Microfibre drying cloths lose their ability?

[luvmyrv]

I have a couple of GG PFM drying cloths, they work very well, but have been around a while and seen lots of use. I always wash microfibre towels by themselves and my go to detergent for cleaning them is 3D Towel Clean. I dry them on a medium setting on the dryer. What I have found is that a couple of these GG drying cloths just don't seem to soak up water like they used to, seems I have to go over the area a few times now to get the water soaked up. Is this normal for microfibre drying cloths, do they lose their ability to soak up with time.

[Bill D]

Hmm. I'm stumped by this because I have the same towel which is about two years old and I have no problems. It still works just fine. I do avoid using drying aids if that could be a factor

[Eldorado2k]

Do you use any type of spray wax or quick detailer as you dry? That’ll diminish a towels ability to absorb after a while.

[luvmyrv]

No drying aids or spray waxes used with these guys. I do use spray wax but have separate microfibres for that.

[ducksfan]

No drying aids or spray waxes used with these guys. I do use spray wax but have separate microfibres for that.

I wouldn't rule out that the spray wax you're using is somewhat water soluble even after dry. The next time you wash and dry...

I'm just taking a guess. But, somethings contaminating them.

Also, when you say wash MF towels by themselves, are you washing your PFM's with the MF's you apply the spray wax with?

[Coatingsarecrack]

I’m guesing if your investing in a MF detergent then your not using Fabric softener. Make sure non are lurking in your dryer when you dry.

Try soaking them in a strong mix of towel kleen and laundry detergent overnight.


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[fly07sti]

^^^^great suggestion. I’d also like to add that you can always add a cup of white vinegar to a load.

[MisterSnoop]

I'd dry on low instead of medium.

[evo77]

Don't put those MF towels in the dryer at all.

If its a household dryer (which it likely is) then there is a chance there is a residual layer of fabric softener lined inside the tub. Its a small amount but may clog some of the fibers up over a period of time.

I really like the new Rags to Riches (https://www.autogeek.net/ps-double-black-rags-to-riches-detergent.html) MF cleaner. It has restored some of my non-absorbent MF towels by way of a deep cleansing which is sticking them in a 3 gallon bucket of water with a few ounces of the RtoR, soaking 24-48 hours. Then I put them in the washer with an ounce of RtoR with a repeat on the rinse cycle to remove all the soap. Then they hang dry.

I always hang dry my MF towels. I no longer use the dryer.

[fly07sti]

Don't put those MF towels in the dryer at all.

If its a household dryer (which it likely is) then there is a chance there is a residual layer of fabric softener lined inside the tub. Its a small amount but may clog some of the fibers up over a period of time.

I really like the new Rags to Riches (https://www.autogeek.net/ps-double-black-rags-to-riches-detergent.html) MF cleaner. It has restored some of my non-absorbent MF towels by way of a deep cleansing which is sticking them in a 3 gallon bucket of water with a few ounces of the RtoR, soaking 24-48 hours. Then I put them in the washer with an ounce of RtoR with a repeat on the rinse cycle to remove all the soap. Then they hang dry.

I always hang dry my MF towels. I no longer use the dryer.

I don’t have enough space on my property or inside my home to hang dry my MF’s. Also, don’t you worry about dust settling into your towels as they hang dry?
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20210913/df57fc10228a7e010c0d8eacd65d57d4.jpg
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20210913/34b0c28f5755c17772dc3a412bb4c56e.jpg



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[luvmyrv]

I wouldn't rule out that the spray wax you're using is somewhat water soluble even after dry. The next time you wash and dry...

I'm just taking a guess. But, somethings contaminating them.

Also, when you say wash MF towels by themselves, are you washing your PFM's with the MF's you apply the spray wax with?

We dont use fabric softener, not even with our everyday clothes. We use vinegar now, havent used fabric softener in years.
But yes , I do wash the PFM's with the other microfibre cloths, so they could very well be contaminated, hadn't thought of that! Maybe I will soak them in the dedicated MF detergent as another post suggested.

[DFB]

Don't put those MF towels in the dryer at all.

If its a household dryer (which it likely is) then there is a chance there is a residual layer of fabric softener lined inside the tub. Its a small amount but may clog some of the fibers up over a period of time.

I really like the new Rags to Riches (https://www.autogeek.net/ps-double-black-rags-to-riches-detergent.html) MF cleaner. It has restored some of my non-absorbent MF towels by way of a deep cleansing which is sticking them in a 3 gallon bucket of water with a few ounces of the RtoR, soaking 24-48 hours. Then I put them in the washer with an ounce of RtoR with a repeat on the rinse cycle to remove all the soap. Then they hang dry.

I always hang dry my MF towels. I no longer use the dryer.


I don’t have enough space on my property or inside my home to hang dry my MF’s. Also, don’t you worry about dust settling into your towels as they hang dry?
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20210913/df57fc10228a7e010c0d8eacd65d57d4.jpg
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20210913/34b0c28f5755c17772dc3a412bb4c56e.jpg



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I have just started using Rags to Riches, and echo the sentiments of it's ability to revive older towels. I was on a normal cycle in cold water. If a towel is especially dirty, then it will be pre-rinsed or soaked in detergent prior to going through the machine.

I also never use a dryer with microfibre. They are air dried indoors on a clothes horse to prevent contamination. If you are space limited, these fold away when not in use. I then inspect, fold and store these in air tight containers.

https://i.postimg.cc/mg9Pc4Qb/oct208.jpg (https://postimg.cc/HrpYKfZK)

https://i.postimg.cc/26gD2LBq/IMG-0327.jpg (https://postimg.cc/tZdwgTky)

Microfibre towels are ultimately what touch the various surfaces of the car, to me it's extremely important to care for these as best as I can.


To the OP, I would be soaking these towels in your microfibre cleaner for a while then putting them through a wash cycle on their own. If they are not revived from this process then it's time to move them on.

[Coatingsarecrack]

I don’t have enough space on my property or inside my home to hang dry my MF’s. Also, don’t you worry about dust settling into your towels as they hang dry?
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20210913/df57fc10228a7e010c0d8eacd65d57d4.jpg
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20210913/34b0c28f5755c17772dc3a412bb4c56e.jpg



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I feel as though if armageddon hits you will have the detailing market cornered.....


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[Coatingsarecrack]

I dry in a dryer that dries regular clothes and uses fabric softener on only loads for underwear and such.

I wash all my towels except junk and wheel towels together. I use drying aids (Ammo hydrate, TW WW, CG Afterwash, QD’s and sealants) with my PFM’s

After 2 years they work like new.

I think it’s my wash regimen. And Griots Microfiber wash direction.

I wash on hot which the recommend as all the hoopla about washing your MF in hot will damage them hasn’t been a thing.

I’ve been mixing 1:1 Griots MFW and F&C detergent per there recommedation again. I’ve been adding white vinegar to the wash not the rinse per Fly07.

I feel the hot water helps break down sealant, waxes and QD’s along with the vinegar. The two detergents work in different ways.

Extra rinse.

I do a hybrid dry as i feel the towels aren’t soft as when tumbled dry. I dry on lowest setting for 20 mins which fluffs them up. The come out damp then hang them up inside like DFB does.

I’ve been using same towels since 2018/19.

I rotate between a XL, 28x20 green boarder and 2 16x16 and 2 cheap 28x20 500gsm MTM duplex (got during Christmas this year for $8..... wish i woulda bought 20 they been great. Will dry a rav4 size car completely)

Whenever AG had that awesome MF sale I stocked up on PFM’s. 2 more XL, 3 more teal boarder and 5 (2) packs of 16x16.

Because the old towels are doing so well the sit there new in the pack.

I also bought way 2 much MF detergent then.... gallon of Mckee’s, towel kleen and griots still sealed. Added R2R to the mix but save that for pre soak now.

Sorry rambled on but OP after soak wash on hot in your process. You’ve got nothing to loose and it will help. Also if you use one MF detergent P&S R2R is worth it


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[fly07sti]

^^^Sounds like you need more MF’s to use all that detergent on.