Problems with Lint

[davey g-force]

My favourite MF towel is recently linting. I love using this particular towel for wiping off QD's / spray waxes because it's big and super plush & soft.

Not sure if it's related, but a few washes ago, I got lazy and washed it together with some other ordinary towels. Now it's shedding those tiny fine fibers that seem to cling to the paint and even more so on glass. I did subsequently wash the towel again with other MF's and dried on low heat, but the problem persists. My other MF towels are fine, but they're not as plush as the particular towel in question.

I tried to capture the fibres in the photo below:





The fibers seem to be stuck there by static and are not easily removed. Another spray of QD and a buff with another MF towel seems to do the trick.

I want to keep using this towel. My question is: Is there any way to remove the lint from this towel, or at least stop it shedding onto my car?

Thanks in advance for any help.

[Detailing by M]

you have to wash MFTs by themselves.
There kind of ruined now.
wash them a few times and dry them with no heat for a few hours maybe at will work

[davey g-force]

Re: Problems with Lint

Thanks Mario, I'll give that a go.

And yes, I know I'm *supposed* to wash them by themselves. Like I said, I just got lazy

It's weird that my other MF's didn't develop the same problem though. I'm starting to think it's got something to do with the other ones having a shorter nap.

[Selectchoice]

Re: Problems with Lint

I'm starting to think it's got something to do with the other ones having a shorter nap.

Maybe a good idea to set an alarm to wake your other towel up earlier next time??

[Marc08EX]

Re: Problems with Lint

My towels also do that. Different types of towels too including the Supreme Shine...

I wash my MF towels by themselves with a dedicated MF wash.

I just thought it was normal.

[Murr1525]

Re: Problems with Lint

Some days mine do, some days they don't. I dunno...

The only thing I have that maybe helps is those dryer balls, and that is a maybe at best.

[davey g-force]

Re: Problems with Lint

My towels also do that. Different types of towels too including the Supreme Shine...

I wash my MF towels by themselves with a dedicated MF wash.

I just thought it was normal.

Thanks for chiming in Marc. Maybe it is normal after a while of using the towel. (This towel has only been used maybe 10-15 times though.)

If that's the case, I'd rather get a new one and "demote" this one, because IMO it ruins an otherwise great detail job.

[davey g-force]

Re: Problems with Lint

Some days mine do, some days they don't. I dunno...

The only thing I have that maybe helps is those dryer balls, and that is a maybe at best.

Thanks Matt. Ive heard you mention the dryer balls before and I've been meaning to try them. I'll have to pick some up.

[Murr1525]

Re: Problems with Lint

I guarantee nothing... but at least it beats everything possible off them.....

[davey g-force]

Re: Problems with Lint

lol don't worry, I won't hold you accountable if it doesn't work!

[jarred767]

I had a similar problem with some Supreme Shine towels, but it was my own fault.

In my ever-evolving quest to find the best way to get windows streak free, I figured I would follow my glass towels with a clean SS MF, except it was too big, so I cut a couple in half and had the wife sow up the edges. Horrible idea as they shed like crazy and the lint looked exactly as whats in that picture. It took many many washes to get most of the stray fibers out and eventually i gave up and demoted them to interior towels.

On a side note, am I right in assuming its best to dry MF's on low to no heat? I somehow missed this if so, and out of curiosity, why does this help? Thanks,

[davey g-force]

Re: Problems with Lint

That's right, low to no heat.

I always do mine on low heat. I find they turn out softer that way.

Also, high heat can damage (melt) the fibers, causing them to scratch the paint, and can generally reduce the life of MFT's.