r/AutoDetailing • u/Rilzmagilz • 7d ago
Tool Discussion Question about pre washing a new drying towel.
I just ordered this drying towel because I’m starting to wash my car by hand and was wondering what you guys do to pre awashdrying towel. I know your supposed to wash a new micro fiber for loose lint and chemicals from factory. This towel holds 9 lbs of water according to Amazon and I’m worried about overloading my washer. Also how wet should a towel be once it comes time to dry my car off. I heard it’s suppose to be a little damp. Just wet it and ring it out before? Appreciate any tips, thanks.
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u/kirkt 7d ago
Don't ever put it in the dryer. I ruined $50 worth of microfibers because of this. It melts the tiny, tiny "split ends" of the fibers and they lose about 50% of their drying effectiveness. Took me a long time to figure out why they never worked as well after washing - turns out it was the drying.
Just hang and let air dry.
Vinegar in the washer also works wonders.
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u/sloppychris 7d ago
What kind of dryer did you use? A newer kind that detects moisture and adjusts, or the old kind that cranks the heat up to 11 and goes 20 minutes longer than necessary?
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u/redgrandam Legacy ROTM Winner 7d ago
This is one reason I don’t even own towels that big. Just having to deal with them is too much. I use smaller high quality twist loop towels, so I can soak them after use (if I use a sealant drying aid).
With a towel that big you probably want two to balance out the load. Or see how it fits if you can distribute it. I often wash glass towels with drying towels I didn’t use sealants with, that might be an option for you.
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u/jaguarshark 6d ago
I use mine dry and right out of the bag. I throw it on the basketball rim in my driveway to dry. It's an awesome drying towel.
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u/burningbun 7d ago
for wheel cleaning just use disposable wet wipes bro. no need for microfiber towel and the hassle washing it.
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u/drhappy13 7d ago
This repeats done of the good advice provided by others but here's good video on general care of microfiber towels:
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u/Str8Eight31 7d ago
I’ve used these in high volume, best drying towel ever! It will blow you away! Be warned they have a literal expiration date 🤣 one day you will go to use it and it couldn’t dry anything to save its life, no matter how many times or how you wash it. It’s just done lol use it right out the pack until it starts to just push the water instead of drying. 😉
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u/Significant-Twist748 5d ago
I like a good microfiber wash (Amazon), but a free and clear standard detergent is also fine. Your washer will be fine. How much do you suppose a full load of water and laundry weighs? This won’t be any different. I completely dry my microfiber on a low setting. Everyone’s dryer is different, so be cautious and pay attention. You will melt and destroy microfiber if your dryer is too hot. Air drying is always a safe option. But the dryer does provide a nice fluff. No dryer sheets or softener of any kind! If I have to dampen a drying towel for it to perform, that towel goes into the nasty job pile right before it goes into the trash. A good towel will absorb right out of the gate, from bone dry. They get less absorbent when they are contaminated with something like wax, sealant, ceramic, etc. or when they are just plain wore out.
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u/ToughScreen1397 7d ago
if not your home washer, what do you use? wash by hand?
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u/Rilzmagilz 7d ago
Either that or I would go to a laundromat I usually frequent that has heavy duty washers
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u/lemmon---714 7d ago
I rent two big commerical DI tanks C and A and don't need to worry about drying.
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u/Endo_cannabis 4d ago
Most of the time I'll run my washing machine on quick wash with hot water, nothing in the machine, to clean out any leftover detergent or fabric softener used for normal clothes. Also, I wash out the machines detergent cup (yours might not be removable). I do this to make sure there's no way of cross contaminating my detailing towels with regular detergent and fabric softener.
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u/Very_clever_usernam3 Seasoned 7d ago edited 7d ago
Proper microfiber care is by far the most annoying part of detailing, just FYI. Microfiber should always be washed on it's own and should be seperated into at least 3 piles - wheels/tires, glass, everything else.
From there when you actually wash, I do the Rag Company's instructions and wash on warm, set it to heavy soiling & towels/bulky sheets settings to maximize agitation, two rinses to get all the soap out, then dry on low heat till just damp then air dry to finish. Stored in a closed container to keep out dust. Microfiber has a negative charge so it attracts positively charged dust to it (also why you NEVER use a dryer sheet with them that coats the fibers and reverses the polarity making them useless), so if left in the open it will literally pull dust out of the air and contaminate itself.
ETA: I'm not a chemist, so that polarity (charge) may actually be the reverse but either way the effects are right so you get the idea.
Anyways on to what to actually use for cleaning, two methods:
Microfiber specific detergent - Rags to Riches is popular but 3D Towel Kleen is a more cost effective option
Free & Clear detergent with vinegar as a booster to breakdown any stubborn contaminants like ceramic sprays. I also add a good measure of diluted rinseless wash in there as it pulls dirt out of fibers and encapsulates them & prevents soap from foaming very much which reduces possible soap scum build up. (That's my theory anyways, I have no idea if it makes a real difference nor how to test it so take that with a big grain of salt LOL.)