Cleaning MF towels, sponges and MF buffing pads

[pistonslap8814]

Hey all, I'm just looking for specific tips on cleaning microfiber items. Specifically my micofiber Carrand wash sponges and Cobra bone sponge. They're pretty soiled from ONR usage earlier this week. Also, how should I go about cleaning the MF correction kit pads? They've sat for quite some time with D300 and finishing wax embedded in them
For towels, I've used Tide in the past, with no issues.
Thanks for the feedback

[Marc08EX]

Re: Cleaning MF towels, sponges and MF buffing pads

I've tossed my MF pads with my MF towels using a gentle soap without any problems. In fact, it's stated in this picture:


Source: Using Meguiar's D/A Microfiber Correction System

The same can be said with the wash media.

[umi000]

Re: Cleaning MF towels, sponges and MF buffing pads

I soak the MF-covered sponges in some Dawn, then apply a bit more on the face, and work out the grime using my thumbs - works really well, I can get all of my MFs, MF-covered sponges and MF noodle mitts clean even with weekly ONR washes.

[J. A. Michaels]

Re: Cleaning MF towels, sponges and MF buffing pads

I like to wash them in a perfume and dye free detergent. Then I toss them into the dryer at a low setting. Never ever use any type of fabric dryer sheet. Never use a liquid fabric softener either.

[Michael Stoops]

Re: Cleaning MF towels, sponges and MF buffing pads

Here at work we wash all microfiber items - towels, wash mitts, pads, etc - together with a liquid laundry detergent in warm water, cold rinse. We then tumble dry on low heat. As has been mentioned, never use fabric softener or dryer sheets with microfiber materials. In the case of badly soiled towels or microfiber pads that have sat around for a while with product in them, we'll spray first with either APC+ or Super Degreaser as a pre treatment prior to washing.

[eddo]

What is the damage if dried at high heat level? Would I need to toss them away and get new ones dues to the fact that is can now create swirl marks?

[PinoyBoy]

Re: Cleaning MF towels, sponges and MF buffing pads

@Eddo: From what I've read, high heat could melt or deform the strands which then makes them stiff. Stiffness = swirls. Someone correct me if I'm wrong. I'm drying my MF towels right now using the air dry level on my dryer.

Sorry for the bump, but is it any different when washing with a high efficiency washer? Also, is it damaging to wait till I have a collection of dirty MF towels before I launder them? I have about 2 weeks worth of MF towels and I just cleaned them today. I'm just worried about the MF towels getting ruined by leaving it unwashed and soaked in quick detailer and waterless wash formulas.

[Michael Stoops]

Re: Cleaning MF towels, sponges and MF buffing pads

We have a high efficiency washer here at work but I don't have one at home. I see no difference in cleaning ability between the two machines even though we use Tide here at work and I use an allergy free liquid detergent at home.

As for leaving your towels for a period of time before washing, that shouldn't be a problem either. I just did the same thing you did, PinoyBoy, after doing a couple of different projects over a three week period. I had towels that had been used for wiping off wax, wiping down my daily driver with UQD for several days, Water Magnets from drying the car following a bucket wash, and Supreme Shines used for both UWWA and RFEW, plus removal of compounds and polishes. This also included microfiber pads, Soft Buff 2.0 pads, foam hand pads, etc..... pretty much everything, and the most material I'd ever personally collected at home! Not a problem with any of it, although I did spray some APC onto the microfiber pads and brush them up before tossing them in the wash. I also added a cup of distilled white vinegar to the wash.

Here at work it is very common for towels to collect for as much as a week prior to washing, with no ill effects.

[aerogt01]

Re: Cleaning MF towels, sponges and MF buffing pads

What is the damage if dried at high heat level? Would I need to toss them away and get new ones dues to the fact that is can now create swirl marks?

Just saw this, thought I would chime in. I have had my MF's melt to the hot air input in the dryer (NOT a good smell). That is I use low, instead of medium or high.

[STRIFE]

Re: Cleaning MF towels, sponges and MF buffing pads

Megs Super Degreaser ROCKS!! at removing polish or wax out of my yellow buffing pads

[pistonslap8814]

Sorry for the late bump, very very helpful thread. Thanks to all who contributed. I've referenced this thread often, and figured I'd toss out a thanks while I was using this info again.

[Garabaldi]

Re: Cleaning MF towels, sponges and MF buffing pads

Wow, what an awesome thread, thanks to all contributors! A few points of clarification please: I've never used APC or APC+ before:

1) Do they need to be diluted prior to spraying onto microfiber? If so, at what ratio?

2) After spraying them, is there any need to "work it into" the towel or pad and rinse? Or is it just spray, then throw into the washing machine?

3) Finally, pre-treating with APC make it safe to wash towels, pads, and applicators with different products (UQD, UQW, UC, UP, NXT Tech Wax, etc) in the same wash batch? That would be immensely helpful as I only detail my family's two cars, and it takes a while to accumulate enough towels to wash in a medium/large load.

You guys rock!!

[Murr1525]

Re: Cleaning MF towels, sponges and MF buffing pads

1. Yeah, you would want to use them at the usual dilutions. I tend to mix about 8:1 for everything.

2. It all kind of depends on how dirty things are. I dont see a lot of need for anything more than regular soap most of the time. But then just stepping up to a stronger cleaner if needed, working it in more if needed.

3. I tend to do my foam applicators by hand, but you can always throw all the towels together. Just keep the MF and terry towels seperate.

[Cavalier_Man]

Re: Cleaning MF towels, sponges and MF buffing pads

Im not trying to sound like an idiot but what does APC mean and do along with distilled white vinegar?

[mrmlee]

Re: Cleaning MF towels, sponges and MF buffing pads

APC - All Purpose Cleaner