Lambs wool wash mitts

[dave_st170]

Hi

Do u wash theses before 1st use??


If so what with??

Thanks
Dave

[Buellwinkle]

I don't wash them when brand new, but after I wash them in the washing machine along with the towels with Tide.

[dave_st170]

Thanks m8

So you dont need to give it a wash before 1st wash of car..


Dave

[Buellwinkle]

I don't see why unless you suspect they are contaminated (not in a sealed bag and dropped on the floor). For me, they are soaked in the bucket for a few minutes until I get to that part of the wash process and I feel that's good enough.

[Aurora40]

I always wash everything like that first. Mitts, sponges, towels, applicators. You never know where they were before they got to you.

[Boss_429]

Originally posted by Aurora40
I always wash everything like that first. Mitts, sponges, towels, applicators. You never know where they were before they got to you.

Same here! Why take the chance that there may be something in the mitt that will mar the paint.

[OrangeRcode]

I have heard that you should never wash your towels and wash mitts in any kind of granular detergent. It is said that some of the particles do not break down and can end up in the nap of the towels. I only use white 100% USA cotton towels that I try and catch as closeouts. I cut off the ends and labels. I wash them in a liquid detergent. Is this necessary? Sorry, a little off topic but in the general area...

[Tim Lingor]

Hey,

I wash every new mitt or towel before use. Just IMHO.

Tim

[Mike Phillips]

I've been following this thread since it was posted and it is an interesting read...

I've only recently began using the real deal, (lambs wool wash mitts), since we purchased our new Honda Pilot. Before that I've always used the synthetic , less expensive fuzzy wash mitts. I wouldn't wash a synthetic wash mitt before using because running these synthetic fiber wash mitts through the washing machine and dryer tends to make the fibers matte together creating a wash mitt that is matted and tatty looking, (no longer fuzzy with loose fibers).

Has anyone ever noticed this to happen with a genuine lambs wool wash mitt? To date, I have never washed any of the real lambs wool wash mitts as I received them in new/excellent condition and my experience with the synthetic, less costly wash mitts makes me hesitate to put one of these in the washing machine. I'll experiment today and run my oldest one, (still in great shape), through the wash cycle and see how it turns out.

As far as laundry soaps go, once in a while I see someone post to only use liquid detergents and not the powder types because of the fear that not all of the powder granules will dissolve and thus the thinking is that some powder granules may lodge in the fabrics being washed, creating the potential for instilling scratches when a laundered polishing cloth is used on a fine finish.

To date, I have never seen this to be a problem. Using a liquid detergent insures this never happens, but in all my years of polishing paint and using Tide Detergent (powder type) to wash both microfibers and cotton towels, I've never witnessed a performance issue with the quality of the removal cloths or the removal process. Never. I'm fairly confident that any quality laundry detergent manufacture has invested the R&D into creating formulas where their detergent fully breaks-up and dissolves in the washing machine environment.

On a related note, I've also seen people post to avoid using colored towels because the dye in the towel will supposedly cause problems when wiping off products. Some coloring, (pigments and dyes), will wash out of fabrics over time and with use, this a slow process and a normal process, just look at any of the older, colored bath towels in your linen closet. After a colored towel is washed and then dried, the dyes used to color the towel are for the most part stable, especially for seasoned towels. That is, you don't see the color bleed-off through the course of normal use. I've used colored towels when wiping off compounds, paint cleaners, cleaner/polishes, pure polishes and waxes, over the course of my life when detailing cars, and have never once seen any performance issue related to the dyes used to color a towel as it relates to removing products and the end-results, the finish on a car.

What's most important when choosing a towel to remove detailing products isn't the color, (although white is the de-facto standard), but rather the quality of the towel itself, as in the softness and plushness of the towel as well as the make-up of the fibers with 100% cotton being recommended and towels that contain polyester and nylon to be avoided.

Of course personal preference will determine whether or not you wash your mitts before using, which type of laundry soap you use and whether or not you use a colored towel to remove your wax.

Sometimes there is no right way, or wrong way, just personal preference. It's nice to have options as this enables everyone to test for themselves what works best for their situation and preference.

Interesting thread...

Mike

[dave_st170]

I only ran the Lamb wool under the tap to get any loose dirt out of it.



Dave

[Mosca]

I also find that the lambs wool mitts need only a decent rinsing. They "bloom" in the wash/rinse bucket. While they're in the water, agitate them together, then remove them and rinse.

Also, I don't use them as "mitts". I cut the sleeves off and use them as wash rags, it's easier to turn them and the sleeves will never touch the finish.

Tom

[Boss_429]

Originally posted by Mike Phillips


I've only recently began using the real deal, (lambs wool wash mitts), since we purchased our new Honda Pilot. Before that I've always used the synthetic , less expensive fuzzy wash mitts. I wouldn't wash a synthetic wash mitt before using because running these synthetic fiber wash mitts through the washing machine and dryer tends to make the fibers matte together creating a wash mitt that is matted and tatty looking, (no longer fuzzy with loose fibers).

Has anyone ever noticed this to happen with a genuine lambs wool wash mitt? To date, I have never washed any of the real lambs wool wash mitts as I received them in new/excellent condition and my experience with the synthetic, less costly wash mitts makes me hesitate to put one of these in the washing machine. I'll experiment today and run my oldest one, (still in great shape), through the wash cycle and see how it turns out.

Mike

Mike,

Normally, I hand wash, and air dry my mitts, and towels, and I've never used any synthetic mitts long enough to really pay much attention, so they may indeed matt up in a washing machine. Cotton mitts tend to matt up somewhat no matter how they are washed, but I honestly think they look "fluffier" when done in the washer. I just don't like washing detailing tools used for the car in the same machine that washes the clothes on my back........ and neither does the boss (wife)!

The lambs wool/sheepskin mitts I've hand washed/air dryed don't seem to matt up at all?

[Mike Phillips]

Originally posted by Mosca
Also, I don't use them as "mitts". I cut the sleeves off and use them as wash rags, it's easier to turn them and the sleeves will never touch the finish.

Tom

That's interesting, I never actually put my hand inside the mitt when I wash our cars. I don't cut the sleeves off, but that's a good tip. I have to wonder how many serious enthusiasts or professional detailers ever put their hands inside a glove style wash mitt?

Hmmmm....

I think I'll post a poll?

Interesting.

Mike

[Mike Phillips]

Originally posted by Boss_429
The lambs wool/sheepskin mitts I've hand washed/air dried don't seem to matt up at all?

I've noticed this too, I've been very happy with the lambs wool wash mitts Meguiar's offers, I usually rinse mine out really well with water after washing the Pilot and the let it air-dry by placing it on the grit guard in the bucket. So far, no problems.

I am going to through my oldest one, (that's still in great shape), into the washing machine and see what happens. I have a microfiber load, (Ultimate Wipes and Bonnets), ready to go. I'll try washing it with them.

Mike

[Aurora40]

I have grown a lot more fond of the Meg's sheepskin mitts. I used to think they were overpriced, but my original Meg's mitt is still around after a few years and numerous trips in the washing machine. It was the first sheepskin I bought, and it's seen a lot of other "nicer" mitts with thumbs come and go. It's only now starting to de-fur a slight bit, but I've two more Meg's mitts to replace it.

I wash mine in the washing machine after every wash. I've never had a problem with them matting up. I toss them in the dryer for a little bit to help them dry faster, then air dry them. They are good as new when done. I'm sure it takes a bit of a toll, but I don't honestly want them to last forever.

Edit: DavidB once suggested washing mitts with towels. I tried this once with my MF's and once with my cotton towels. I won't try it again... The mitts fuzzed the towels up a fair bit. It was easy to remove, but I'd rather not have to bother.