washing towels

D

direkt

New member
I was curious what people recommend for washing towels. I have alot of terry towels and normally I just wash them in the washing machine with laundry detergent. Is this the best way?



Also I just ordered some MF towels and I was curious if the washing method is the same for MF towels and terry towels.



Thanks
 
Don't use fabric softener with the MF towels. Use liquid detergent (the powder can leave residue; may not dissolve completely). Other than that, if you get a lot of lint, use the dryer. There is some difference of opinion on drying MF towels. Some people like to air dry them, others fluff them in the dryer and let them finish drying on a line; other folks just use the dryer.
 
Also, never ever mix your MF towels with normal towels or you'll cover them with lint. Always wash them separate from everything else.
 
I was told not to use fabric softener on my cotton or mf towels because it would cause marring is this correct or just for mf?
 
2500Hemi said:
I was told not to use fabric softener on my cotton or mf towels because it would cause marring is this correct or just for mf?
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For any towels you will use on your car, whether they be natural or artificial fibers, don't use fabric softeners, bleach, or any additives other than liquid detergent. In the dryer do not use those throw in softeners.



Water temp and dryer air temp should be found on the package for the towels, depending on the composition different towels have different instructions. When in doubt, contact the seller or manufacturer.
 
2500Hemi said:
I was told not to use fabric softener on my cotton or mf towels because it would cause marring is this correct or just for mf?
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As I understand it, it's because they MFs "consider" fabric softener dirt, so they get clogged with it. I don't really think it applies to terry towels. Try a fabric softened terry towel on a CD and then on an inconspicuous spot. I don't usually use any form of fabric softener on anything.
 
Ok so I have a question. Typically my terry towels are pretty nasty with brake dust and tire dressing. I wash them in the washing machine and I get oil residue left in the washer that finds itself on nice clothes! Any tips or is it time for a new washer set for towels? Also- do you all separate your MF window/glass towels from the regulars because I have found they smear glass with slight wax/polish residue.
 
Ok, I didn't read everyone's response cause I'm lazy.. but here's what i do to wash towels



Terry's: Throw them ALL in the washing machine with some detergent (i use either Era or Wisk or Tide.. whatever my mom has available) and a little bit of clorox to whiten them..





MF: Two different loads 1) those that touch SOLELY the paint and those that do other jobs such as windows or dusting the interior of the car...



for those i use Tide Free (recommended by many when i first joined auopia) and nothing else.. no fabric softer, no Clorox 2.. just Tide Free
 
Taxlady said:
As I understand it, it's because they MFs "consider" fabric softener dirt, so they get clogged with it. I don't really think it applies to terry towels. Try a fabric softened terry towel on a CD and then on an inconspicuous spot. I don't usually use any form of fabric softener on anything.
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That's wrong. Liquid fabric softners and throw in softners do not actually soften or do anything other than apply a coating to the fabric which fools you into thinking it feels softer. All you feel is a slick coating. It makes no difference if the fabric is cotton or polyester, terry or waffle or knit, standard sized yarn or microfiber sized yarn.



Don't analyze, just stay away from that stuff.
 
I use liquid Tide (the regular stuff, noa dded scent) 300 oz. for $18.97 thats a good deal at Wal-mart. This is for all ym cloths and cotton towels.



for my nice Mf's that don't get all that dirty, Woolite.
 
I have the same question if you put towels in the wash with wax or tire dressing on them, wouldnt that cause problems when you put clothes in after? I was thinking of wiping down the washer with bleach and then running a cycle without anything in it... any ideas?
 
I'm not sure about that.... I like to pre-soak or partially hand wash (and then rinse) really loaded up MFs first before it goes into the washer.
 
I just went through my terry towels- there were salvageable ones and some weren't. They will just continue to wipe off extra tire dressing and nasty jobs. Then when they become useless- throw them out and buy some more.
 
I use Liquid Tide with no dyes or perfumes. It's clear, and odorless and has the little cotton logo on the front. Sometimes a little Oxi Clean goes in too.



Works fine for me.
 
Sure, as long as the terry towel was 100% cotton. Check the label carefully. Many of them say "100% cotton loops". I always do a burn test before trusting cotton terry cloth. Also, be careful of the edges - they can be sewn with synthetic thread. I prefer MFs, because I find cotton lints, but if the towels had been washed more times, they might not lint.
 
DFTowel said:
That's wrong. Liquid fabric softners and throw in softners do not actually soften or do anything other than apply a coating to the fabric which fools you into thinking it feels softer. All you feel is a slick coating. It makes no difference if the fabric is cotton or polyester, terry or waffle or knit, standard sized yarn or microfiber sized yarn.



Don't analyze, just stay away from that stuff.
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I agree 100%. I've used a fabric-"Softened" cotton towel before and it streaked pretty badly. Those softeners (which are actually just a type of silicone) are totally bogus and I don't even use them for my clothes either.
 
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