Accumulator said:
Washing in *VERY* hot water helps. While products like MicroRestore work pretty well (as do APC soaks, Dawn Power Dissolver, and other such stuff), sometimes stains/etc. just don't come out and then that towel gets relegated to non-critical applications.
I try to get really nasty stuff off with free-rinsing media (e.g., BHBs) if possible and I'll sometimes use disposable wipes (basically fancy paper towels) for jobs like that. My good towels (both cotton and MF) simply don't get used in ways that'll leave them badly contaminated.
Interesting. I've been following David B's recommendations in his article on caring for microfiber (pasted below, for reference) since I started detailing my car a few months ago. David recommends washing in cold water only.
Are the towels you're washing in hot water made of microfiber, or cotton?
If they're microfiber, and you're still washing them in hot water, then I assume you haven't suffered any bad effects.
Also, can you recommend any tricks on getting klasse residue out of towels?
I made the mistake of letting Sonus Glanz dry into some of my better buffing cloths after wiping it off wet. They don't appear to be gritty, based on a CD test, but they just don't feel the same now. I was thinking of soaking them in rubbing alcohol...
From David's Article:
"MAINTAINING MICROFIBER
I've read a lot of tips on how to clean and care for microfiber. People seem to be all over the map with their recommendations. It's really very simple.
The best general purpose cleaner is a liquid detergent. It's better to use too little than too much. Liquid is recommended over powder because some powders do not completely dissolve and the granules will lodge in the toweling.
Wash in cold water only. Warm water can be tolerated, but hot water cannot. Polyester and polyamide both shrink in hot water. If you wash in hot water the fibers will shrink and the towel will not perform as intended.
Do not use fabric softeners of any kind. The softener will become lodged in the microfiber reducing its ability to absorb water, clean and pick up dirt. In short, you'll have a soft towel that's useless.
Do not dry above medium heat. Treat microfiber towels the same as you would your delicate clothing. Drying with high heat is worse that washing in hot water.
If you need a wash detergent booster. the best over the counter product I have found so far is OxyClean. This product I do use in the powder form because as soon as it hit water it disolves and begins producing vapor cleaners. One full scoop works great.
Here's another tip. If you can catch your towels on the rinse cycle, pour in a cup of distilled white vinegar. This is what housewives did back in the 40's and 50's before fabric softeners were available. It works great on microfiber and really does a nice job fluffing the fibers back up to make them feel super soft again."