How to remove fabric softener from MF Towels

black bart

black bart

New member
Recently my wife had a knee replacement and my daughter came to our house to help me with the house cleaning.

I had a big load of MF Towels in the washer and I was running the sweeper when I saw her come out of the utility room and I ask her what she was doing in their, but I was afraid I already knew.
She said she put fabric softener in the washer it was ready to do the rinse. :wall :surrender :passout:
The washer was still filling with rinse water so I removed the towels and wrung them out.
After the washer was done I filled it with the towels and washed twice with hot water and rinsed twice with hot water.

The towels do not absorb QD very well they have all the signs of being loaded with fabric softener.

It would not be so bad if most of these were not high quality towels.

How many times do I need to wash them or should I just throw them away and forget about saving them.
 
Other than washing them 3 more times I don't know what to tell you. What really came to my mind as I read your post is how tough it is going to be in your household with a broken down old man and now his sweet wife being busted up. I'll keep you guys in my prayers.
 
GearHead_1 said:
Other than washing them 3 more times I don't know what to tell you. What really came to my mind as I read your post is how tough it is going to be in your household with a broken down old man and now his sweet wife being busted up. I'll keep you guys in my prayers.
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Hey you old coot who you calling a broken down old man. :rofl
Last I heard you were not doing so good yourself, How is your knee doing.

The Golden years are not what they are cracked up to be. :passout:
 
I would washe em a few times in plain water, a few times in detergetn then once or twice with vinegar.
 
black bart said:
Hey you old coot who you calling a broken down old man. :rofl
Last I heard you were not doing so good yourself, How is your knee doing.

The Golden years are not what they are cracked up to be. :passout:
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If anyone would have ever told me that I would be this old at my age... I just wouldn't have bothered. ;)

My knee is what it is and I wouldn't wish it on anyone.
 
I have followed these directions in the past when my wife did the same thing.
It took care of the problem for me. See the whole article at this link
Auto Detailing Microfiber Towels

If the towel still tends to ‘streak’ boil the towels for at least 20 minute, this will soften the fibers, and release any wax / polish residue. This will also release any lint, which will actually come to the surface of the water. Pre-soak in a liquid detergent / water and then squeeze out wax/polish with your hands and rinse thoroughly. Allow microfiber towels to boil for twenty (20) minutes (ensure that water does not fully evaporate) you will find that more wax / polish residue comes out even after a towel has been thoroughly washed. Empty out the water and then remove the towel, don't do it the other way or you'll re-introduce debris to the towel again. Micro-Restore is the only detergent formulated for maintaining and restoring microfiber, it’s a concentrated detergent designed to clean, pamper and extend the life of microfiber cloths. With all of the polishes, waxes, oils and chemicals that we apply and remove with our microfiber cloths / towels, regular household detergent doesn’t even come close to cleaning or restoring them.
 
I've been told by my mf mfg that boiling too long will weaken the fibers ... I advise people in this situation or even when good towels stop absorbing, to bring a large pot of water to a boil and dip each towel for no longer than 2 minutes ... that should be long enough to release anything in the cloth... remember mf is a blend of polyester and should be treated similarly ;)
 
Poorboy said:
I've been told by my mf mfg that boiling too long will weaken the fibers ... I advise people in this situation or even when good towels stop absorbing, to bring a large pot of water to a boil and dip each towel for no longer than 2 minutes ... that should be long enough to release anything in the cloth... remember mf is a blend of polyester and should be treated similarly ;)
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Thanks Steve the 20 minutes sounds way too long to me, I will try cleaning them tomorrow.
Some of these towels are new but she was just trying to help.
How does that go about best intentions.
 
You an accomplish the approximately effect of boiling by heating water to boiling, remove from heat, and let soak. The net water temperature is not likely to significant and safer.
 
I have heard several times about not using fabric softner when cleaning MF's. However, I use it all the time when washign my MF's. I don't see a real effect on absorbing water. However, we have 27 grain hard water where I am from, so if you don't have a water softner and/or use softner your MF"s will be full of basically rocks from the water and you'll have towels that will stand up by themselves.
 
Bunky said:
You an accomplish the approximately effect of boiling by heating water to boiling, remove from heat, and let soak. The net water temperature is not likely to significant and safer.
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that is why I wash all my mf in hot water, first filling the tub and then adding the towels as the agitation begins ... mine always come out good and clean:bigups

shuddleston said:
I have heard several times about not using fabric softner when cleaning MF's. However, I use it all the time when washign my MF's. I don't see a real effect on absorbing water. However, we have 27 grain hard water where I am from, so if you don't have a water softner and/or use softner your MF"s will be full of basically rocks from the water and you'll have towels that will stand up by themselves.
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that is a new one, but it works for you :)
 
shuddleston said:
I have heard several times about not using fabric softner when cleaning MF's. However, I use it all the time when washing my Mufi's. I don't see a real effect on absorbing water. However, we have 27 grain hard water where I am from, so if you don't have a water softner and/or use softner your MF"s will be full of basically rocks from the water and you'll have towels that will stand up by themselves.
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Having experienced how my towels work with and without fabric softener I will stick with NO softener.
Distilled vinegar will help with the hard water.
 
Yep the hard water really sucks. Had a softner I bought from Sears that was reunied after 3 years. It tears up hot water heaters, dishwashers and washing machines twice as fast if you don't have a softner. Not sure about the towels maybe the hard water vs. softner are balancing it out.
 
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