Correct procedure for washing MF towels etc.

[CumminsCrazed]

Hey guys, im just wondering what the "correct" procedure is for washing MF towels as well as the Soft Buff 2.0 Pads and anything else that will need cleaning, maybe applicators and something else im not thinking of?

[Eddie6th]

Re: Correct procedure for washing MF towels etc.

I just clean with the soap(washing machine)for clothes.I rub the sponges together with that and some warm water,just to get the heavy stuff off,then leave them steeping in warm water with some of the same soap for a couple of hours minimum.After that I rinse well and leave out to dry.
there are no softners or anything harmfull in the soap.

[Alex C.]

Re: Correct procedure for washing MF towels etc.

For all my MF towels i've been using warm cycle with woolite and a tablespoon or so of vinegar(medium load) with the first rinse cycle. The hot water helps with releasing dirt and dried polishes. The vinegar, as i've learned on this site, acts as a softener. Doesn't leave any smells behind either. Then dryer with low heat and no dryer sheets.

[Justin A]

Re: Correct procedure for washing MF towels etc.

Washing machine on Sanitary cycle - Extra Hot Wash with a Cold rinse. Tumble try with no heat in the dryer.

Pads I do by hand with a stiff bristled brush and dish detergent/warm water. To dry, layer them with terry towels and put them under some heavy books or something.

[rusty bumper]

Re: Correct procedure for washing MF towels etc.

I give 'em the works.

I pre-treat any stains on my towels with Shout stain remover, as well as my sponge pads, and terry towels too. Then I wash in hot water on the heavy duty cycle with Tide, Gain, etc., and add a little white vinegar to the rinse cycle. I then dry all on the lower heat setting in the dryer.

Mind you, I don't wash terry towels and microfibers together.

I don't have any of the newer 2.0 pads yet, so I can't instruct you there.

[Eddie6th]

Re: Correct procedure for washing MF towels etc.

I give 'em the works.

I pre-treat any stains on my towels with Shout stain remover, as well as my sponge pads, and terry towels too. Then I wash in hot water on the heavy duty cycle with Tide, Gain, etc., and add a little white vinegar to the rinse cycle. I then dry all on the lower heat setting in the dryer.

Mind you, I don't wash terry towels and microfibers together.

I don't have any of the newer 2.0 pads yet, so I can't instruct you there.

I've got about 6-8 supreme shines...and they've been by far the best micros i've used.Getting a hold of them is another matter,of recent.I stupidly used one for cleaning my HT leads because all my cheapo's were getting washed.

Anyway,is it okay to use shout stain remover on these spots where I rubbed? Or is there something else can be used without damaging the towel?

[rusty bumper]

Re: Correct procedure for washing MF towels etc.

I've got about 6-8 supreme shines...and they've been by far the best micros i've used.Getting a hold of them is another matter,of recent.I stupidly used one for cleaning my HT leads because all my cheapo's were getting washed.

Anyway,is it okay to use shout stain remover on these spots where I rubbed? Or is there something else can be used without damaging the towel?

I have badly soiled some of these towels Eddie, and I have not had any visible problems after spraying them with Shout.

There is a forum member here named DF Towel that makes & sells top quality microfiber towels, and he says that it is OK to use aggressive detergents to clean microfibers with.

I have about two dozen of the older, white, Ultimate Wipes that Meguiars used to sell, and I have subjected them to strong detergents like Shout many times with no problems to speak of.

Now, when I say strong detergents, I am not referring to degreasers & such, but only products that I would feel safe using in a washing machine.

[the_invisible]

Re: Correct procedure for washing MF towels etc.

I give 'em the works.

I pre-treat any stains on my towels with Shout stain remover, as well as my sponge pads, and terry towels too. Then I wash in hot water on the heavy duty cycle with Tide, Gain, etc., and add a little white vinegar to the rinse cycle. I then dry all on the lower heat setting in the dryer.

Mind you, I don't wash terry towels and microfibers together.

I don't have any of the newer 2.0 pads yet, so I can't instruct you there.

I, too, treat my towels individually with a laundry stain remover. Shout or equivalent works.

I then wash them with liquid detergent such as Tide, Gain, or whatever cheap detergent I have. I believe that microfiber towels should not use high quality detergent that I use on my clothes.

As mentioned by Rusty, microfibers should not be washed with other fabrics other than microfibers. If you do, they'd be rendered useless on auto paint for the rest of their product life.

[Lt1Corvette]

Re: Correct procedure for washing MF towels etc.

I have tried a lot of different approaches over the years. The best results have been obtained using a mild liquid detergent and the hot/ cold cycle. Then I rack dry my nice towels and throw my old or lower end ones in the dryer.

[roushstage2]

Re: Correct procedure for washing MF towels etc.

I wash and dry similar towels that are used for similar purposes. I.E.- no "shop" towels or misc. detailing towels with my QD and product removal towels.

1/2 the normal amount of liquid soap and some APC in warm/hot water; maybe a squirt of dish soap if they are a bit dirtier than normal. Rinse a 2nd time with a cup of vinegar; and if necessary (due to too much soap), continue rinsing until there is no soap floating on top of the water. No bleach. No fabric softener.

Dry on warm/hot. No dryer sheets.

[Lt1Corvette]

Re: Correct procedure for washing MF towels etc.

Is the vinegar to help remove wax and other product from the nap in the microfiber?

[rusty bumper]

Re: Correct procedure for washing MF towels etc.

...No dryer sheets.

Right. I forgot to mention that.

[rusty bumper]

Re: Correct procedure for washing MF towels etc.

Is the vinegar to help remove wax and other product from the nap in the microfiber?

No, it is used to help remove detergent residue out of the towels while they are in the rinse cycle.

Ever try to rinse slick detergent residue from your hands? Next time, mix a bit of white vinegar in some water and rinse your hands in it. The detergent will be completely removed.

[J. A. Michaels]

Re: Correct procedure for washing MF towels etc.

I give 'em the works.

I pre-treat any stains on my towels with Shout stain remover, as well as my sponge pads, and terry towels too. Then I wash in hot water on the heavy duty cycle with Tide, Gain, etc., and add a little white vinegar to the rinse cycle. I then dry all on the lower heat setting in the dryer.

Mind you, I don't wash terry towels and microfibers together.

I don't have any of the newer 2.0 pads yet, so I can't instruct you there.

I use the same treatment. I would like to add the following. Use a liquid detergent.

I wash the 2.0 pads the same way. Pretreat with shout. Throw them in the wash.

Dry them on low heat.

[wwally]

Re: Correct procedure for washing MF towels etc.

What is the issue about high heat in the dryer? I've usually done this and can't see any problems. The towels seem very soft and scratch free.