microfiber towel help
- Thread starter Stangmike
- Start date
Futuristic
New member
I'm sure others will comment with better ideas on cleaning them of any non-MF contamination, but first off: Don't Boil Them! The boiling water would do the same damage to the fibers as drying them on High Heat. i.e., it would melt all the great little split Micro ends into plain old scratchy synthetic ends.
Personally, if they weren't put into a Hot dryer, and didn't get any Fabric Softener, I would just wash them again separately in MF detergent and call it good.
If they were put into a Hot dryer, they are toast. They make OK grease rags.
If they got Fabric Softener, it will probably take a couple of washings in concentrated MF detergent to remove the Softener residue.
Any other ideas, folks?
Futuristic
Personally, if they weren't put into a Hot dryer, and didn't get any Fabric Softener, I would just wash them again separately in MF detergent and call it good.
If they were put into a Hot dryer, they are toast. They make OK grease rags.
If they got Fabric Softener, it will probably take a couple of washings in concentrated MF detergent to remove the Softener residue.
Any other ideas, folks?
Futuristic
I do not gently boiling them will hurt them.
I thought that all microfibers go through pressure boilers to impregnate them with dye, these commercial pressure boilers are much more intense than anything a stove and a big pot could do.
Since the mfs are in water, I do not see how the fibers will become melted together, thus rendering useless.
I know adampolishes recommends boiling your mfs if they become less effective.
I thought that all microfibers go through pressure boilers to impregnate them with dye, these commercial pressure boilers are much more intense than anything a stove and a big pot could do.
Since the mfs are in water, I do not see how the fibers will become melted together, thus rendering useless.
I know adampolishes recommends boiling your mfs if they become less effective.
3Dog
New member
Boiling them will be OK. If you do a search you will find lots of info on MF care.
a.k.a. Patrick
New member
Just rewash separately, you'll be fine. Remove from dryer while still slightly damp.....
Futuristic said:
I've seen some amazing misinformation on the web but that takes the cake! The melting point of polyester is 500ºF, the boiling point of water is 212ºF, you do the math!
Boiling will do absolutely no harm at all, the water temp will not even remotely approach a temperature so high as to melt polyester. Boiling isn't necessary if a towel has been washed properly. Boiling will release built up waxes and polishes from not having washed the towels correctly. Just normally wash them in HOT water and liquid detergent (not Woolite) and you should be fine.
vwgtivw
Don't diss the FAST!!
I agree with DF you can boil them with no harm. I've bought MF that came with instructions that said to boil them before using them.
CleanFreak2 said:
For artificial fibers like polyester and nylon dry on low or no heat or air dry. High heat for natural fibers such as cotton.
Personally I have never seen nor heard of a household dryer reach a temp so high as to melt polyester. However... a poorly made or malfunctioning one may cause hot spots which may melt some fibers. Better safe than sorry.
Futuristic
New member
DFTowel said:
Well, I won't guarantee that Boiling WILL hurt MF towels, but it isn't recommended in the (Hosted by this very site!) Autopia-Carcare.com Guide, to wit:
Also, if the MF towels are good to go until 500 degrees F, then you should be able to chuck them into any American Clothes Dryer, as the Consumer Product Safety Commission says that the highest normal operating temperature for Electric and Gas Fired Clothes Dryers in the US is 175 degrees Celsius/342 degrees Fahrenheit.
Are you advocating putting MF towels in a dryer set to high? :getdown
It is certainly possible that I am wrong about the temperature sensitivity of MF towels, but I didn't just dream it up, I cited a (presumably knowledgable) source. Can you do likewise as to their ability to withstand boiling with no functional degradation?
Futuristic
Eliot Ness
Active member
The biggest problem you'll have is if the "other clothes" left a bunch of lint on the MF's...... that's a bear to get off. I made the mistake a long time ago of washing some MF's with some terry cloth towels accidently..... never could get all the lint off the MF's (only two) so they are now used for wheels, etc.Stangmike said:
As president of DF Concours, Leo knows his stuff about the textile business and towels.Futuristic said:
White95Max
New member
DFTowel said:
What's wrong with Woolite?
White95Max said:What's wrong with Woolite?
Woolite is a very mild detergent. Too mild. Towels washed with woolite will "over a period of time" break down because they're not getting clean enough compared to if you used a detergent like all, tide, etc.. The contaminants will remain in the fibers of the towel.
Setec Astronomy
Well-known member
I can't help but notice that some of you seem to be reading/listening to only part of the answers/discussion here.
As far as boiling/wash temperature: no, it won't melt anything. Will it make the colors run, or shrink some of the edging etc. so the towel isn't quite square anymore? Very possible. Will that really affect the function of the towel? No. But it is a reason that some suppliers recommend against it, because they want you to be happy with your (relatively) expensive towel purchase, and don't want it all faded/gnarled after the first wash. Hot water will absolutely be more effective at removing wax residues, just like if you are washing a greasy pan you would use hot water.
What is being said about the drying temperature is that a properly functioning dryer won't damage your MF towels, but that to eliminate any risk of melting/fusing fibers, dry on low or air dry. I have never heard of anyone damaging MF's in their dryer, although people talk about the possibility all the time.
If you think about problems that people have when they wash clothes, the two biggest problems are colors running and shrinkage, followed by getting the dirt/stains out...it's not much different for MF's.
As far as boiling/wash temperature: no, it won't melt anything. Will it make the colors run, or shrink some of the edging etc. so the towel isn't quite square anymore? Very possible. Will that really affect the function of the towel? No. But it is a reason that some suppliers recommend against it, because they want you to be happy with your (relatively) expensive towel purchase, and don't want it all faded/gnarled after the first wash. Hot water will absolutely be more effective at removing wax residues, just like if you are washing a greasy pan you would use hot water.
What is being said about the drying temperature is that a properly functioning dryer won't damage your MF towels, but that to eliminate any risk of melting/fusing fibers, dry on low or air dry. I have never heard of anyone damaging MF's in their dryer, although people talk about the possibility all the time.
If you think about problems that people have when they wash clothes, the two biggest problems are colors running and shrinkage, followed by getting the dirt/stains out...it's not much different for MF's.
Futuristic said:
The guide is not totally correct... sorry David Since you don't wear your towels a little shrinkage doesn't matter.
If you read what I said a dryer is probably OK but to play it safe use a lower heat setting. Another reason to lower the heat on polyester is to reduce static.
Experience.... hmm.. let me see... oh yes... thirty years in the textile industry.
a.k.a. Patrick
New member
I have always washed mine on the hot setting. I have also always dried mine on the hot setting. The only concern one should have is the fabric coming in contact with the dryer elements guard, which can get pretty hot if its a metal one. Fortunately, my dryer does not reach temps capable of melting polyester. I always remove the towels before they are actually dry.
Spilchy
New member
I've been washing my MF's in HOT water with Tide Free and a splash of Simple Green and a 1/2 cup of vinegar in the rinse and dried on a low setting until COMPETELY dry for about 4 years. I have yet to have a SINGLE issue with my 150+ towels. (I used to use Charlies Soap and MF detergents and have come to the realization that the Tide works the best).
Regarding a HOT dryer? My cleaning woman uses about 40 MF's that I bought her to clean my house. She uses all sorts of chemicals and polishes with them. They get HOT washed and dried on a HOT setting. I have yet to throw any of them out. They ALL work just fine, remain soft and absorbent. They go on a hot setting because I have them mixed with cotton rags that she uses. (I was and dry MF and cotton ALL the time without a single issue).
This topic has been discussed ad nauseum. YES, you can wash your MF in HOT water. YES you can place your MF's until completely dry in the drier on a low setting to be safe or a hot setting if you have experienced no issues.
People, were not dealing with washing silk or great granny's 100 year old embroidered doilies
Regarding a HOT dryer? My cleaning woman uses about 40 MF's that I bought her to clean my house. She uses all sorts of chemicals and polishes with them. They get HOT washed and dried on a HOT setting. I have yet to throw any of them out. They ALL work just fine, remain soft and absorbent. They go on a hot setting because I have them mixed with cotton rags that she uses. (I was and dry MF and cotton ALL the time without a single issue).
This topic has been discussed ad nauseum. YES, you can wash your MF in HOT water. YES you can place your MF's until completely dry in the drier on a low setting to be safe or a hot setting if you have experienced no issues.
People, were not dealing with washing silk or great granny's 100 year old embroidered doilies