Washing your Microfiber Towels

[BobbyG]

doesn't the vinegar make the towels stink?

No, not at all. By using 1/2 cup on the small load setting there isn't one hint of odor once the towels are finished rinsing and dried.

The white vinegar acts as a natural fabric softener that does change the properties or clog the MF towels.

Try it once. You may be surprised.

I suspect what Troy meant here is the vinegar doesn't change the towels properties or clog the MF towels.

 

[holland_patrick]

Doesn't really matter as i don't mind pickles...LOL

 

[Todd@RUPES]

I used to use tide free or Woolite and always had good results. Then I tried a dedicated microfiber detergent and haven't looked back.

 

[CT3]

I used to use tide free or Woolite and always had good results. Then I tried a dedicated microfiber detergent and haven't looked back.

What would be the biggest difference between the two, that would justify purchasing a separate product? Thanks

 

[mwtaco]

When I hear the washer draining after its wash cycle, I'll listen for it to spin and once it stops that's the rinse cycle and in it goes...:bigups

ok. thanks bobby. im going to try out this tip on my next wash load.

 

[mwtaco]

What I do is to let the washer run it's full cycle until it stops. Then I add the vinegar and resert the dial to rinse and restart the machine. If you have never looked you would be amazed at how much soap is left behind with only one rinse cycle.

ok. thanks. ill have to take a closer look at my machine.

 

[Todd@RUPES]

What would be the biggest difference between the two, that would justify purchasing a separate product? Thanks

Chemically I have no idea. This is one of those areas that I have not had the time to research at all.

I can tell you that the microfiber comes cleaner using a dedicated cleaner and that the fabric is softer/fluffier.

If you take a bucket filled with with a touch of vinegar and dunk a microfiber towel in it (after washing with a detergent) you may be surprised at the amount of soap residues that are released. When I have done the same with a microfiber towel washed with a microfiber cleaner almost no residue was released. I no longer add vinegar to my rinse cycle.

 

[Bunky]

When I have done the same with a microfiber towel washed with a microfiber cleaner almost no residue was released. I no longer add vinegar to my rinse cycle.

I am confused. You say you NO longer add vinegar. Did you mean to say you do since it does remove soap residue?

 

[Mr. Gloss]

I prefer Charlie's Soap. No soak required as it cuts oils, grease, wax, etc.

I do rinse with vinegar. Thanks to someone who mentioned it last year.

Dry at 30 minutes, medium temp.

Before drying, I wipe the drum with alcohol to remove any fabric softener left behind by dryer sheets or dryer balls.

 

[rzatch]

Bunky the way i'm reading it is he is saying that he doesn't add it now because using a microfiber cleaner there is no residue relesed so there is no need for the vinegar. I always understood the vinegar to be a natual softener. Since I always do a double rinse I just figured the extra rinse cycle took out the residue not the vinegar.

 

[Mr. Gloss]

Todd,

Nice photoshop on that towel!:rofl

Send me a dirty towel like that and I'll wash it in Micro Restore and see if I get the same results.

 

[BobbyG]

Bunky the way i'm reading it is he is saying that he doesn't add it now because using a microfiber cleaner there is no residue relesed so there is no need for the vinegar. I always understood the vinegar to be a natual softener. Since I always do a double rinse I just figured the extra rinse cycle took out the residue not the vinegar.

Whether or not vinegar is a natural softener, since I started using it my towels have never been softer.

I've performed this test with both the OxiClean product I mentioned and Pinnacle Micro Rejuvenator and by adding white vinegar to the rinse both are much more softer than without it..

 

[glen e]

I'll send this way off topic and tell you for 20 years yacht owners (or their staff) mix 1/4 cup of white vinegar into their 5 gall wash bucket with boat soap. Almost eliminates the water spots when drying...and no, it does not cut wax at that strength..

ps....boat smelled fine after washing.....

 

[blk5.0]

I just did a load of mf towels and added in some white vinegar once I'm home I will see it I can tell any difference in them

 

[Rocket]

I use a dedicated microfiber detergent. Right now I have micro restore and once I'm out of it I have a big bottle of DP.

 

[Todd@RUPES]

Todd,

Nice photoshop on that towel!:rofl

Send me a dirty towel like that and I'll wash it in Micro Restore and see if I get the same results.

If you look at the towel in the after you can see the fiber is matted down from being wet. Micro-restore wasn't used.

 

[Gurge]

microfiber detergent. one more thing to buy now...


Anyone know if any of these microfiber detergents are compatible / safe to use with high efficiency washers? I typically use the detergent specifically for the HE machines

 

[Mr. Gloss]

Anyone know if any of these microfiber detergents are compatible / safe to use with high efficiency washers? I typically use the detergent specifically for the HE machines

Yes they are. You'll use 1 ounce most often, 2 ounces for a heavy, or very dirty load.


Todd...I'm pulling your leg.

 

[blk5.0]

Just checked my load of mf towels that I used vinegar w and there was no smell from them and did feel softer but will wait till there dried till I can really tell

 

[Bunky]

Whether or not vinegar is a natural softener, since I started using it my towels have never been softer.

I've performed this test with both the OxiClean product I mentioned and Pinnacle Micro Rejuvenator and by adding white vinegar to the rinse both are much more softer than without it..

Microfiber is a plastic so I do not think it softens the plastic but agree on the reason why some say it feels softer.