Microfiber Detergents?

[imported_Devilsown]

I use Micro-Restore Microfiber Detergent and it works well but what I'm wondering if its worth the cost. I let them soak in a bucket with Micro-Restore Microfiber Detergent before I wash them for a few days, then I wash them. I was also wondering if anyone has used DP's version of Micro-Restore Microfiber Detergent?



I tried a diffrent method this time I got snappy clean and soaked the MF in them for a few days and then washed them, turned out great but as a precauton I washed them in Micro-Restore Microfiber Detergent to be safe and this seemed to work well.



Anyone tried this or is the whole MF detergent a big scam?

 

[Krafcik]

I have some DP on the way, I can let you know my impression when i receive it.



Thanks for serving your country.

 

[imported_wagonproject]

Never used a dedicated MF soap. Always just used whatever soap the wife buys, usually tide. Put a little vinegar in the rinse cycle and they come out like new.

 

[Accumulator]

I've used a few different MF-detergents and they all work a *lot* better than regular detergents *for me*. We've discussed this so many times that a search would :shocked you...use what works for *you*; don't bother with pricey options if something cheap works OK, don't waste time with cheap stuff if the pricey ones work better...strictly a YMMV sort of thing.

 

[a.k.a. Patrick]

Im a big fan of Charliesoap for all my familys washables..............

 

[efnfast]

I use the MF restore as well, seems to be a decent product. In addition, i've had VERY good luck (with pads atleast) with DP's pad restore (can be used on mf products as well).





For removing CAKED on dirt (from lower panel ONR cloths), I usually just squirt some palmolive into the cloth and get to rubbing. The above 2 detergents are good, but, from my experiences, arn't able to remove heavy dirt (polish/wax residue, yes, dirt trapped by ONR, no).

 

[Accumulator]

Im a big fan of Charliesoap for all my familys washables..............

I was kinda sorry that the Charlie's didn't work out for me. I just *liked* using it, know what I mean?

 

[a.k.a. Patrick]

G, I use it for all of our clothes, just something pure about it. No scent, no soft fluffy's, just C L E A N .

 

[Cleaning Fool]

Ive been to cheap and tight to buy microfiber soap.

 

[Passrat]

I'm curious too. I use one of the micro soaps at least most of the time, out of fear LOL, but I just washed my very first ever PC pad (CCM red) that had wolfie DG3.0 on it and the first wash with micro rejuve left it with chemical smell like thinner from the wax. Then I used it again and washed it twice in the DP powder cleaner and it was the same. Then I threw it in a hot machine wash with dish soap and it finally came out clean.



Oh I just noticed the reference to Charlies soap, I have some but havent tried it on micros and foams yet. Good 2 know.

 

[Vintage]

I use the MF restore as well, seems to be a decent product. In addition, i've had VERY good luck (with pads atleast) with DP's pad restore (can be used on mf products as well).

How have you been using the DP on mf's? I got a bunch of it free when I ordered some pad packages from AG a while ago. Thought it was only for pads until I read the label and it said it's for mf's also. Can I just put it straight in the washing machine like a regular powdered soap? I've just been using it to soak mf's in a 5 gal bucket and hot water. Let it sit for a couple days, and then wash in the machine with vinegar.



So how have you been using it? Thanks in advance!

 

[DM101]

I use Tide with a couple oz. of Purple Power and a little Dawn dishwashing det. Then I do a quick wash with couple oz of Vinagar to reove all excess detergents. Then let them air dry, a important step.

 

[imported_flatstick]

I am another person who like the Charlies soap. I sue the apc at a mixture of 10:1 for my pads and the laundry liquid for my towels. it has worked well for me. I also do not dry my pads, I leave them airdry, face down and it seems to keep the velco backing like new .

 

[Accumulator]

G, I use it for all of our clothes, just something pure about it. No scent, no soft fluffy's, just C L E A N .

Yeah, I believe it. That's the kind of stuff that made me sorry it just didn't work out for me. I figure it's my water, or my washers, or...well, something that I'm never gonna get sorted out.



Fortunately what I'm doing now works for me, so I guess that's what counts, but it also can lead to a bit of :argue with people who try to learn me about this stuff



Heh heh, not to sound paranoid, but by this time threads like this usually contain some posts telling me how I oughta be doing my laundry :nervous: As if I wouldn't have already considered the ideas...

Ive been to cheap and tight to buy microfiber soap.

Well, if you don't need it, you're lucky to be able to save the $

Then let them air dry, a important step.

Does "them" in this case mean MFs or pads?



I like machine-drying my MFs; they come out fluffier for some reason, plus I usually have a mountain of them to deal with.

I also do not dry my pads, I leave them airdry, face down..

A while back I started blowing my pads ~90% dry with the compressor, seems to be a good idea, but, well, you gotta have an air compressor.

 

[JackalS4]

I've used both Micro-Restore and DP's Microfibre detergent and have found them to be very similar. :up



Chris from eShine.ca told me the same thing as well.



I've only done about 2 massive DP loads so far, but both detergents seem to have the same cleaning "power". As in, most MF's come out clean and some still have staining (soaking reduces this, but not eliminates IME). I'll have to try some vinegar perhaps on that (can you dump it in during the wash cycle or do you specifically have to catch and stop the machine and add it during rinse?)



Oh, and like Accumulator, i've found the machine-dried MF's come out a little fluffier as well. I have my dryer on a "delicate" setting in an attempt to prevent the heat from getting too high, not really sure if it really works or even matters but yeah.



I might have a hint of Micro-Restore left (and have a massive jug of DP) so i'm kind of tempted to do a side-by-side comparison...

 

[Accumulator]

I've used both Micro-Restore and DP's Microfibre detergent and have found them to be very similar. ..I might have a hint of Micro-Restore left (and have a massive jug of DP) so i'm kind of tempted to do a side-by-side comparison...

I've found some performance diffs between the various MF detergents, but I dunno if it was really just a difference in the loads or if it really was the detergents :think:

 

[Passrat]

I am another person who like the Charlies soap. I sue the apc at a mixture of 10:1 for my pads and the laundry liquid for my towels. it has worked well for me. I also do not dry my pads, I leave them airdry, face down and it seems to keep the velco backing like new .

I think the main ingredient that's different about Charlies is "washing soda", which is actually an old product that was removed from detergents many years ago because it's hard on clothes. For instance it's also used to polish metal! If this is correct you can actually buy the laundry soda cheaper in the supermarket or hardware store. It's real name is sodium carbonate (NOT sodium bi-carbonate)



Here's a link:

Washing Soda



Sorry Charlie.

The chemical formula for washing soda is Na2CO3, and it is also known as sodium carbonate. It is a salt of carbonic acid, a chemical which produces a wide range of salts collectively known as carbonates. One common source of washing soda is the ashes of plants; for this reason, it is sometimes called soda ash. Sodium carbonate can also be created from sodium chloride, also known as table salt.



In laundry, washing soda accomplishes several things. The high alkalinity of washing soda helps it act as a solvent to remove a range of stains, and unlike bleach, washing soda does not usually stain. It is also used in detergent mixtures to treat hard water; the washing soda binds to the minerals which make water hard, allowing detergent to foam properly so that clothing will come out clean, without any residue. Sodium carbonate is also used by some textile artists, since it helps dyes adhere to fabric, resulting in deeper penetration and a longer lasting color.



Around the house, washing soda can be used to descale things like coffee machines and bathroom tiles which may accumulate mineral deposits as a result of exposure to hard water. It can also be used to strip floors of wax so that they can be refinished, and for other touch cleaning jobs like scrubbing the stove. You should wear gloves when cleaning with washing soda, because it can cause skin irritation.



What Is Washing Soda?

 

[cartoysautospa]

give me a break use regular laundry detergent, however do not mix your , drying towels with your glass towels etc.



Micro Fiber towels will take about 500 washings before the electric static charge disappears. I have been using these towels for over 15 years, and some I have washed multiple times and are still great after 5 years of abuse.



Everyone has a gimic to sell you.......... don't fall for them !

 

[Accumulator]

give me a break use regular laundry detergent...Everyone has a gimic to sell you.......... don't fall for them !

See, this sort of thing seems to crop up in every one of these threads.



Do you really think that people can't tell discern differences, or the lack thereof, between various detergents? As in, "gee, this stuff gets my [whatever textiles]a whole lot cleaner than that stuff" I sure wouldn't spend extra for something that didn't offer improved performance.



If somebody does fine with [whatever], that's great. But I sure wouldn't tell somebody else that they oughta disbelive their own first-hand experiences.

 

[MichaelM]

See, this sort of thing seems to crop up in every one of these threads.



Do you really think that people can't tell discern differences, or the lack thereof, between various detergents?

I think when the difference between two things we are comparing are close in difference our sub-conscience will pick the winner that we want to win.



But, regardless, IME with Micro-Restore vs. cheap powder detergent from Costco and vinegar there isn't much of a difference provided you wash the towels correctly. At my shop we wash at least one load of MF towels a day, six days a week. The dirtier towels and those used for polish and wax removal most usually get pre-soaked in a car wash soap or APC solution. Even the glass and interior towels get flushed with water before hand.



Perhaps if I were to compare the specialized detergents to the cheap stuff using equally heavily soiled towels w/o any kind of pre treatment then the specialized stuff would work better. But in my set-up it is much cheaper in the long run to take an extra 5 min before a load to pre-treat and save the money I would have spent on the expensive detergent.