Life of microfiber towels ?

[Jeff U]

How long do your microfiber towels last?

I am finding a number of mine are losing their effectiveness. They feel tougher, not as soft, and no longer absorb water as well.

I try and care for them very well, wash separately, either air dry or use the clothes dryer`s low heat setting.

As they begin to fail, I separate the good from the not so good and use the older ones for nastier jobs.

Anybody have any tips or do anything different ?

[TroyScherer]

I have some that are over 2 years old and are still doing great... One trick I have learned is to a some vinegar to the rinse cycle like you would fabric softener. This has seemed to help keep the towels soft and in absorbent. Another thing I do is I tend to soak my towels in a large tube for a few hours before I wash them using an APC/water mixture. This helps to pre-treat the towels and break up the dirty so I don`t need to use the longer wash cycles.

[Flannigan]

I`m with Troy, I have some MF`s that are over 2 years old that work just like new. If you spend the money up front on quality MF`s then care for them after use, they should last a fairly long time.

[mrclean81]

I try to cycle mine. I have some that are very old, and I would never use them to finish paint, but they are still great for anything else. I buy new ones on a fairly regular basis for paint and retire the worn ones to general use.

[SS 07C70]

I try to cycle mine. I have some that are very old, and I would never use them to finish paint, but they are still great for anything else. I buy new ones on a fairly regular basis for paint and retire the worn ones to general use.

Agree. my retired towels usually end up as tire & wheel use bye the time they are overly stained (yellow not so yellow, blue not so blue ect.). Always wash mine right after use though a cycle with NO soap, just the water the machine supplies for the wash & rinse cycle.

[Pats300zx]

I take care of all my MF towels. I have some that are years old. I wash with a good MF detergent, air dry, and then fluff for a few minutes in the dryer with dryer balls.

The ones that get older just get moved down the line for dirtier tasks. I move them onto wheel polishing or engine bay cleanup. Some I will just use for my jetski`s and boat since I always worry about catching some sand or other dirt in them and never want to use them on a car again.