How can I make my MFs less 'static-y'?

I

imported_Faceman

New member
Hello,



I'v been noticing lately how static-y my mfs are becoming. I have all sorts, cheapo ones from the UK equivalent of dollar store (expect poundland is 1.5 times more expensive :-) ), car pride (cheap but seem pretty good), Megs Ultimate Wipes and CMAs Magic Towels.



I wash them after use in the dryer on either a 40 or 60 degree cycle / air dry / fold and store.



I tried tumble drying them a little bit and then finished by air drying them, but still static remains.



I think the MFs are then leaving some static charge on my car, which in turn is attracting more dust (which at least gives me an excuse to clean it again!)



Happy Easter,



Face
 
Happy Easter to you Mate!



Not sure - have not had that prob...obviously do not use fabric softner....



I wash my MF's by themselves....don't mix them with other towels and then let them air dry.... might be the dryer?
 
Face,

Try removing MF's from dryer just prior to becoming completely dry. This normally works for my MF's and 100% towels ( washed and dried separately). There is still a very slight residual static but very, very little. :wavey
 
I assume you are referring to MF towels that are mostly polyester. That, my friend, is where the static problem arises. Man made fibers (and some animal hair such as wool or cashmere) are much more prone to static buildup than vegetable fibers such as cotton or flax. Try placing them on a radiator or other grounded pipe, that sometimes helps.



By the way, this is also why some people notice excessive dust buildup on their cars after polishing, the towels built up a static charge on the car and it attracts dust. My trick is to run a battery charge cable from the frame to a water pipe, keeps the car from building up static.
 
I tried them on low heat (don't have a 'no heat' option); i wondered if it was because they were cheope towels, but the cma towels cost $11.95 each (well 2 for $20).



I think the polyester thing may be a point, HOWEVER



This only seems to have happened since the first time I tumble dried them, since then i have tried all different types of dry a lot/dry a little/ dry none etc in the dryer...



Perhaps they are just getting old, although the CMA towels I've on;y had a couple of months.



AAAAAAARRRRRRGGGGGGHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!



To most people cleaning a car is easy, a couple of old t-shirts / teatowels and stuff.... why do we make life hard for ourselves????



Face
 
Let me know when you find out because I have the same problem. I have tried everything. My towels are not cheap they are all CMA, PakShak, or JT Intl. I have tried every heat setting including just air in the dryer and have tried ever temp of water in the washer. A double and sometimes triple rise cycle. Nothign seems to work.
 
TheOzzfather said:
Let me know when you find out because I have the same problem. I have tried everything. My towels are not cheap they are all CMA, PakShak, or JT Intl. I have tried every heat setting including just air in the dryer and have tried ever temp of water in the washer. A double and sometimes triple rise cycle. Nothign seems to work.
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Water temp is not the problem, nor is air temp, tumbling is the main culprit. If it's really that bad then your best option is to let them hang dry.



Oh, if you do tumble dry and get some static you also might try a fine mist spray of water on the towel and let it dry.
 
Hey Leo I have let them hang dry as well ans still I get static!! I think that it is just my luck to be honest. I can not figure out what else it could be because I have tried everything. We have super soft water so that is the only other thing that I could think of.
 
TheOzzfather said:
Hey Leo I have let them hang dry as well ans still I get static!! I think that it is just my luck to be honest. I can not figure out what else it could be because I have tried everything. We have super soft water so that is the only other thing that I could think of.
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What about humidity? Is it dry where you are? Ever notice that socks stick to cloths from the dryer in the winter more than the summer? The dryer the air the more static. Like I said, try spraying with a light mist of water after drying and see if that additional humidity will help get rid of the static.
 
I am in Minnesota. The summer it is hella humid I cant stand it espically being a big dood. Ahhh only a couple months from gastric bypass then I can quit being burdened by my extra weight!
 
Static with polyester/polyamide MF towels are a fact of life. To minimize, I tumble them in the dryer with NO heat to get them fluffy and then hang dry them indoors. Doesn't eliminate the static, but it sure does reduce it.



AMP, are you able to get your MF's fully dry using the no-heat setting? I sure as heck can't! Maybe I'm loading too many towels??



BTW, the DF Concours towels, being fully natural with no polyester or polyamide, have very little static....even when machine-dried.
 
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