Cleaning Rinseless Wash Media?

[CharlesW]

I have several questions on this subject.

1. Those that have used Optimum ONR, DP 4 in 1, Protect-All Quick & Easy Wash, do you see much difference in the way the wash media releases dirt when rinsed?
To me, it seems like the ONR mitts, sponges, whatever get dirtier than I remember the 4 in 1 or QEW mitts did.
It's hard for me to be sure since I have also switched wash media.

2. Do you make a special effort to get your wash media clean after using it? I usually hand wash it with some laundry detergent, but I don't really try to get "clean as new".

3. I do have both 4 in 1 and ONR on hand and will try to compare those two if the weather will cooperate any time soon. (It did get all the way up to 23 degrees today, but the roads are such a mess that a wash job wouldn't last a block.) :wall

 

[Bunky]

I started using ONR with a wool mitt but it got so grimy looking after just doing half a car (ended up using two mitts). The wool mitt fibers were almost gummy like loaded with dirt. I washed them in Dawn and cleaned up nicely. I switched to Chenille after reading about it online and it does turn to turn darker too as it gets used but nothing like the wool mitt. Nor does it fell as grimy, When I am done, I just wring it out and air dry it. Then I save it until the next MF wash. As you can tell, I am doing just my own stuff and I have some spares. I end up buying 3 of about everything...a spare and a spare spare..in case I drop one, etc.

 

[CharlesW]

The effect the ONR has on wash media is rather strange. It seems to leave very stubborn staining that doesn't wash out easily, but the material doesn't really feel dirty at all.
The staining seems to reach a certain level and then remains at that level. It doesn't seem to get worse or wash out, either one. The type of media doesn't seem to make much if any difference. I haven't used my wool mitts with it, but I have used cotton chenille mitts, cotton chenille covered sponges, MF covered sponges, MF chenille mitts, (nor dreadlock), grout sponges, and sea sponges. All of them worked fine. Right now I am using the "Bone" MF covered sponge. Doesn't seem to mar, holds lots of wash solution and is easy to hang on to.

FWIW, I recently read some information on a different forum about Protect-All QEW being $30 a gallon with no shipping. Could be, but the cheapest I have found it is $33 a gallon plus shipping. It is $40.59 a gallon at my local RV store. Add 6% sales tax for a total of $43.03.
ONR is $35.95 at the Detail City Store right now.
$35.95-10% DC discount= $32.36+$8.95 shipping totals $41.35 delivered to your door.
Actually cheaper even without the cost of driving to the store to pick it up.

 

[blk45]

The only experience that I have Charles is with ONR and a grout sponge. Yes, the media does get very dirty, but a quick wash with dish detergent makes it look brand new again. Also, it is more like staining than "dirt", because it doesn't mar the surface. I have "heard" that QEW rinses dirt from the media much more easily, but I can't confirm it.

 

[CharlesW]

The only experience that I have Charles is with ONR and a grout sponge. Yes, the media does get very dirty, but a quick wash with dish detergent makes it look brand new again. Also, it is more like staining than "dirt", because it doesn't mar the surface. I have "heard" that QEW rinses dirt from the media much more easily, but I can't confirm it.

Since I have used QEW and 4 in 1, I should know if they tended to get the wash media as stained as the ONR seems to.
While I don't remember for sure, I don't think the QEW did. I simply don't remember if it happened with the 4 in 1. For some reason, (probably all the hype), I have gone to using the ONR the most. I do plan to try the 4 in 1 my next rinseless wash.

 

[Mr. Clean]

It has been a while since I last used one of the rinseless products for an entire wash, though I do recall just how dirty I thought the chenille wash pad got versus a "normal" wash. Conversely, I splash an ounce or so in my rinse buckets and it certainly seems to help rinse my sponges clean. What does that mean?? I just don't know.

 

[CharlesW]

It has been a while since I last used one of the rinseless products for an entire wash, though I do recall just how dirty I thought the chenille wash pad got versus a "normal" wash. Conversely, I splash an ounce or so in my rinse buckets and it certainly seems to help rinse my sponges clean. What does that mean?? I just don't know.

I don't know either.
Are you saying that when you do a conventional hose and bucket wash you add an ounce or so to your bucket of rinse water?

One thing I hadn't given much thought to is the fact that my so called wash bucket and my rinse bucket both contain the same ONR mix. The idea being to not dilute the wash mix with plain water from the rinse bucket. Maybe I should be using plain water for rinsing the wash media.
Boy if it ever warms up, I have enough experiments to keep me busy all summer just washing my cars. I won't have to buy any new products to play with.

58 days, 2 hours, 43 minutes and 43 seconds till Spring!

 

[Mr. Clean]

...
Are you saying that when you do a conventional hose and bucket wash you add an ounce or so to your bucket of rinse water?
...

Yes. Using it in the rinse bucket seems to help the sponges rinse cleaner than with water alone when you encounter some of the dirtier/greasier/grimier spots on the lower panels.

 

[Bunky]

Yes. Using it in the rinse bucket seems to help the sponges rinse cleaner than with water alone when you encounter some of the dirtier/greasier/grimier spots on the lower panels.

I tried it once but did not notice much improvement with wool. I may try it again this weekend.

 

[Mr. Clean]

Bunky, I agree it does take more of an effort to clean sticky grime from sheepskin mitts; thus my reason for preferring sponges. I still use sheepskin and chenille (cotton and mf varieties) on occasion, but normally only use them on the upper panels (roof/trunk deck/hood).