The Proper Way to Wash Microfiber Towels
Microfiber towels are a staple in any detailing operation. These towels are used for cleaning, buffing, waxing, and more. Microfiber towels will last longer and give you better results when cared for properly. Dirt, lint, and other debris stick to microfiber towels. If you use a dirty microfiber for car detailing, you can scratch and damage car paint.
Table of Contents
- Microfiber Explained
- Machine Washing
- Detergent Choice
- Reuse
- Conclusion
What is Microfiber?
Microfiber is a synthetic fiber that is finer than a typical thread of fabric, with a diameter of less than ten micrometers. The most common types of microfiber are made of polyesters, polyamides, or combinations of polyester, polyamide, and polypropylene.
Microfiber towels are an excellent car care and automotive detailing tool for washing, drying, and applying a multitude of detailing chemicals. Microfiber towels clean more effectively than your typical household towels. Their tiny, absorbent fibers grip and lift up grime into the towel and away from automotive surfaces.
Can You Put Microfiber Towels in the Washing Machine?
It can be safe to wash microfiber towels in any residential or commercial washing machine if you are using the appropriate detergent. Read your detergent label instructions in full and follow them exactly. Always use cold water or warm water (not hot) to help release the dirt trapped in the towel. For extremely soiled towels, an extra soak cycle can loosen difficult soils.
Depending on the fiber makeup of your microfiber towels, it is especially crucial that you only use cold or warm water for washing. Polyester and polyamide are thermoplastics, meaning they can be melted. Therefore, you should never wash microfiber towels in hot water. It is also important to avoid wash additives like fabric softener. Fabric softeners clog and coat fibers, making microfiber towels less effective at cleaning.
Is it Safe to Wash Microfiber Towels with Colors?
Microfiber towels should be washed separately from other laundry. They also should be separated by use. For instance, microfibers used to wipe up excess compounds and polishes should be washed together, while microfibers used to apply interior cleaners and dressings should be washed together. Separation helps avoid cross-contamination of chemicals and ensures you don't use the wrong towel during application. It can be helpful to use multiple laundry baskets with labels to avoid confusion. It's also important to keep cotton towels and other materials out of a microfiber load. Only wash microfiber with microfiber.
Drying Microfiber Towels
When drying towels, it is always recommended to machine dry microfiber cloth versus air drying. Keep the dryer on low heat, only. High heat can cause the towel fibers to melt or stiffen, ruining them.
What Do You Use to Wash Microfiber Towels?
Can You Use Dish Soap to Wash Microfiber Towels?
Never use dish soap to wash microfiber towels. Even your everyday laundry detergent can be too harsh for these delicate towels, containing fragrances and other chemicals that could damage the fibers.
What is the Best Soap for Washing Microfiber Towels?
When washing microfiber cloth, you always want to use a material-specific detergent. These detergents are designed specially for cleaning microfibers without damaging their delicate fibers. Our Microfiber Refresh Concentrated Detergent is an example of this. It is specifically formulated to clean microfiber towels and restore them to a like-new condition. This detergent is free of additives, like scent, softeners, and bleach. Microfiber wash detergents, like Microfiber Refresh, are safe to use with any residential or commercial washing machine, including HE and front-loading washers.
Can You Wash and Reuse Microfiber Towels?
If your microfiber towels are properly washed, dried, and stored, you should be able to reuse them hundreds of times or for a few years. To keep your towels in top condition, wash them after every use. You will know to retire your microfiber towels when they fail to absorb water or if they become rough to the touch. Additionally, you will want to throw away any microfiber towels that you have used to apply or wipe up a ceramic coating. These coatings will crystallize in the fibers, making the towels too rough to reuse.
Storing Freshly Cleaned Microfibers
Now that the microfiber towels are clean, store them in a clean container, free of dirt, dust, lint, and other debris. Never put away damp towels. Ensure all towels are completely dry before storing, to avoid the development of mold or mildew.
Conclusion: Proper Washing, Drying, and Storage of Your Microfibers Extends Their Life
Knowing how to wash microfiber towels for safe and proper car care can be confusing. To maintain quality microfiber towels, keep your towels separated by use case, use cold water and microfiber-specific detergent, machine dry completely, and store properly. If you continue to follow these tips, you can reuse your microfiber towels for years.