Waffle Weave not as absorbent after wash?

U

uberyk

New member
I picked up two of these waffle weave drying towels Waffle Weave Towels from autogeek a few weeks back (BOGO deal).

I was super impressed the first time I used them for an ONR wash. I took it straight out of the bag and used without washing. Didn't even need the second towel because the first was absorbing everything with barely any streaking.

Then I washed both along with my other microfibers (used for polishing/waxing) and now they don't seem as absorbent.

I don't have a washer/dryer so I had to use the laundromat. Used microrestore for detergent, dryed at low heat with no dryer sheets or softener.

Any ideas as to why my absorbency has so drastically reduced after just one wash??
 
gusbubba said:
Possible cross-contamination from washing with polish/wax towels?

This is why I wash everything separately.....just in case.
Click to expand...



Um...I kinda glossed over that part...yeah--that. I always wash drying towels separately from wax/polish. And the glass towels get their own load.
 
While IME *all* WWs eventually lose their effectiveness, the way this one happened after just one use/wash does seem to indicate some sort of contamination.



I'd rewash in a (known to be) clean washer, with the MicroRestore and *VERY* hot water, probably including a presoak. Then I'd rinse rinse rinse and rinse again.



Dry in a (known to be) uncontaminated dryer, and I wouldn't worry too much about the temp; I dry on a pretty high setting and it's never caused a problem.
 
yeah, im guessing it's contamination from either the wax/polish towels or perhaps the laundromat dryers being caked with softener/dryer sheet residue.

too bad cause they were really doing a great job out of the bag.

I'm going to try handwashing them again and just line dry.

looks like i'll have to handwash all my microfibers from now on.

i never really accumulate dirty towels fast enough to make it worth the laundromat coins as is, if i have to wash everything separately i'd probably be better off getting new towels each time (not really, but you know what i mean).

Would a vinegar wash be beneficial in this case or would it not do much?
 
uberyk said:
..Would a vinegar wash be beneficial in this case or would it not do much?
Click to expand...



I'm not sure :think: I *think* that the use of vinegar is primarily for softening, and Ranney at PakShack has warned that it can sometimes make MFs less absorbent.
 
I would stick to basics.



Follow normal microfiber care instructions: warm wash, low heat dry.



Remember microfiber is PLASTIC not cotton. Heat is not great for plastics - more like 100% polyester pants. Microfiber is a complex material. I would soak in warm water using a decent all purpose cleaner (maybe Optimum Power Clean) to see if there is something interfering with the wicking action. The jury is out of the mf construction breaks down for whatever reason.
 
It's not contamination. These towels are unfortunately just a giant waste of money. I bought 3 and all 3 now repel water better than they absorb it. My DD ones work great. Always washed them separate, with only MF restore.
 
This is correct - the blue WW towels are not very good, from my own experience. You mighty ask for replacements. I believe there is plenty of feedback re: to these towels acting this way.



See ya. :wavey





mmarmarou said:
It's not contamination. These towels are unfortunately just a giant waste of money. I bought 3 and all 3 now repel water better than they absorb it. My DD ones work great. Always washed them separate, with only MF restore.
Click to expand...
 
it's odd cause I swear they seemed so good and effective straight out of the bag. The only difference in my car since the first time I used the towels and last is it has about 4 coats of FK1000P on it now. I doubt that would negatively affect it.

I'll have to get around to washing em by hand separately and see if it was just wax/softener coating.

If not, guess I'll have to spring for some Cobra Guzzlers.
 
delayed response/conclusion:



Looks like I'll be springing for some cobra guzzlers.

I handwashed the autogeek waffles twice, once in regular detergent followed by Micro-Restore.

Absorbency is still zero. They push water around rather than absorb.

Very disappointing. I guess 2 towels for under 10bucks was def too good to be true.



On the subject of the cobra guzzlers, which are your favorites?

I'm looking at the Supreme vs. HD.
 
That's weird because I have a ton of blue WW towels that have been through multiple washes using DP Microfiber Restorer and they absorb just as well as the day I opened them. Bad batch possibly? How were you drying them? I dry mine on LOW in my dryer. I also wash my drying towels and QD towels separately from all my other towels.



I do hear good things about the Cobra Guzzlers though, until I have problems with my blue WW's I'm going to stick with them as I get them super cheap.
 
I handwashed and hung em dry.

Of course while I was washing they soaked up water like no other.

But as soon as they were dry and I took em to a car panel, nada.

Very peculiar.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top