Cleaning MF towels and Sponges?

nchan50 · 05-10-2011, 10:24 AM

I ordered several Leather Master products to clean/protect my seats and was wondering how all of you clean the sponges and MF towels after usage. Do you just hand wash with some laundry detergent or is there a better method/cleaner? Thanks for your help!

aznclickster · 05-10-2011, 10:54 AM

i hand wash my mf clothes with laundry detergent and hang dry

m3heaven · 05-10-2011, 11:05 AM

There is MF towel soap you can buy. I use the one from chemical guys. No problems so far.

Moxie · 05-10-2011, 11:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by m3heaven

There is MF towel soap you can buy. I use the one from chemical guys. No problems so far.

I use the same soap w/o any issues. You are not to use fabric softner.

MuttGrunt · 05-10-2011, 11:37 AM

What the above stated already. Also keep in mind that with your leather care stuff, it isn't as important to have everything carefully done as with the tools and equipment you'll use on your paint. The urethane coating on your leather isn't going to get swirls.

Ridonculous · 05-10-2011, 01:37 PM

You should also toss the MF towels into the dryer instead of hang drying. The dryer makes them fluffy again. And remember not to use any dryer sheets/fabric softener.

Also, you'll only want to use the cleanest towels for paint, so I also like to separate my towels before washing into two groups: "still good for paint" or "not good for paint". The not good for paint towels are used for interior, windows or wheels, etc.

Grail05 · 05-10-2011, 02:12 PM

WTF: special soap for the MF? i use TIDE and dry it with fabric softner smells good and its softer than when new. LOL

Singletrack · 05-10-2011, 03:10 PM

Fabric softener is just oil in most cases. So it diminishes the performance of the MF

dirtyfreebooter · 05-10-2011, 03:37 PM

I use Tide Free (usually a small amount, below the "1" mark) and I usually enable the extra rinse cycle, since the towels have more residue and dirt than standard clothes laundry. The extra rinse is as much for the towels, as it is to help ensure the washer itself doesn't have any leftover junk that could get on the next load of clothes.

For drying, I sometimes hang dry or use the dryer (low heat, wrinkle free cycle). Just don't use fabric softener.

nchan50 · 05-10-2011, 04:14 PM

Thanks for the input guys!

avalon652 · 05-10-2011, 07:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sean05

WTF: special soap for the MF? i use TIDE and dry it with fabric softner smells good and its softer than when new. LOL

I used drier sheets with my first set of microfibers...now they repel water lol. Oh well good excuse for some new cobras

leo95se · 05-10-2011, 08:11 PM

ive found that using the washing machine messes up towels. there is still a trace of softener in the machine, which destroys the towels.
my rule of thumb: if they dont snag your fingers when you rub em, or if they leave funny streaks/lint on your windows (even if a 'paint' cloth) its time to hand it to the wife for a dust rag.

Race_Doc11 · 05-10-2011, 08:25 PM

Chemical guys
http://www.chemicalguys.com/Microfib..._p/cws_201.htm

Quote:

Originally Posted by nchan50

I ordered several Leather Master products to clean/protect my seats and was wondering how all of you clean the sponges and MF towels after usage. Do you just hand wash with some laundry detergent or is there a better method/cleaner? Thanks for your help!

AutoCon · 05-10-2011, 09:51 PM

Not mentioned is the use of distilled white vinegar, which will keep the towels soft. Low heat short cycle 10min-12 for paint MF towels and 15min for the rest, also depends on the make of your dryer but hang drying will not keep the towels as soft.

sensi09 · 05-10-2011, 10:25 PM

You can run the washer through another rinse before washing if you're worried.

Dryer sheets will leave a film on the MF that will show up when you use the MF on paint.

05-10-2011, 10:24 AM	#1
nchan50 Second Lieutenant 7 Rep 210 Posts Drives: 2009 JzB/FR e92 M3 Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: NJ iTrader: (0)	Cleaning MF towels and Sponges? I ordered several Leather Master products to clean/protect my seats and was wondering how all of you clean the sponges and MF towels after usage. Do you just hand wash with some laundry detergent or is there a better method/cleaner? Thanks for your help!
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05-10-2011, 10:54 AM	#2
aznclickster Second Lieutenant 13 Rep 242 Posts Drives: E92 ///M Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Houston, TX iTrader: (0) Garage List [0.00]	i hand wash my mf clothes with laundry detergent and hang dry __________________
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05-10-2011, 11:05 AM	#3
m3heaven Major 180 Rep 1,245 Posts Drives: 2003.5 E46 M3 Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Los Angeles, CA iTrader: (10)	There is MF towel soap you can buy. I use the one from chemical guys. No problems so far.
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05-10-2011, 11:37 AM	#5
MuttGrunt Banned 27 Rep 872 Posts Drives: beater;) Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: SE Michigan iTrader: (0)	What the above stated already. Also keep in mind that with your leather care stuff, it isn't as important to have everything carefully done as with the tools and equipment you'll use on your paint. The urethane coating on your leather isn't going to get swirls.
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05-10-2011, 01:37 PM	#6
Ridonculous 1 Addict 8 Rep 131 Posts Drives: BMW 135i Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Arizona iTrader: (0)	You should also toss the MF towels into the dryer instead of hang drying. The dryer makes them fluffy again. And remember not to use any dryer sheets/fabric softener. Also, you'll only want to use the cleanest towels for paint, so I also like to separate my towels before washing into two groups: "still good for paint" or "not good for paint". The not good for paint towels are used for interior, windows or wheels, etc.
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05-10-2011, 02:12 PM	#7
Grail05 Putcha ang ganda... 281 Rep 5,441 Posts Drives: 17 F82 M4 Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Los Angeles, Brea CA. iTrader: (10)	WTF: special soap for the MF? i use TIDE and dry it with fabric softner smells good and its softer than when new. LOL __________________
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05-10-2011, 03:10 PM	#8
Singletrack 4th down; 4th quarter? Renegade. 87 Rep 3,850 Posts Drives: 09 SSII E92 M3; 19 FG M5C Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Pittsburgh, PA iTrader: (3)	Fabric softener is just oil in most cases. So it diminishes the performance of the MF
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05-10-2011, 03:37 PM	#9
dirtyfreebooter Captain 341 Rep 655 Posts Drives: Vespa Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Boulder, CO iTrader: (2)	I use Tide Free (usually a small amount, below the "1" mark) and I usually enable the extra rinse cycle, since the towels have more residue and dirt than standard clothes laundry. The extra rinse is as much for the towels, as it is to help ensure the washer itself doesn't have any leftover junk that could get on the next load of clothes. For drying, I sometimes hang dry or use the dryer (low heat, wrinkle free cycle). Just don't use fabric softener.
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05-10-2011, 04:14 PM	#10
nchan50 Second Lieutenant 7 Rep 210 Posts Drives: 2009 JzB/FR e92 M3 Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: NJ iTrader: (0)	Thanks for the input guys!
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05-10-2011, 08:11 PM	#12
leo95se Captain 126 Rep 938 Posts Drives: '09 e92 M3, '15 F15 X5d Join Date: May 2009 Location: CT iTrader: (3)	ive found that using the washing machine messes up towels. there is still a trace of softener in the machine, which destroys the towels. my rule of thumb: if they dont snag your fingers when you rub em, or if they leave funny streaks/lint on your windows (even if a 'paint' cloth) its time to hand it to the wife for a dust rag.
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05-10-2011, 09:51 PM	#14
AutoCon Private First Class 5 Rep 105 Posts Drives: Toyota Tacoma X-Runner Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Pleasanton, CA iTrader: (0)	Not mentioned is the use of distilled white vinegar, which will keep the towels soft. Low heat short cycle 10min-12 for paint MF towels and 15min for the rest, also depends on the make of your dryer but hang drying will not keep the towels as soft.
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05-10-2011, 10:25 PM	#15
sensi09 Lieutenant Colonel 30 Rep 1,789 Posts Drives: . Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: socal iTrader: (1)	You can run the washer through another rinse before washing if you're worried. Dryer sheets will leave a film on the MF that will show up when you use the MF on paint.
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