How To Wash Microfibres

[Bailes1992]

Just done mine and they came out fantastic, like new! And theres allot of threads asking how to do this so I made a guide here.

Things You Will Need

Washing Power or CG-Microfibre Wash
http://www.cleanyourcar.co.uk/microfibre-cloths/microfibre-wash-/prod_209.html
White Vinigar
Washing Machine
Tumble Dryer or Washing Line

Spray the mrcofibres with some white vinigar and put in the washing machine.
In the Detergants draw put in Washing Powder or Microfibre Wash and fill the detergants compartment 1/2 full with white viniger.
Speed around 1200rpm.
Temp around 50 Degress.

Once done you need to just run a pure rinse on them! This is to make sure theres no detergents left on them!

Once done stick in the tumble dryer.
Select 'Synthetics'
Run for about an Hour and then admire!



Thanks For Reading, Bailes :thumb:

[sam_sri]

Just the info i was after! Nice one mate!

[Gaz W]

Using white vinegar and microfibre wash is a waste of time.

One or the other is more than enough :)

Gaz

[Rob1]

Wouldn't use wash powder can risk getting some granules stuck in the fibres.

Always go with a wash detergent(liquid form)

[TangoMan]

I agree. The vinegar is only needed on occasion to rejuvinate the towels. In fact it is more important not to use any conditioner and tumble dry them completely.

[Gaz W]

To be honest to keep your microfibres at they're best, and make them last longer, you should only use a dedicated microfibre wash, wash them at LESS than 60c, and put them out on the washing line to dry.

I use this method with washing them in white vinegar every few months.

Gaz

[Neil_S]

To be honest a detergent like Fairy liquid is fine, I have used white vinegar in the rinse compartment with success before.

I don't find the CG Microfiber+ to remove marks from my microfibers so tend to wash with Fairy if they have marks and reserve the CG Microfiber+ for more of a restorative wash.

I use a 50c wash which is adequate.

[Gaz W]

To be honest a detergent like Fairy liquid is fine, I have used white vinegar in the rinse compartment with success before.

I don't find the CG Microfiber+ to remove marks from my microfibers so tend to wash with Fairy if they have marks and reserve the CG Microfiber+ for more of a restorative wash.

I use a 50c wash which is adequate.

What fairy liquid is it? Washing up liquid? :)

[Neil_S]

No I mean the Fairy non bio liquid.

[Gaz W]

No I mean the Fairy non bio liquid.

Ahhh :)

Might have to try it cheers for that :)

Gaz

[Bailes1992]

I put washing up liquid in the washing machine once and ended up with millions of bubbles :)

[Bailes1992]

Wouldn't use wash powder can risk getting some granules stuck in the fibres.



Thats why you run a pure rinse after them ;)

[Dasco]

did mine with washing liquid in machine at 60c and put white vinegar in the conditioner tray also set machine to extra rinse dried on the line towels came out like new made them very soft also washed some cheap ones i got these are now like the expensive ones
not sure if to use the vinegar every time though but will always use two rinses from now on

[Bailes1992]

NEVER EVER use washing up liquid in the washing machine! will end up in lots of bubbles :P

[Clark]

I find my MF's are softer when dried in the Tumble Drier compared to left to hang out to dry :)

[Ducky]

I haven't got a tumble dryer, hence the reason I hang em out to dry! :lol:

[andburg]

left i na bucket for 24 hours in washinup up liquid, then washed with non bio at 40deg before a rinse in cold water and being hung on the washing line, not had any issues yet

[TRILL]

will have to tell the wife to get washing liquid not powder, now i see the best way to wash them :thumb:

[shane_ctr]

can i wash all my towels at once?? ie drying, waxing etc?? do u wash all ur towels every time after use?? Even u dring towels or do u just rinse them and leave to dry.

Thankyou
Shane

chemaical guys stuff any good??

[Padtwo]

NEVER EVER use washing up liquid in the washing machine! will end up in lots of bubbles :P

mmmm...... just had some snow foam delivered, dammit, April was last month hehehehehe:devil:

[Bleakboy]

Wouldn't be surprised if that was actually on there bottle

NEVER EVER use washing up liquid in the washing machine! will end up in lots of bubbles :P

:) :)

Used the white Vinegar techinque and worked fine,
not used the tumble dryer yet, will give it a go

[veeduby]

How long do you leave the mf's in the tumble dryer for?

[Brazo]

To be honest a detergent like Fairy liquid is fine, I have used white vinegar in the rinse compartment with success before.

I don't find the CG Microfiber+ to remove marks from my microfibers so tend to wash with Fairy if they have marks and reserve the CG Microfiber+ for more of a restorative wash.

I use a 50c wash which is adequate.

I think your right the CG stuff is so good that my m/f's are so soft they are struggling to remove polish residue :lol:

[corksta]

I've started washing my microfibres at 90. Thery're coming out as good as new.

[Dave^]

I put washing up liquid in the washing machine once and ended up with millions of bubbles :)



slightly off topic..... but i once put washing up liquid in the dishwasher (totally by accident, i had put washing up liquid in a pan to soak and chucked it in with the rest.....) and ended up with a kitchen full of suds :wall: :lol:

[westie]

Must have looked like mickey mouse as the magicians apprentice in Fantasia, without the wand to assist or not cleaning it up.

[Triggaaar]

I find my MF's are softer when dried in the Tumble Drier compared to left to hang out to dry :)Oh. The microfibres I bought from you had a label saying not to tumble dry them. I will now follow your advice, and if there's a problem, you can send me replacements :) (I will be sure not to check this thread again, in case you withdraw your advice).

[JGrant1285]

how often do you wash all your MF's/Applicators/drying towels etc????

I've been washing all mine after ever detail, should i be doing this????

Thanks

[TOGWT]

Micro fibre (Microfiber) Care:
Always wash towels as soon as possible after use, the longer they sit the more the contaminants will set do not use bleach (bleach will shorten the life of your Microfiber cloths.) Read the label on the detergent bottle and use half of what they recommend and use hot water (120oF)

Heated water breaks down water-soluble soiling faster as it reduces overall chemical usage because it reduces the surface tension of the fibre and will better dislodge wax and other particles. Heat acts as a catalyst promoting quicker reactions between chemicals and the soil thereby minimizing dwell time.

If the towel becomes too dirty, it will begin to “streak”, it is then time to wash the towel. Pre-soak in a liquid detergent / water and then squeeze out wax/polish with your hands and rinse thoroughly. Micro-Restore is the only detergent formulated for maintaining and restoring micro fibre, it’s a concentrated detergent designed to clean, pamper and extend the life of micro fibre cloths. With all of the polishes, waxes, oils and chemicals that we apply and remove with our micro fibre cloths / towels, regular household detergent doesn’t even come close to cleaning or restoring them.

Micro-Restore effectively removes dirt without using the bleaches and softeners commonly found in laundry detergents (even when they say they don't there are small traces). Over time bleach breaks down micro fibres, and fabric softeners clog the microscopic fibres that make it so effective, rendering the micro fibre product less effective with each washing.

Three types of energy are required; Chemical energy- provided by the synthetic cleaner, Mechanical energy - (agitation) provide by machine or hand, Thermal energy -provided by warm or hot water. Heated water breaks down water-soluble soiling faster as it reduces overall chemical usage because it reduces the surface tension.

Heat acts as a catalyst promoting quicker reactions between chemicals and the soil thereby minimizing dwell time. Warm or hot water helps dissolve grease and oil in soil, agitation or hand rubbing helps pull the soil free.
This concentrated aqueous formula is a special blend of surfactants, emulsifiers, chelating agents and water softeners.

Not only will Micro-Restore extend the life of your micro fibre, but also its special blend of ingredients has the power to break down all chemicals and heavy residues (wax, oil, grease, break dust, and other chemicals) that become implanted in micro fibre products when used in heavy cleaning situations like car care and remove them. The water softeners in the formula neutralize calcium and magnesium in hard water that cause towels to stiffen over time. Micro-Restore is the ultimate cleaner for micro fibre because it rids them of all products without ruining their structure. Micro-Restore is biodegradable

Directions: Use hot (120oF<) water and add 1-2 ounces to a standard size (8 gallon) load, for larger loads or heavily soiled laundry, add 3-6 ounces. As a pre-spotter: dilute 1 part concentrates with 3 parts water, apply to stain and launder as usual.Do not use fabric softener (most contain silicone that the towel will adsorb and it will weaken the towels static charge and clog the fibres thereby reducing their effectiveness) towel will also treat the fabric softener as if it was dirt by trying to store the tiny particles of the softener in the towel fibres. This will clog up the micro fibres and render the towel ineffective.

Add a teaspoon per towel distilled white vinegar in place of a softener, the vinegar doesn't coat the fibres but instead works to eliminate detergent residue and the acid counteracts any alkaline minerals in the water supply. Vinegar (Acetic acid, pH=2) works well in the rinse cycle to make your towels softer. Detergent is an alkaline (pH=12, the opposite of acidic on the pH scale).When you wash your towels (or anything for that matter) there are small amounts of detergent left behind, when your add Vinegar it balances the pH of the solution and helps removes the excess detergent from the wash.

Do not wash micro fibre cloths / towels with other non- micro fibre fabrics, as they will pick up lint from other fabrics. Air dry or you can dry micro fibre cloths / towels in any dryer on low heat, remove them before they are still damp (cuts down on static charge) just be sure that the dryer does not dry at temperatures above 235 oF as a synthetic Microfiber will melt if heated too high. Colours may bleed during first washing.

Information resource- (http://www micofibertech.com

Reference resource- Automotive Detailing Inside & Out, A Knowledge Base for the Perfectionist – by Jon Miller aka TOGWT™

[trionic]

I use Persil non-bio washing liquid which does a good job of cleaning the cloths, leaving them in good condition. However the damn stuff never rinses out no matter how little you use.

I do have some Sonus MF wash but it's too expesive when supermarket laundry liquid works just as well and is much cheaper.

[Jameshs]

how do you stop the colour running out of the MF when washing, i have 3 different coloured MF (for different parts of the car) but i washed a red and yellow one and now i have red and an orange :lol:

[trionic]

No idea! My Autoglym MF cloth ran badly when I washed it with other cloths. You're lucky you got orange... my cloths went pink :rolleyes: :wall: :evil: :lol:

[jedi-knight83]

so this white vinigar. Just get it from tescos do i?

Will it leave the machine stinking of vinigar?

Is it ok to wash all applicator pads and wax and other general MF cloths all together or do people separate the cloths for washing?

cheers

[Clark]

so this white vinigar. Just get it from tescos do i?

Will it leave the machine stinking of vinigar?

Is it ok to wash all applicator pads and wax and other general MF cloths all together or do people separate the cloths for washing?

cheers


I just bung them all in the wash together, and i get big bottles of the white vinegar from Asda, i put it in the machine every time i do a wash, doesnt smell either :)

[jedi-knight83]

what temp do you personally use and how much vinigar per wash?

also do you use a dedicated MF wash?

im using percil bio stuff at the moment

[Clark]

i just pour the vinegar to the top, which is too much but it works well so i dont care lol. i wash them at 40 degrees :)

[ethos]

I used normal washing powder with all my microfibres the other day..

All 5 of them including the big one I dry the whole car with.

They seem ok though. Will they no be of a lesser quality?

[Neil_S]

what temp do you personally use and how much vinigar per wash?

also do you use a dedicated MF wash?

im using percil bio stuff at the moment

The bio liquid is fine, as for amounts of vinegar, I find an amount similar to what you would put in of that concentrated fabric conditioner when washing clothes (about 50ml).

As for the special microfiber cleaners, they do restore my polishing clothes well and I use it from time to time.

I have found that they can inhibit absorbancy on the waffle weave towels however, so only non bio for these.

[g-star_raw_uk]

Micro fibre (Microfiber) Care:
Do not wash micro fibre cloths / towels with other non- micro fibre fabrics, as they will pick up lint from other fabrics.

Information resource- (http://www micofibertech.com

Reference resource- Automotive Detailing Inside & Out, A Knowledge Base for the Perfectionist – by Jon Miller aka TOGWT™

I am assuming that my Sonus Der Wunder Drying Towels are NOT microfibre material, as such, should these be washed separately as per instructions above??:confused: :confused:

[53WRX]

Use a blob of your least favourite car shampoo ( megs NXT for me although hyperwash is good aswell) inside the drum with the MF's. White vinegar in the conditioner tray. Wash at 40-50 depending on how manky they are. If you have an extended rinse setting on your Washing machine use it. Tumble dry on low heat, works everytime.

Re lint above, only occurs for me if I tumble cotton Megs towels with my MF's.

In response to the original posting, can't help thinking putting vinegar in with the MF wash or detergent will just kill any suds/cleaning action ? This is why I recomend putting any vinegar in the conitioner tray.

[lord melch]

No I mean the Fairy non bio liquid.

And me - works a treat :thumb:

[Aaran]

dish washing liquid for me to, foam pads/towels etc

[Bigpikle]

I just chuck everything in on a 30 quick wash with a non-bio liquid and it works superb on MF's, towels, water magnet, pads etc etc.

You have to draw a line somewhere.....

[S500]

A tip for the longevity of your washing machine, liquid detergents do not contain any bleach and it is the bleach in washing powders that help keep the machine clean and free of slime and unwanted stale smells, if you only use liquid detergents give your machine a monthly clean by doing a wash cycle with nothing in the drum and no soap at 90 degrees, this will flush out most of the muck that accumalates.

[PJS]

I'll add to that advice above, a squirt or two of bleach is beneficial too.
Also when drying, make sure they are left a little damp after the typical 10 mins of cool down the drying program does to minimise creasing.
Like your household towels, the small amount of moisture in the fabric keeps them soft and non-scratchy.
If you've ever dried a towel out too much, and after persevering with it being like sandpaper, you'll have seen it becomes softer once it's absorbed some water off you - MF towels/cloths are exactly the same.
So, don't over dry and put in the hotpress overnight.

[bigsi]

i never wash mine i use them once on the car and then give them to my wife to use as she wishes, i just buy another pack of 6 for £3.99 at my local auto store