Wax MF

[mis3]

What is the best way to wash the wax MF?

I usually soak them in a bucket of hot water and detergent for 1-2 hours and then rinse with clear water.

[dave93761]

Re: Wax MF

That would be fine, but it does sound a bit like overkill.

Just throw them in the machine with a little bit of LIQUID detergent on a cool water setting.
Then allow to dry naturally inside on a clothes rack.

[macmaster]

Re: Wax MF

What is the best way to wash the wax MF?

I usually soak them in a bucket of hot water and detergent for 1-2 hours and then rinse with clear water.

Seriously? You can really do this? I have a whole thread of people saying they should be machined-washed, lol!

What kind of detergent do you use?

[mis3]

Re: Wax MF

Just throw them in the machine with a little bit of LIQUID detergent on a cool water setting.

Why cool water? Better to the MF?

I just use liquid Tide. I sometimes do wash them in a washing machine but only a few wax MF do not make up even 10% of a load. Also, in a bucket, the detergent can be more concentrated.

[Murr1525]

Re: Wax MF

Yeah, machine works well.

Wash MF's together. A little white vinegar once in a while.

[dave93761]

Re: Wax MF

I should clarify, on my washing machine, the coolest water setting is 30 deg celsius, so it's not cold but not much past lukewarm at best.

You've also mentioned that these are cloths that have been used to remove wax. If you were washing cloths that had been used to remove grease etc, then I would say go hot water. Warmer water will cause fibres to open up and release whatever it is they're holding. However it can also shrink cloths as well, so be careful.

But I have found my cloths have always been 'fluffier' and had a nicer feel when I've used the 30 deg setting on my machine - the other reason for using the 30 deg setting is it only takes 20 mins per cycle.......using hot water takes a lot longer. When I'm doing 2 or 3 loads of cloths, I don't want to spend half a day doing it!

[STRIFE]

Re: Wax MF

I use this http://www.autogeek.net/mideco128oz.html

I have a large pail and toss a bunch of my MF towels and wash em after I detail a car. Part of my routine.

If the MFs are a bit dirty, I let it soak for a day, works great as you don't need too much of this MF soap..

If you don't want to buy this MF soap...you could use a good dish soap like Sunlight or Dawn...those worked great as well...

[mis3]

Re: Wax MF

I use this http://www.autogeek.net/mideco128oz.html

I have a large pail and toss a bunch of my MF towels and wash em after I detail a car. Part of my routine.

If the MFs are a bit dirty, I let it soak for a day, works great as you don't need too much of this MF soap..

If you don't want to buy this MF soap...you could use a good dish soap like Sunlight or Dawn...those worked great as well...

Dish soap instead of cloth detergent???
Better with dish soap?

[STRIFE]

Re: Wax MF

Not sure if it's better, but since dish soap is known to strip wax off paint...I figure it can remove wax outta MF cloths after buffing.
I have switched to Micro Restore to wash my MF...gave my dish soap to my wifey to wash the dishes.

[wOlfy]

Re: Wax MF

How to Wash Microfiber Towels

First off, you only want to wash them in COLD water. DO NOT use a lot of soap. My good towels never get very dirty or greasy because they are only used to wipe polish or wax from the car, thus I can use a gentle detergent like Woolite. You don't want to use the hash detergents like the stuff you use on your regular clothing. If your towels are a little dirtier than normal, let them soak in the washing machine overnight. Simply add the proper amount of Woolite to the washer, add the towels and fill the washer to the proper level. Use the gentle cycle to wash these towels. Allow the wash cycle to begin for 1 minute so that the Woolite has a chance to mix with the towels and then shut the washer down. Let it sit for as long as necessary (overnight if that's what you need, shorter times for towels not as bad), and then start the washer back up later.

DO NOT use any fabric softener of any kind! Do not use too much Woolite! Read the bottle, a little goes a long way. If 1x is good, 2x is worse in this case. Also NEVER. EVER, EVER wash these towels with any other article of clothing, especially bath towels and wash clothes. That will ruin them too.

After the wash, DO NOT DRY THEM IN A DRYER USING HIGH HEAT!!! (if you do, you may as well use them to check the oil because they are useless at that point). I don't use a dryer at all. I allow them to air dry. String up a clothes line in your garage or outside somewhere and buy some clothes pins (if you can find some, that's some old school equipment right there!). If fabric sheets are used with these towels, it will destroy them. That will cause them to start scratching the **** out of your car. Drying them in the dryer with too much heat will do the same thing, that why I tell guys never to machine dry them.

If you follow these rules, your towels will keep the consistency and softness that they had from day one. If you allow your wives or girlfriends to do this, trust me, they will screw them up unless they have read this. Don't assume that they know how to do this and don't let them tell you that they know what they are doing when it comes to microfiber. They do not own, nor have they probably ever owned a piece of material like this so they will not be aware of these requirements. Test them before you hand them over and see if they get it right. I guarantee they won't.

There are vast differences in MF towels, even with same count! The great ones come from korea & the ones which are/have, thin, sewed hems, TAGS or fryed edges are from china, are less quality & should be used for checking oil or @ the very most only for door jams & engine bays.

[wOlfy]

Re: Wax MF

Washing alone can only clean them up so much... the fibers hold on to little bits of polish and wax residue, detail spray, etc. Also, unless you have a separate machine for drying just your MF, there is some trace amounts of fabric softener in the barrel of your dryer as well. All that builds up, the fibers get matted, tangled, and the towel just gets generally tired.

Boiling helps them release all the stuff thats trapped in the fibers and refreshes the fibers.

On a microscopic level microfiber has a structure to it (illustrated below versus a cotton fiber) Over time those grooves get caked up, or stuck together, they don't clean well, maybe drag a little, and don't perform as they should. Boiling just restores the fiber back to its original shape and gets it as clean as possible.

Its not something you want to do often as the heat can help, but also hurt the towel if you were to melt the fibers.

[green-ghost]

Re: Wax MF

very informative wOLFy. Ive been washing mine along with clothes all along. Never used the dryer though! Sometimes I think its eaisier to just buy a new batch when setting out on a major detail ie, my own car lol.

[wOlfy]

Re: Wax MF

thx .... but i am only sharing a article which was in a car care mag that i saved to my putter ...... can't remember which one but it was presented as an educational article & that kinda disables alot of the copyright or sharing rules a lil ..................... I am trying to find the source & author once i do i will edit or repost it