If you haven’t jumped on the microfiber bandwagon yet, you’re missing out on the benefits of what is possibly one of the biggest innovations in home cleaning and car detailing. There are many types of microfiber cloths, and some even come in waffle, chenille, or terry weave for efficient drying, washing, and universal cleaning. However, they all share a soft polyester (PE) and polyamide (PA) construction of microscopic synthetic fibers, usually a 70/30 or 80/20 blend, for excellent absorbency and superior cleaning performance without pilling or streaking.
That said, the benefits of using microfiber cloths for car cleaning can contribute to the disadvantages. Because microfiber acts like a magnet that attracts and literally grabs dirt particles, you should avoid picking it up and reusing it for wiping delicate paint after you’ve awkwardly dropped it on the floor, as it doesn’t take much for the cloth to become contaminated with dirt and particles that can cause scratches.
In addition, it is better to reuse the towel after using it to wipe ceramic coatings because polymers and chemicals in ceramic coatings can permanently stiffen the soft and delicate fibers of the towel. You can reuse the towel and use it for the wheels, engine bay or general cleaning jobs, but how do you know if the towel has gone permanently bad?
High quality microfiber cloths can last for many years and hundreds of washes, but will eventually age and need to be replaced. It’s time to replace them if they leave lint, the fibers loosen or break off, the fabric has lost its characteristic softness, there are visible stains on the material that will not come off after repeated washing, or if the towel is no longer as absorbent as it used to be.
Avoid these microfiber blunders to make them last
For starters, separating towels for different tasks prevents cross-contamination of dirt and debris, making them last longer. Microfiber towels come in many sizes and colors, making it easy to assign individual towels to different tasks. Having dedicated towels for washing, waxing and general cleaning is better than having a single towel to handle it all, which inevitably leads to premature degradation.
Storing clean towels in a ziplock bag and away from heat sources will keep them soft, clean, dust-free and ready for the next cleaning job. Applying light pressure while wiping also extends the life of a microfiber cloth.
What is more important is how you wash the microfiber cloths. First, avoid washing all of your towels at once, as washing together is a surefire recipe for contamination. Wash overly dirty towels separately from the not so dirty ones so they last longer. Next, avoid using harsh detergents, bleach, fabric softeners, or dryer sheets when washing, as the harsh chemicals can damage and stiffen the fibers.
The crucial part is drying the towels, because throwing them in the dryer shortens the life of the fibers and hinders their ability to absorb water or attract dirt. High temperature drying can permanently melt the fibers, so it’s best to let them dry to avoid damage.
#signs #microfiber #towel #dirty #Jalopnik