micro fiber cloths

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