Microfiber washing: Vinegar/baking soda?

[Ricorocks]

@Faulsky +1 - Yes I don't want to try & time, it so as to ready with the vinegar. My wife has not used Fabric Softener in over a year. I believe running vinegar, nothing in the tub would, clean any residual F.S. Perhaps two times, just vinegar, in F.S. dispenser drawer.

F.S. is normally added by the machine during the rinse cycle, I believe could be wrong, adding an extra rinse, the vinegar would go in on the first rinse.

Never thought about not being able to open the door mid cycle.

My LG front loader, has a "tub clean" function. How often do you guys use this? My manual says to add bleach, to the detergent dispencer, then press "tub clean" button.

Also check out this Mike Phillps trained MF, guide:

http://www.incrediblydetailed.com/mi...ofiber-towels/

Also I like Wolfgang MF Wash, as it's designed for he machines.

Also for drying I use a drying rack, no dryer

[spagett]

Thanks for all the responses, everyone! I've already learned a lot reading through them.

My main concern here is care for MF towels that appear to be holding some detergent residue and are no longer performing as they should. I just got a wash started and will add some vinegar for the rinse cycle as recommended. As soon as I get a chance to try them out again, I'll report back with the results. My guess is they will be greatly improved as I've never used vinegar.

[SameGuy]

Any "free & clear" detergent (no softeners, bleach or fragrances) should work fine, but consider one of the MF-friendly detergents like MicroRestore.

I wash in an old (non-HE) top-loader, regular cycle, hot water (my hot normally doesn't get past 120°F) and extra rinse. I but a half cup of white vinegar in the top of the agitator spindle, the "softener dispenser," which gets dispersed before the first rinse. I dry on low heat, more because I use low for everything else than because I'm worried about the heat. The towels will withstand high heat just fine.

The better towels (Cobra Super Jrs. And Eagle edgelesses) get the 3M lint roller treatment (the Smack Method) before folding and being put away in a fairly well sealed box. The rest of the towels (glass, utility and dirty-job) just get stuffed in plastic bags.

[asianisafish]

Just make sure not to use to much vinegar, you're washer could have a lingering smell

[feslope]

What does the vinegar accomplish? Vinegar is acidic, does it have, to do with hard water? Would soft water wash, make vinegar un-necessary?

Every instruction video, I've seen says:

Hot Water Wash
Low Temp dry

The only thing vinegar might do is help neutralize the detergent and leave a deposit in the towels if not thoroughly rinsed out. IMHO most people would be better served by trying less detergent and hotter water, especially HE machines which use less water in their wash cycle.

[SameGuy]

Most soaps are mildly caustic. The mildly acidic white vinegar helps neutralize any residual soap and it rinses away cleanly. Don't just go by what you think might be happening, try it out and tell me it doesn't make a difference. I've been washing the same Cobras that way for five years and they look and feel as good as new, never a single issue.

[SameGuy]

What's with, all, the, commas?

[SameGuy]

Just make sure not to use to much vinegar, you're washer could have a lingering smell

Vinegar rinses out, there is no lingering smell.

[FUNX650]

What does the vinegar accomplish?

Vinegar is an all-natural fabric softener.


Bob

[frankprozzoly]

I put a little bit of apc along with a little free and clear. Sometimes I use vinegar for rinse. I don't know if the apc helps with the cleaning process or not but I don't think it'll hurt anything.