Washing Microfiber towels and terry cloth?

Nickshades · 06-13-06, 08:24

Can anyone recommend the most beneficial way to clean microfiber towels. (water temp., cleaning agent, utlize dryer, etc.)

I just feel like the softness is lacking with my microfibers unless they are a little damp and i'm not looking to cause more damage to a fresh detailed surface.

thanks for any suggestions.

Nick

-Lebowski- · 06-13-06, 08:34

Very simple. Hot water, liquid detergent. Dry on low or air. To help get fluff back run a second or third rinse with a 1/2 vingar.

Hey, Moe! · 06-13-06, 08:47

There have been many posts about this, and a lot of different answers.

If you add all of them up, it seems like a liquid detergent is the choice. Some use a detergent made for microfiber (I've tried Sonus' Der Wunder Wasche, others have used Charliesoap), some don't. Nowadays, I use a liquid detergent that doesn't have any scents or dyes. Hot water seems to be the norm.

Everyone seems to agree (and so do the manufacturers) that one should NOT use fabric softener.

I dry mine on low heat, and they seem to be ready to go. I've heard about the vinegar rinse, but have never needed it, though I don't detail as often as some people here.

Nickshades · 06-13-06, 08:48

that's usually my method. I've even used this cleaner that pinnacle makes (a detergent) and it doesn't make much of a difference to the plushness.

Also, any recommendations for removing stains from these microfibers that I don't think have come out thus far.

Thanks

Nickshades · 06-13-06, 08:51

I also wash my microfibers separately from the terry cloth towels and glass.....any thoughts on this.

thanks again,
Nick

racingbeat · 06-13-06, 09:07

hmmm..
I washed with the Pinnalce REjuvenator for MF's except I washed on Cold thinking hot would be too rough.
I stuck them in the dryer on normal and got a boat load of static cling.
Why does this happen. I'm new to the washing machine, I usually drop it off at the laundry service (they even fold it for you..)

chml17l · 06-13-06, 09:15

Quote:

Originally Posted by racingbeat

hmmm..
I washed with the Pinnalce REjuvenator for MF's except I washed on Cold thinking hot would be too rough.
I stuck them in the dryer on normal and got a boat load of static cling.
Why does this happen. I'm new to the washing machine, I usually drop it off at the laundry service (they even fold it for you..)

The tumbling action of the dryer combined with the low humidity/high temp. environment causes friction to produce a charge on the polyester mf. Wala--static cling.

I wish I could afford a laundry service--for my detailing towels.

Nickshades · 06-13-06, 09:28

I agree with you chml17l

-Lebowski- · 06-13-06, 09:29

Static is good, it is what sucks up the dirt particles into the weave.

Make sure you do not use fabric softener. I prefer Charlies Soap Liquid Laundry.

I actually run an empty load through the machine on hot with 2ozs CSLL and then do my MF's. The wife insists on using fabric softener so I want to make sure that it is all out of the machine.

And before you ask -----> Charlies Liquid Laundry

efinirx7gt · 06-13-06, 09:34

I thought washing in hot water is a no no?

maecrispy · 06-13-06, 09:53

You rarely ever need hot water assuming you're using a good deteregent. Warm water is fine. As far as getting your MF's (or any other laundry) soft, use vingar in the final rinse.

Your MF's get stiff and less soft because of the minerals in the water. The minerals get depositied on the fibers and make them stiffer and less able to absorb liquids. The vinegar, which is a mild acid, dissolves the minerals therefore restoring the fibers to their original state.

efinirx7gt · 06-13-06, 09:56

Cool, thanks for the info maecrispy. I hope the vinigar smell doesn't stick around after its dried out.