Do you know how best to clean microfiber cloths and towels used in your auto detailing? Here I share my 8 top tips to care for, wash & clean microfiber cloths, detailing and drying towels, to keep them in tip-top condition and ensure your microfibre cloths are working at their optimum performance.
I also guide you through the reasoning behind each microfiber cleaning tip and also what not to do when washing your microfibre cloths. And finally, I’ll give you a heads up on a great product to keep them in super top condition for longer. If you don’t want to wait to discover this super microfiber towel cleaner you can find it here.
As any detailer will testify – you can never have enough microfibre cloths in your detailing kit bag, whether for cleaning, polishing or drying. Most would also agree it is just as important that you take equal care of them as you do using them to detail your cherished motor.
Caring For & Cleaning Microfiber Cloths
- Never use fabric conditioner – Always number one on our list when washing. The conditioner gets deep into and stays in the fibres vastly reducing the effectiveness.
- Take care – If you drop a microfibre towel or cloth on the ground – consider binning it – either that or be prepared to sit for a long time picking out each of the bits it will invariably pick up – you don’t want the possibility of a bit of grit hiding in the fibres scratching your newly polished paintwork.
- Wash before first use – although most microfibre cloths and towels will be lint-free straight out of the bag – we do find that some lint created during the manufacturing process can remain with the cloths until first wash.
- Consider adding vinegar – a small amount of vinegar with your washing detergent or microfibre rejuvenator to help remove some oils and bacteria that might be picked up or start growing in the fibres.
- If and when tumble drying – remember to always use a low heat – the fibres which are made up of varying proportions of Polyester and Polyamide will melt at higher temperatures and when then cool will harden and potentially scratch your paintwork or the surface you are working on.
- Wash separately – try not to wash with materials that are not lint free – you will know from experience that microfibres will attract and retain most bits they come into contact with – the last thing you want is for bits wool, lint and other materials from your washing being trapped in your microfibres.
- Dampness stinks – do not leave your microfiber drying towel or cloth lying around damp – as soon as you can get them washed and dried – this will help prevent the growth of horrible-smelling bacteria as mentioned in Tip 4. If not able to wash and dry immediately rinse out in clean water and then totally submerge in a container of clean water with some added vinegar – this will help reduce bacteria growth until you can wash and dry.
- Store separately – try to store your microfibre cloths and towels in a dry, dust-free environment and away from other materials to prevent them from attracting lint, dust and other particles.
If you follow these practical tips to care for, wash and clean microfiber cloths they should give you many months or years of effective and safe car cleaning and detailing use.
The Best Detergent To Wash & Clean Microfiber Cloths
For some time now I have used specialist products to clean our microfiber cloths and detailing towels. Starting off in the very early days with a product from Pinnacle wax, which at the time was one of the only Microfiber cleaning products available and then moving to Chemical Guys Microfiber Wash.
- Removes stains and restores the cleaning properties of microfiber with every wash.
- Keeps your microfiber towels at the peek of softness and performance
- Hospital grade super concentrated detergent cleans, restores and maintains microfiber
- Regular washing with powder detergents or retail washing detergent is harmful to the microfiber; may destroy the absorbency of towels
- Removes oils that may otherwise not be removed with ordinary detergents
Your Turn
Now for your turn – do you have any tips on how to clean microfiber cloths or tools? Please let us know in the comments box.
And it’s not just your microfibres and drying towels you need to care for. If you are a regular or even infrequent user of chamois leathers, we’ve got a specific article on how to clean and care for your chamois.
5 Comments
Car Cleaning Guru
Some great tips regarding microfiber care there – not using fabric softener being the most obvious one! I’ve never heard of using vinegar – interesting, I’ll give that a go on some of my dirtier towels thanks.
www.eldorado-seville.com
Great tips – thanks for sharing!
Romelia Goettman
If you clean leather should you condition it as well?
admin
Ideally you should to help keep the leather soft and supple and prevent it from cracking over time.
Mark
Thanks for the great tips on maintaining one of the mainstays of detailing. These gems of recent creation definitely work best if they are properly maintained. I will need to keep the dash of vinegar in mind.
Cheers,
Mark