Cleaning Microfibers?

[AnthonyCorbo]

It seems like im buying more and more microfibers lately, but I'm beggining to notice that there all dirty. How do I clean them? mostly just dirt from regular "dusting".

Any suggestions would be great!


Anthony

[Murr1525]

Re: Cleaning Microfibers?

I just throw them in the washing maching as usual, no fabric softener.

Every so often I'll add in the white vinegar.

[AnthonyCorbo]

Re: Cleaning Microfibers?

they won't dry out on me or anything?

[Alexandre]

Re: Cleaning Microfibers?

I just throw them in the washing machine with only microfibers, same as Murr

[J. A. Michaels]

Re: Cleaning Microfibers?

Wash them with like items. Liquid detergent. Dry on low heat. No fabric softener what so ever. Like Murr suggested, rejuvenate them every once in a while with white vinegar.

[Blueline]

Re: Cleaning Microfibers?

How much vinegar for..... say a half load washer? A cup?

[photoryan]

Re: Cleaning Microfibers?

Wash them with like items. Liquid detergent. Dry on low heat. No fabric softener what so ever. Like Murr suggested, rejuvenate them every once in a while with white vinegar.

Where would you place the vinegar on a front load washer? Should it be mixed in with the detergent, used as a pre-wash or used in the bleach compartment (obviously instead of bleach)?

[Murr1525]

Re: Cleaning Microfibers?

On some washers, you may just have to do an extra 'wash' or rinse ,etc after with the vinegar seperate.

[Calais]

Re: Cleaning Microfibers?

For a while I washed with just detergent, then someone turned me on to the vinegar trick (which works great!) but I got some Pinnacle MF rejuvenator as a freebie from Autogeek with a big order and I really like it. It smells funny but there's no need for vinegar, it uses a really high dilution rate, it leaves the towels clean and soft, plus you can add it to a bucket of water at a strong dilution and soak towels to pull of stains.

[J. A. Michaels]

Re: Cleaning Microfibers?

How much vinegar for..... say a half load washer? A cup?

I have done almost a full load, say70-80% full and have never used more then a 1/3 cup of vinegar.

Have no experience with a front loader. So like Murr suggested, a separate washing may be necessary.

[TOGWT]

Re: Cleaning Microfibers?

Before using micro fibre towels for the first time;

• Remove labels / tags
• Check for towel colour fastness before washing
• Wash towels before using

Wash Towels after use

Always wash towels as soon as possible after use, the longer they sit the more the contaminants will set. The chemicals used in car care products will negatively affect the fibres structural integrity and weaken them, shortening their useful life. Residual chemicals will cause streaking, whereas dried chemicals will cause scratches. Do not use bleach or high alkaline cleaning products as they will shorten the life of your micro fibre. Read the label on the detergent bottle and use half of what they recommend and use hot water (120.oF)

Washing / Care Directions (Towels)

Heat acts as a catalyst promoting quicker reactions between chemicals and the soil thereby minimizing dwell time. Warm or hot water helps dissolve grease and oil in soil, agitation or hand rubbing helps pull the soil free. This concentrated aqueous formula is a special blend of surfactants, emulsifiers, chelating agents and water softeners.

Pre-Soak Micro Fibre Towels

Micro fibre towels can "load-up" with residues reducing their effectiveness. Don't let polish residues dry in the fibres as dried hardened product can cause scratches and product chemicals can negatively affect the fibres
Once you have finished detailing with the towel, allow it to soak in a bucket with a d-limonene (citrus) based cleaner (P21S Total Auto Wash) or a micro fibre detergent (Micro-Restore). This will make it easier to clean and prolong the life of the towel as any chemicals that could potentially harm the fibres are removed sooner, keep in mind that excessive use of powerful degreasers may eventually damage the fabric. When you are ready to clean them, rinse well, re-wash and leave to air-dry

• Wash / Rinse after using and before you use a different product (i.e. don’t use to remove polish and then apply wax) to avoid cross contamination
• Always wash towels separately from other fabrics using hot water, the primary consideration is detergent residue so always use a detergent that is clean-rinsing
• Wash drying towels separate from wax/polish towels
• Washing your towels on a regular basis without allowing them get too soiled, they will last much longer
• Some detergents contain enzymes, which don't work well in cold water.
• Woolite® is intended for delicate fabrics and fine washables such as lingerie and cashmere sweaters, so it won’t remove polish or car care products
• As a pre-spotter: dilute 1 part concentrates with 3 parts hot water, apply to stain and launder as usual.
• Waxes and polymer sealants are not water soluble; they dry and adhere to the towels fibres. Cold water will simply allow them to remain in a solid state and not completely wash off.
• Hot water, however, allows them to soften and loosen from the threads and allows the detergent to act as it should and lift the contaminants from the fabric. Use hot (120oF) water and add 1-2 ounces to a standard size (8 gallon) load, for larger loads or heavily soiled laundry
• Use a liquid detergent (or a speciality product like Micro-Restore) without softener, bleach, whiteners.
• If possible buy the versions that are perfume and additive free as all these do is chemically coat the fabric and reduce its efficiency.
• Using half the washing detergents manufacturers suggested amount is usually sufficient
• During the rinse cycle add 1-tsb per towel white distilled vinegar to help dissolve detergent and hard water minerals
• Do not use fabric softeners or toss-in sheets, as they deposit chemicals (silicone, etc) on the fabric and render them ineffective. These chemicals will also transfer to whatever you are cleaning or polishing with the towel.
• Clean the lint screen before and after every wash session

Debris Caught in Fibres

Micro fibre towels are designed to hold onto various types of contaminants that can scratch a prized car; they need to be inspected after each washing, especially if there is any chance they might have been dropped or picked up some tree particles from the car. Even if your towels have never been dropped, if you wash them with towels that have, debris is potentially inside the washing machine drum

Notes:

1. Lint or fibre shedding – a dryer ball (Life Miracle® Dryer System™) seem to help as they fluff up the fibres and lessen the static that is the main cause of Microfibers trapping lint. Lint may also be trapped in the machine’s lint screen and its being transferred o the towel.
2. For problematic wax only towels - try using very cold water to make the solidified wax brittle, then wash with hot again.
3. Washing Machine - Car products can get left behind in the drum. Run a cleaning cycle once you’ve finished washing your micro fibre towels, using hot water, some liquid detergent and distilled white vinegar.
4. Mixing Fabrics - Do not wash micro fibre cloths / towels with other non- micro fibre fabrics, as they will pick up lint from other fabrics. Air dry or you can dry micro fibre cloths / towels in any dryer on low heat, remove them before they are still damp (cuts down on static charge) Colours may bleed during first washing
5. Drying –air dry or use low / medium heat in a tumble dryer, adding two ‘Dryer Ball’ will help plump up the fibres’ the melting point of nylon 493. oF (256 °C)so hot drying will not harm fibres
6. Static – to avoid static build-up remove towels from machine while they are still a little damp and air-dry

An extract from one of a series of unbiased Detailing Technical Papers, a library of educational materials that has become the #1 reference for car care on the Internet

Chances are you'll learn something about detailing if you read any of these; although these articles will not improve your detailing skills, lead to a successful business or change your life. Applying what you learn from it, however, will. That's where your commitment comes in - you need to make a commitment to yourself right now that you will take action on what you learn.

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[Blueline]

Re: Cleaning Microfibers?

I have done almost a full load, say70-80% full and have never used more then a 1/3 cup of vinegar.

Have no experience with a front loader. So like Murr suggested, a separate washing may be necessary.

The washer is a top loader. Thanks for the info.