Microfiber 101 with DFB

[young at heart]

Should really use cold water with microfiber towels and rags. Hot water damages the fibers.

That‘s for sure the current wisdom directly from TRC. But I do wonder if a little bit of heat might facilitate getting protection products, especially Si02, to ”turn loose” from the MF fibers. Sometimes, depending on which expert you’re watching a video of, what-to-do guidance can be a little ambiguous. Depending on who you’re watching it’s even unclear as to which products cause a clogging problem in the first place. TRC tech support is no clearer. Some say only sealants and Si02 stuff clog while others say anything protective to include wax, polymers, etc. will clog the fibers.

As DFB5.0 pointed out, yeah I‘m probably overthinking it. But when you’re talking about $5-6 towels proper care becomes important. Especially if like me physical limitations dictate that you have to get by with waterless washes.
This whole thing is its own rabbit hole and while I want my cars to look good I’d a whole lot rather be spending my time riding!

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[MAGS1]

That‘s for sure the current wisdom directly from TRC. But I do wonder if a little bit of heat might facilitate getting protection products, especially Si02, to ”turn loose” from the MF fibers. Sometimes, depending on which expert you’re watching a video of, what-to-do guidance can be a little ambiguous. Depending on who you’re watching it’s even unclear as to which products cause a clogging problem in the first place. TRC tech support is no clearer. Some say only sealants and Si02 stuff clog while others say anything protective to include wax, polymers, etc. will clog the fibers.

As DFB5.0 pointed out, yeah I‘m probably overthinking it. But when you’re talking about $5-6 towels proper care becomes important. Especially if like me physical limitations dictate that you have to get by with waterless washes.
This whole thing is its own rabbit hole and while I want my cars to look good I’d a whole lot rather be spending my time riding!

I typically soak them in a bucket of water and Rags to Riches immediately after use while the products are still “fresh” and haven’t dried. Then I put them in the washing machine on cold wash with Rags to Riches yet again. The only real one time use is with ceramic coatings IMO. And even then you can try soaking them right away to try to dilute out whatever amount of coating/application fluid is on the rag.

Microfiber is essentially a plastic, so heat will damage them. I always wash cold and then hang dry.

 

[Bikeman315]

Well there is this…..Hot, warm or cold, your choice.

https://adamspolishes.com/blogs/new...ber detergent,not clean towels as effectively.

https://www.chemicalguys.com/produc...5XLxD30ULkS4dJzVIWdu_UUIyyTkP-gnjMSZdgCP7limg

https://www.westchesterdetailing.co...e rule for,lose their softness and absorbency.

 

[GrabberBargeCaptain]

Should really use cold water with microfiber towels and rags. Hot water damages the fibers.

I’ve heard that. Maybe some washing machines but every one I’ve tried has done no damage, and hot water does a better job of getting all the crap out of them. Like I’ve said, same towels for years all in good plush shape.

maybe some people crank up the water heater too high.
Most washing machines have a sanitary setting that gets the water even hotter, which I don’t use.

 

[skinnyb]

I typically pick middle of the road "warm" on mine. Half and half like my Tea. A little sweet a little not. Works great for me Just enough hot to break down the contaminants but not enough to damage anything... And for the record, my hot water heater is set to HOT... It will scald ya straight out of the tap I like it that way. No children, just me in the house so it works for me

 

[GrabberBargeCaptain]

I typically pick middle of the road "warm" on mine. Half and half like my Tea. A little sweet a little not. Works great for me Just enough hot to break down the contaminants but not enough to damage anything... And for the record, my hot water heater is set to HOT... It will scald ya straight out of the tap I like it that way. No children, just me in the house so it works for me

yeah that makes sense. Probably why they dont recommend ppl use hot on the washing machine, too many variables

 

[DFB5.0]

As DFB5.0 pointed out, yeah I‘m probably overthinking it. But when you’re talking about $5-6 towels proper care becomes important. Especially if like me physical limitations dictate that you have to get by with waterless washes.

I feel like I need to apologize for my shortness with that reply, have been under a lot of unnecessary stress in the last week or so. The irony of it being that overthinking is kinda my MO!

 

[DFB5.0]

In terms of microfiber care/washing, I have a thread on that subject -
Microfiber Towel Care | 2015+ S550 Mustang Forum (GT, EcoBoost, GT350, GT500, Bullitt, Mach 1) - Mustang6G.com

Also, this is the information TRC publish on their website, and a video link as well. Of note, they suggest using cold to warm water, and if using a dryer, use no/low heat.

Care Instructions

Microfiber Care Instructions | The Rag Company

- Always wash new microfiber towels prior to first use to remove any loose factory production fibers.

- Always wash newer black, orange, and red colored towels separately from lighter colored towels to avoid any risk of bleeding.

- Rags to Riches is a detergent specifically designed for Microfiber and is highly recommended to keep your towels soft, clean and bright!

- All microfiber towels from The Rag Company are machine washable. Do not exceed 104⁰F (40⁰C) at the risk of damaging the fibers leaving them much less effective.

• Machine Wash in Warm Water with a Mild, Clean-Rinsing Liquid Detergent that is as Free of Dyes and Perfumes as Possible
• Tumble Dry Low Heat / No Heat or Hang to Dry
• Do NOT Iron
• Do NOT Use Any Fabric Softener as this Clogs the Microfibers and Reduces Performance
• Do NOT Use Chlorine Bleach as this Prematurely Breaks Down the Fibers and Reduces/Eliminates the Valuable Dust & Dirt Collecting Electrical Charge of Microfiber
• ONLY Wash with other Non-Linting Materials (NO Cotton!) to Maintain Proper Water and Dirt-Gripping Properties and Lint-Free Characteristics
• SORT Microfiber Towels Similar To Your Regular Laundry Process: DON'T Wash Brightly Colored (Red, Orange) or Black Towels with Lightly Colored (Light Blue, Yellow) or White Towels as Bleeding May Occur with Newer Towels
• ADVICE: Keep used/dirty microfiber towels in a separate bin from your regular laundry to reduce the risk of accidentally damaging your valuable microfiber by washing them together

In terms of sealants (of any type, including ceramic), the problem tends arise when the product has been left to "set up" in the fibers. That's why washing shortly after use is important, but you can buy yourself some time by having what Mike Phillips calls a “clean dirty bucket”. This is a separate, clean bucket used to store used towels before washing. In other words, a laundry basket. A gamma seal lid would be ideal here to prevent them drying out.

Gamma Seal Lid – gritguard.com
Grit Guard Bucket Dolly - Heavy Duty 5-Caster 3.5, 4, 5, 6, 7 buckets – gritguard.com

(Also available on Amazon)

 

[young at heart]

I feel like I need to apologize for my shortness with that reply, have been under a lot of unnecessary stress in the last week or so. The irony of it being that overthinking is kinda my MO!

No worries my friend and hope your stress diminishes.

We’re all fortunate to be able to learn from your level of passion on the topic!

 

[kilobravo]

So D (@DFB5.00) any updated info on the delivery bote?

 

[DFB5.0]

So D (@DFB5.00) any updated info on the delivery bote?

After 2 years and 11 days, or 742 days, it's finally on Australian soil!

I've had a terrible week, situations I never, ever want to experience again. You know, I think we all know about our own foibles and character quirks, but it's never pleasant to have them aggressively thrown in your face in front of your peers. I have some decisions to make during the next three months.

 

[young at heart]

After 2 years and 11 days, or 742 days, it's finally on Australian soil!

I've had a terrible week, situations I never, ever want to experience again. You know, I think we all know about our own foibles and character quirks, but it's never pleasant to have them aggressively thrown in your face in front of your peers. I have some decisions to make during the next three months.

Life circumstances can often be hard. Real hard.

But I’m betting you have the resilience to get through the tunnel to the other side.

 

[kilobravo]

After 2 years and 11 days, or 742 days, it's finally on Australian soil!

Hot DAMN that's wonderful news, amigo you GOTTA be psyched!

As for what else is going on, and I presume it has to do with work, this too shall pass.

Now, get those cameras ready! Have a guess as to how long it will be before it arrives at the dealer?

 

[GrabberBargeCaptain]

I had a coupon at Griots and bought one of their excellent PFM drying towels-instructions say wash in hot water. Of course they also say to use their special microfiber and foam pad cleaner can't just use any ole soap eh? sometimes I hate the detailing industry lol.

 

[Bikeman315]

I had a coupon at Griots and bought one of their excellent PFM drying towels-instructions say wash in hot water. Of course they also say to use their special microfiber and foam pad cleaner can't just use any ole soap eh? sometimes I hate the detailing industry lol.

Although you “can” use any ole soap to clean your microfiber towels you shouldn’t. I started using Rags to Riches not that long ago and the difference is highly noticeable. Try it yourself and see.

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