The microfiber towels are the most important tools in the detailing industry. They are often overlooked, but they could be your most used tools.
You may notice a decrease in their quality after a few washes. They may not pick up as much water or leave lint or other particles on your beautiful paint.
Even though they are rated for 500 washes and will still look soiled after a few washes, you can find the best.
To keep microfiber fluffy and fresh, you will need to maintain it in the same way as when you first opened the package.
This article will answer all your questions regarding microfiber towel maintenance and washing. Let’s get started.
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What Is Microfiber And Why Is It So Good?
The microfiber towel, or microfiber cloth, has caused a revolution in the detailing business. They are great for washing and drying. Microfiber is extremely soft and can be used on body paint, trim, interior, wheels and engine bay. Microfiber is a great material for waxing, polishing, and coating. A car detailing job is incomplete without at least two towels.
How Is Microfiber Made?
Microfiber is a synthetic fabric made from a mixture of polyester and polyamide. This is the main ingredient in synthetic clothing. Both are types of plastic.
Polyester is tough and strong, can withstand abrasion and most chemicals, mildew and is easy to wash and dry. Polyamide provides softness, flexibility, strength, durability, and extra strength.
These two plastics are combined in a precise proportion to create a yarn. The yarn can then be woven into various patterns by weaving it.
The most common ratios are 70/30 and 20% polyamide 80%. Higher levels of polyester will give you more scrubbing power. The more absorbent and plush the towel, the higher the polyamide.
We could stop here. The towels would have similar properties as a cotton towel, with a fair amount of water absorption, cleaning power, but not near the amazing performance of microfiber.
Splitting is the process that creates microfibers. The chemical reaction is used to make the microfibers. For better quality products, the final thickness can be as low as 10 micrometers. A single human hair can be between 17 and 180 micrometers in thickness.
Properties For Microfiber Products
These tiny fibers create an absurdly large surface area that is four times larger than a cotton cloth. This allows dirt and water to stick to the material better. Microfiber can also hold seven-fold its weight in water.
Electrostatic attraction is a key property.
Polyester and polyamide are able to form opposite electrical charges when they are rubbed together.
Static electricity is formed between the fibers and attracts dirt, bacteria, dust, and other small solid particles.
The fibers’ tight structure creates a capillary effect, drawing water and dissolved dirt into the center until they are forcefully washed.
The weave’s density is another important property for microfiber products.
GSM stands for grams per square meter. GSM does not indicate the quality of the material, but it does give an indication of how the product will perform.
GSM between 300 and 400 is the sweet spot. This gives you a good mix of softness, water absorption and durability.
How To Properly Wash Microfiber Towels
Microfiber is a marvel material. However, it must be properly washed and maintained to preserve its properties.
These towels are not something you can just throw in with your laundry and hope for a good result. If you have fewer than a dozen microfiber towels, it’s best just to hand-wash them all.
Separated Microfibers Based on Their Purpose
Microfiber products can’t be washed with any other fabrics. With each wash, cotton, linen, and organic materials create a lot of lint. It will be picked up by the microfiber, which then becomes completely useless.
Also, you can’t wash all your microfiber towels together. You will need to separate the towels based on their use. Although this sounds complicated, consider the following:
What if you dried your car using the same towel that you used to polish the wheels with? What about waxing and degreasing your car with the same cloth? Consider the towels you use around your engine bay.
This is something you wouldn’t think of doing, so why do you put them all in the washer? This will only make them more clogged and soiled.
Towels for drying are virtually dirt-free. These towels can be thrown together.
No matter how you use the foam cannon or two-bucket, wash mitts will always carry dirt and particles. Window cleaners that are alcohol-based evaporate quickly.
However, the towel will retain dirt and other particles. These can be put in another pile.
Buffing cloths could be potentially loaded with quick detailers, waxes, polishes, and ceramic coatings. All of these products are different.
Although the towels may look identical, they require separate washes.
It is the most difficult to clean towels in the engine bay, undercarriage or door jambs. These should be washed separately from all other items.
The washing machine will pick up grease, dirt and other grime depending on how dirty the towels are. After each use, wipe the machine clean.
Detergent
Always use a mild liquid detergent. Look for laundry detergents that are skin-sensitive or baby friendly at your local supermarket. Do not use any conditioners, bleaches or scents. You only need the detergent.
This is a hassle that is unnecessary. It is possible to avoid this by washing extra-dirty towels immediately after they are used in warm water with extra detergent.
When you are done, wash them in warm water and extra detergent.
Hand-washing towels will make it easier to clean them and prolong their life expectancy.
Fabric softeners can clog the structure of microfibers and make towels less effective at picking up water. It’s almost like if the towels were coated with wax.
Bleaches can cause fiber damage and accelerate the towel’s deterioration, leaving behind lint particles and other contaminants.
The powder detergents are not always fully dissolved in water. Powder detergents that aren’t fully dissolved in water can stick to microfiber fabrics and leave streaks on the glass. Only use liquid detergents.
There are some laundry detergents made specifically for microfibers. They are safe and gentle on fabric.
However, don’t fall for anything that claims to restore or enhance microfiber.
If you wash your clothes in a machine, you can put a little vinegar in the fabric softener container. Or, you can apply it directly to the towel if washing them by hand. This will loosen any hard-crushed dirt, minerals, or grease.
Washing Machine Setup
It’s time for you to load your laundry into the washer.
Detailers know they need to monitor their washing temperatures, but it is uncommon for fibers to melt when heated. Both polyamide and polyester have melting temperatures between 400-500 degrees Fahrenheit. Normal washing machines can only wash at 140 degrees F.
To clean your towels of dirt and contamination, heat up as much as necessary. Exposure to high temperatures for a prolonged period of time can cause microfibers to become tangled and create dreadlocks.
The towel will lose its softness and absorbency properties over time.
Use the lowest heat setting possible. Use cold water to wash QD, window towels, or dry towels. For wax, sealant and polish towels, use the warm setting.
The hot setting should be reserved for towels with heavy loads
Drying Microfiber Towels
This is where you can get more from your microfiber towels.
Some dryers can reach over 170 degrees Fahrenheit. Microfiber will quickly lose its properties and you don’t want it to get too hot.
It’s best not to rush to dry your microfiber.
If you really have to use the dryer, choose the lowest heat setting for your dryer to avoid drying the microfiber towels completely.
To avoid overheating, get them out of the dryer a little dampened and dry them on a rack or line overnight.
Do not use dryer sheets. Double-check your load for other fabrics, papers, or materials. Before drying, make sure to clean the lint trap.
Some Tips For Maintaining Microfibers
You could be lose track about which towels go in which loads and what settings you use. Here are some helpful tips to make your microfiber towels last longer.
Color-Coding
Detailers love to color code towels. For example, they might use green towels for drying, blue towels for waxing, and red ones on the engine.
You can keep track of which towel is where, and it will make it easier to wash them.
Choose The Right Towel To Do The Right Job
Another strategy is to sort your towels. You simply need a brand-new towel to use on the delicate painted surfaces.
It can be downgraded for interior use, followed by the wheels and under the hood, if it has lost its soft, plushy texture.
This will ensure that you are always using high-quality towels in places where they matter most and you get the most from each towel you buy.
This route will let you to keep track of which towels are being used, and also provide you with color-coded or clearly labeled containers.
Summary
It’s not difficult to wash microfiber towels. You can get the most out of your microfiber towels by following a few rules and good habits.
Just 4 Steps:
- Depending on the use of each towel and what products are mixed into it, you can separate microfiber towels into lots.
- You should use a mild liquid detergent without softeners, bleaches or perfumes. A pure, pH-neutral detergent is what you want.
- When washing microfiber towels, use the minimum heat. Although you can wash towels up to 140 degrees F, this will cause them to deteriorate over time. Use colder water to get the best use of your towels.
- Use the lowest heat setting on your dryer to dry microfiber towels. Let them dry a bit and then hang them up on the line for overnight.