Washing MF Towels, Sponges Etc

J

jsoto

New member
I didn't see any past threads but does anyone mix/match when washing your towels after you're done detailing.



For example



4 or 5 Applicator Sponges

7 MF Towels ( 5 with Z5 / 2 with Z2)

1 MF Towel (Z6)



2 Terry Sponges ( One with Lexol Conditoer/Other with Cleaner)



I have a feeling I messed up, but what I did was dawn wash in the bucket the applicator sponges till they were pretty clean.



I also did the Terry Sponges too until they were pretty clean.



I threw everything in the washer, set it for Hot (put a little Tide and Vinegar) and washed and hung dry.



How you fellow autopians do it. Do you wash everything serperate?
 
I don't know that you did anything wrong, persay... But I do wash everything separate, especially MF towels. I don't want products from other things getting into the MFs.
 
I wash any MF's/applicators used for Zaino together and any towels used for Lexol/Vinylex together. I use the washing machine set to gentle for my MF's. I haven't bought a sponge yet (just dumped $100 to Tom at JT), but I wash my mitts by hand in a bucket.
 
I take everything I use and throw it in a pile when it is dirty. Mitts, wipes, towels, hand pads, machine pads - everything. When the pile gets big enough (or I'm out of microfiber wipes, which is usually the case) I throw the entire pile into the washing machine. Wash on the most aggressive cycle, with an extra rinse. I then remove the foam parts and wash mits (because they tend to unravel) and throw everything else in the dryer (no fabric softener.) I've never had any problems.



The most important thing is to get the dirt and dust out. Tiny bits of left-over compound or wax (if there is any) won't hurt.



(Actually, my wife says the most important thing is to fold what was already in the dryer before you started instead of leaving it in a pile where it will wrinkle because all you can think about is your damn detailing stuff and if you are so incredibly thick and inconsiderate as to think that..... :scared I better stop..... :argue )
 
Exactly what CARGUY wrote and ecspecially the last part about folding what was in the dryer:D



I sometimes do a soap cycle twice after a rinse if they were really dirty....The first time I may add a bit of dawn to the wash...not too much or the foam will hurt the machine....Always hot hot water and always a double rinse....



Also it is nice to wipe out the washing machine when done cause sometimes it will get a bit gooky in there.
 
I find that the damn MF's are so absorbent that even after 4 rinses I still get soapy rinse water. This is with about a half-portion each of Tide free and oxy-clean. Typically I'll wash once with soap then run another three cycles before hang drying.
 
I wash my mf separate. I mix a bucket of dawn and hand wash the towels and then pour the mixture in the machine washer. Then add some more dawn and machine wash. Air dry only.
 
I wash my linting and non-linting materials differently. I consider MF non-linting so...



Basically anything foam, my MF, and absorber towels go in one wash, and then all of my cotton and washmitts are washed in another.
 
I wash all my detailing stuff in one load and I always let them air dry.



Even my best terry square applicators have been torn apart in the washing machine, seems like letting them soak in soapy water for 1 hour then hand washing is the best solution to keep them in one piece until they need to be replaced.
 
joed1228 said:
Even my best terry square applicators have been torn apart in the washing machine
Click to expand...



Same thing happened to a co-worker who uses Zaino. He was using Sal's applicator until one day it disintegrated in the machine. He has not applied Zaino to his car since, too lazy to get a new one.
 
JustinTRW said:




Same thing happened to a co-worker who uses Zaino. He was using Sal's applicator until one day it disintegrated in the machine. He has not applied Zaino to his car since, too lazy to get a new one.
Click to expand...



You can use the terry applicators they sell at AutoZone, they work pretty well and they come in packs of 10 so if your washing machine chews one up it's ok.



Oh well, there goes the competition ;)
 
I guess I pretty much wash everything separate right now. Cheap terry towels and MFs in separate machine loads (MFs first of course just in case), applicators by hand in a sink of Dawn. I think I'll try machine washing the apps with the MFs next time since it's kind of a pain to do to my satisfaction by hand.
 
JustinTRW said:
I wash my linting and non-linting materials differently. I consider MF non-linting so...



Basically anything foam, my MF, and absorber towels go in one wash, and then all of my cotton and washmitts are washed in another.
Click to expand...



Yes, this is what I do as well. I use just a little liquid tide, and a half scoop of oxi clean, no softner. I dry mine on low, helps get all the dust out.
 
I just tried throwing the CMA pads into the washing machine (on extra gently setting) with my MF towels. The velcro backing on the white pad started to separate from the foam :mad:



I'll go back to hand washing the pads, myself.
 
I guess i might as well add my .02 as well..



This is my recipie for cleaning detailing supplies:



I have my MF towels separated into two different categories:

PAINT

OTHER



The Paint MF towels are the ones used to remove Wax, Sealant, drying the car, etc. these are ALL washed together after having been soaked in hot water and tide for about 2 hours.. then i pour entire bucket into washing machine, place on gentle cycle, and do extra rinse.



The "Other" MF's are also washed together, same procedure as for the PAINT



Foam applicators are left in a bucket of HOT HOT water with a heavy solution of Dawn Power Plus for about 2 days.. constantly rinsing them out.. emptying bucket, and putting new solution of Dawn inside bucket. This is to ensure that all the wax, or Z is taken as much out of the foam applicator as possible.



PC Pads are treated the same as the foam applicators, but in a different bucket.



my last one are my terry and cotton towels used for cleaning cleather seats.. drying tires. buffing 303 off of tires.. etc. etc. These are all washed together along with my absorber in the washing machine with some Tide and a little bit of Clorox to remove any stains, and get them as clean as possible. Temperature set to HOT, extra rinse, and PreSoak cycle.
 
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