Several times a week, it seems we get questions about how to wash MFs or microfibers, cotton towels, and foam applicators. I'm hoping you all will agree it would be good to have a thread where we could all post our recommendations, in order to create a thread to which we could direct all newbies.
I know there are many techniques, and surely you all will shoot down some of my recommendations ... so I embark upon this enterprise with some trepidation. Nonetheless, here goes:
General Washing Tips
Use only liquid detergents. Powders can leave undissoved particles that will embed themselves in the detailing clothes.
Cleaning Microfibers or MFs
Most Autopians wash in warm water (though some wash in hot). The key is to avoid any bleach -- and especially avoid using any fabric softener. (This also includes avoiding fabric-softener sheets!) To dry them, some dry on low in the dryer, and others line-dry; both report excellent results, so it seems to be a matter of personal taste and preference. If you opt for machine-drying, some folks remove from the dryer before the cycle ends, to avoid over-drying. In general, the goal is to get a MF that is still soft and absorbent. My own experience suggests that if you run the cloth through the entire drying cycle, the MF is a bit stiff; removing it while still damp, then line-drying, seems to produce softer MF.
Washing Cotton Towels
As with MFs, some wash in warm, and some wash in hot. Avoid bleaches and fabric softeners. As for drying: Some people report a good result from partially drying in an automatic dryer, then hanging on a line to finish drying. My own experience suggests that if you run the cloth through the entire drying cycle, the towel is a bit stiff; removing it while still damp, then line-drying, seems to produce softer results.
Washing Foam Applicators
I wash my foam applicators in with my cotton towels. Others on Autopia may be more fastidious and segregate them. If so, please post your comments and suggestions.
Pre-Washing
Autopians have various methods for soaking or pre-washing. Some pre-soak their clothes for up to 24 hours in water, many expressing a preference in a Dawn solution, in order to cut the detergents, solvents, etc. that may be in the clothes. I have not needed any of these methods, but hope that other Autopians will chime in.
OK, fellow Autopians, please chime in with your pre-washing, washing, and drying tips and tricks. I hope this will prove useful to somebody.
I know there are many techniques, and surely you all will shoot down some of my recommendations ... so I embark upon this enterprise with some trepidation. Nonetheless, here goes:
General Washing Tips
Use only liquid detergents. Powders can leave undissoved particles that will embed themselves in the detailing clothes.
Cleaning Microfibers or MFs
Most Autopians wash in warm water (though some wash in hot). The key is to avoid any bleach -- and especially avoid using any fabric softener. (This also includes avoiding fabric-softener sheets!) To dry them, some dry on low in the dryer, and others line-dry; both report excellent results, so it seems to be a matter of personal taste and preference. If you opt for machine-drying, some folks remove from the dryer before the cycle ends, to avoid over-drying. In general, the goal is to get a MF that is still soft and absorbent. My own experience suggests that if you run the cloth through the entire drying cycle, the MF is a bit stiff; removing it while still damp, then line-drying, seems to produce softer MF.
Washing Cotton Towels
As with MFs, some wash in warm, and some wash in hot. Avoid bleaches and fabric softeners. As for drying: Some people report a good result from partially drying in an automatic dryer, then hanging on a line to finish drying. My own experience suggests that if you run the cloth through the entire drying cycle, the towel is a bit stiff; removing it while still damp, then line-drying, seems to produce softer results.
Washing Foam Applicators
I wash my foam applicators in with my cotton towels. Others on Autopia may be more fastidious and segregate them. If so, please post your comments and suggestions.
Pre-Washing
Autopians have various methods for soaking or pre-washing. Some pre-soak their clothes for up to 24 hours in water, many expressing a preference in a Dawn solution, in order to cut the detergents, solvents, etc. that may be in the clothes. I have not needed any of these methods, but hope that other Autopians will chime in.
OK, fellow Autopians, please chime in with your pre-washing, washing, and drying tips and tricks. I hope this will prove useful to somebody.