Cleaning foam applicator pads

B

ben54

New member
Is there a proper way to clean them? I usually rinse them off with water to get as much of the wax or sealant off, and make sure that I keep the applicator and wax/sealant together to prevent cross contamination.
 
I use Murphey's Oil Soap to clean those, just like I use on my buffer pads
 
I soak'm in Dawn, then pour the water/soap out, add more hot water and Dawn, wash'm , rinse good, air dry...viola!

I figure if Dawn is recommended to wash the wax off the car then it ought to do a good job getting the wax/sealant out of the foam.

Works for me. :cool
 
Murphey's Oil Soap, would have never thought of that one. Will give it a try, thanks. Dawn is also another good idea, and something I already have.
 
I usually throw these in the wash with my cotton towels. Hot water and liquid detergent. Dry them naturally.
 
I usually wash mine in the sink using warm water and Dawn, then air day. I recently gave the Murphy Oil Soap suggestion a try and found that it works well too.

I keep all applicators either in the container with the product (paste wax jar) or in labeled individual plastic baggies.
 
I use Dawn too
Be careful storing the applicator pads in the product jars too long.
I have had some turn moldy.
It might have just been with certain products though.
I usually store them in baggies, labeled with the product they were used with.
 
I use to throuw mine away. I didnt think you could clean them without them falling apart.
 
RJ SD said:
I always washed mine in the washing machine, and they've been fine. Is that bad practice?
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Probably not, but I don't know if I would want all the chemicals that come out of the pads in my washing machine.

Make sure you do them with your wife's laundry so her perfume will cover up any residual odors.

Charles
 
Pad Cleaning

I use Megs APC+ for cleaning ALL pads.

add to sink-full of water and after soaking, agitate, squeeze, then several rinses.

All good as new!

Regards,

Deanski
 
CharlesW said:
Probably not, but I don't know if I would want all the chemicals that come out of the pads in my washing machine.
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:yeah A high quality foam applicator should be able to withstand repeated machine washings. However, I would be concerned about cross-contamination between products. For example: I wouldn't want silicone dressing applicators to come in contact with paint sealant applicators. :dunno
 
thats a big uh oh for me. ive been washing my foam applicator pads together in my washing machine with tide free, cold wash, warm rinse, i think..
 
RJ SD said:
I would think that the laundry detergent would break up any residue and carry it away?
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I'm just obsessive compulsive about my detailing supplies. I only use one product per pad. If I have 6 foam applicators, 6 MF applicators, and 6 cotton applicators in one load, how do I know which one goes with which product? Laundry markers won't always do the trick as some products will dissolve the ink.

Regarding the detergent breaking up residue - Yes, almost all of the residue would probably be cleaned away. Almost. But, some applicators can be heavily soiled and become permanently stained (e.g. tire, trim, engine dressing pads). Do I want those tumbling around with my other cleaner items? Not me. But like I said, I suffer from OCD when it comes to my supplies. If you don't use many products, and none of them cause staining or interference with other products, then machine washing should be fine. :cool
 
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