Washing a towel used to apply Simichrome

daneel

New member
I used a terry towel to polish my exhaust tips using simichrome. I then washed the towel in my washer and dryer. My question is: is there any problem to then wash my nicer towels in the same washer afterwards (WW etc)? I ran the washer on a hot cycle with nothing in it before putting in the nice towels, to wash away any simichrome residue. I also ran the dryer for 10 minutes before drying the WW.



Do I need to be concerned about some sort of residue in the machines that can potentially adhere to my nice towels? :/
 
daneel said:
I used a terry towel to polish my exhaust tips using simichrome. I then washed the towel in my washer and dryer. My question is: is there any problem to then wash my nicer towels in the same washer afterwards (WW etc)? I ran the washer on a hot cycle with nothing in it before putting in the nice towels, to wash away any simichrome residue. I also ran the dryer for 10 minutes before drying the WW.



Do I need to be concerned about some sort of residue in the machines that can potentially adhere to my nice towels? :/
Usually when I use a metal cleaner/polish I don't bother washing the towel. I'll use another clean spot on it for another application at a later time and then just toss it out. Bulk packs of terry towels are pretty cheap so I don't waste my time washing them and risk getting residue in the washer. I also use Wal-Mart , Sams, Costco or other cheap MF's for things like wheels and jambs that also get tossed when filthy.



If I'm ever concerned about a residue in the washer I'll use some APC to wipe it out and then run hot water through it to make sure it rinses clean.



You can usually see a film either on the walls of the wash tub (depending on color) or sometimes a film on the top of the clear water you're trying to clean it out with. I'd say the hot water cycle probably got most of the residue out but if you're concerned I'd do an APC wipe down of the wash tub, run at least one cycle to rinse it out, and then rewash your good MF's using ~1/2 cup vinegar in the first of two rinse cycles. My rule of thumb is to run rinse cycles until the rinse water shows no signs of soap (suds). With a good MF detergent, I use Micro-Restore, the second rinse cycle might be overkill, but it makes me feel better and my WW's never have an absorption problem.



I'd probably be more concerned with the dryer because I don't know that running it for 10 minutes would do a whole lot to get rid of any residue. I often do a quick wipe with IPA to make sure there isn't a lot of fabric softener sheet residue in our dryer, and it only take a few minutes to give it a good wipe down inside.



Or you can just test a couple of your good towels out and see how they work.... do they still absorb well and not streak or smear? If so you're most likely good to go.
 
This is why I use my scruffier towels for this duty, so that I don't worry about washing them
biggrin.gif
 
Robb said:
This is why I use my scruffier towels for this duty, so that I don't worry about washing them
biggrin.gif



Yeah, normally I just toss the towels I use on the exhaust; I don't know what got into my head that I threw it in the machine :(



The towels don't have any smell on them (simichrome has a distinct odor) but I'll rewash them I think.
 
Thanks Eliot! I'll probably rewash the towels just to be sure. Is Simple Green OK to use as an APC for the washer?



I was worried that I might have permanently damaged the towels (these are a new set that I got from Pakshak just last week).



Eliot Ness said:
Usually when I use a metal cleaner/polish I don't bother washing the towel. I'll use another clean spot on it for another application at a later time and then just toss it out. Bulk packs of terry towels are pretty cheap so I don't waste my time washing them and risk getting residue in the washer. I also use Wal-Mart , Sams, Costco or other cheap MF's for things like wheels and jambs that also get tossed when filthy.



If I'm ever concerned about a residue in the washer I'll use some APC to wipe it out and then run hot water through it to make sure it rinses clean.



You can usually see a film either on the walls of the wash tub (depending on color) or sometimes a film on the top of the clear water you're trying to clean it out with. I'd say the hot water cycle probably got most of the residue out but if you're concerned I'd do an APC wipe down of the wash tub, run at least one cycle to rinse it out, and then rewash your good MF's using ~1/2 cup vinegar in the first of two rinse cycles. My rule of thumb is to run rinse cycles until the rinse water shows no signs of soap (suds). With a good MF detergent, I use Micro-Restore, the second rinse cycle might be overkill, but it makes me feel better and my WW's never have an absorption problem.



I'd probably be more concerned with the dryer because I don't know that running it for 10 minutes would do a whole lot to get rid of any residue. I often do a quick wipe with IPA to make sure there isn't a lot of fabric softener sheet residue in our dryer, and it only take a few minutes to give it a good wipe down inside.



Or you can just test a couple of your good towels out and see how they work.... do they still absorb well and not streak or smear? If so you're most likely good to go.
 
IMO it pays to clean out the washing machine pretty often anyhow, especially if you use the same one for detailing stuff and household items. HOT water with plenty of bleach, after cleaning the basket and agitator (if present) by hand with APC, seems effective.



Every now and then you might take it apart (or have a service guy do it) and *really* clean things, you won't believe what it's like in the areas you don't normally see :eek:
 
daneel said:
..........Is Simple Green OK to use as an APC for the washer?...........
It ought to be OK. I usually fill the tub partially with water, pour in a little APC and then wipe down the tub with an old cloth or sponge. A nice hot rinse with some bleach like Accumulator suggested will make sure everything is nice and clean.



I don't really do it too often, just when I get stupid and attempt to save an MF by washing that I should have just thrown out.



I think your PakShak MF's will be fine, especially if you rewash them.
Accumulator said:
.......Every now and then you might take it apart (or have a service guy do it) and *really* clean things, you won't believe what it's like in the areas you don't normally see :eek:
With two teenagers and a young college student in the house I always have to clean out the excess soap before I do a load of MF's. The way our tub tilts I can usually get the places you don't normally see w/o taking it all the way apart.
 
daneel said:
..Is Simple Green OK to use as an APC for the washer?



I've used it plenty of times, it's about all I ever seen to do with all the Simple Green I inherited from my dad. But it doesn't seem to clean things all that well so it wouldn't be something I'd run out and buy for this.
 
Accumulator said:
I've used it plenty of times, it's about all I ever seen to do with all the Simple Green I inherited from my dad. But it doesn't seem to clean things all that well so it wouldn't be something I'd run out and buy for this.



Well I had some lying around, so I thought I'd ask. What's a better OTC APC?
 
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