Microfiber lint!

[gregsminis]

I am trying to get rid of some water spots on my car with quik detailer and my microfiber towels...but, the problem is my towels are linting a LOT. Am I doing something wrong or are my towels (bought at costco, can't remember the brand) just cheap? Please help me, this is very frustrating . Thanks

[BradB]

It's the towels.

Glass cleaning towels have a different weave which is less prone to linting.

[dn3dgamer]

I have the same problem. I have the costco yellow microfiber towels. I usually just wash them first with fabric softener and air dry them.

With the quick detailer spray lightly and wipe it off with the microfiber towel. Then dry using the other side of the towel or using a different towel. You don't have to rub the towel too hard just very light as long as you have contact with the car's paint. If you do it too hard you can leave scratches only seen when the sun is reflecting on the car on an angle.

[911Fan]

Originally Posted by dn3dgamer

I have the same problem. I have the costco yellow microfiber towels. I usually just wash them first with fabric softener and air dry them.

If you do a Google search, you'll find lots of articles about microfiber cloths which specifically warn against using fabric softener. The fabric softener interferes with the towel's "grab-ability" somehow. It defeats their main feature!

[dn3dgamer]

I didn't know that. My neighbor told me different. Thanks.

[dn3dgamer]

Originally Posted by 911Fan

If you do a Google search, you'll find lots of articles about microfiber cloths which specifically warn against using fabric softener. The fabric softener interferes with the towel's "grab-ability" somehow. It defeats their main feature!

What I meant to say is that you can use one of those detergents that are for complicated fabrics. Detergent like Wool Lite and then I did say to "air dry" the towels instead of putting them in the dryer for drying.

I mistakenly thought the Wool Lite was a fabric softener. Fabric softener would be like Bounce for the dryer.

Sorry about that.

[911Fan]

Originally Posted by dn3dgamer

What I meant to say is that you can use one of those detergents that are for complicated fabrics. Detergent like Wool Lite and then I did say to "air dry" the towels instead of putting them in the dryer for drying.

I mistakenly thought the Wool Lite was a fabric softener. Fabric softener would be like Bounce for the dryer.

Sorry about that.

I don't know if you need to go through all that trouble (air drying). Besides, Woolite might contain a fabric softener (check the label).

I use Costco MF towels too. I wash MF towels separately, using about half the usual amount of regular laundry detergent (sans fabric softener, of course!) and set the washing machine for an extra rinse cycle. Then I dry them in the dryer at a low temp. Never had any problem with lint!

[CSW]

You can just rinse out the microfiber towels with warm water if they are not too dirty. That's the beauty of them - they suck up dirt and turn it loose when asked to.

Never wash them in a load of cotton towels that can lint - they'll pick it right up.

And you're right - no fabric softener ever.

I've used microfibers for years around the house and love them.

[BradB]

Originally Posted by CSW

I've used microfibers for years around the house and love them.

That reminds me of the missing microfiber syndrome. I kept losing microfibers. One by one they kept disappearing. I thought I just lost one once in a while. Then it got serious and I thought I was crazy or getting old-timers disease. Then one day...Ah-haaaa! I caught my wife hoarding them for cleaning around the house. Dusting the furniture. Cleaning the TV. She even had one of my special tiny ones in her purse for cleaning her glasses. Busted!

Soooo, where do you buy those electronic security tags?

[MINIAK]

Read the washing instructions. - they are on that little label on the towel. ;)

[CSW]

Originally Posted by BradB

That reminds me of the missing microfiber syndrome. I kept losing microfibers. One by one they kept disappearing. I thought I just lost one once in a while. Then it got serious and I thought I was crazy or getting old-timers disease. Then one day...Ah-haaaa! I caught my wife hoarding them for cleaning around the house. Dusting the furniture. Cleaning the TV. She even had one of my special tiny ones in her purse for cleaning her glasses. Busted!

Soooo, where do you buy those electronic security tags?

So, you figured out I am, yes, a woman! I can't live without 'em!

And, by the way, I am the one who turned my husband onto the best thing that's happened since... (you fill it in!) Isn't technology great!!!

[jinubob81]

i think you both should get cattle prods and have a duel.

and of course, capture it all on video.

the winner will get a large pack of quality mf towels, courtesy of a sponsor who will give me a hefty fee.

any takers? come on vendors, support mini owners and their need to see a cattle prod duel.

[BradB]

Originally Posted by CSW

So, you figured out I am, yes, a woman! I can't live without 'em!

And, by the way, I am the one who turned my husband onto the best thing that's happened since... (you fill it in!) Isn't technology great!!!

We all win in the end!

[CSW]

So true!

[agranger]

Don't forget to use liquid laundry detergent instead of powder!

If the powder doesn't completely dissolve, you are stuck with tiny little crystals imbedded in the microfiber that you are going to be rubbing all over your finish. You might as well throw a scoop of sand into the wash...

[PATHFNDR]

So in a nut shell, we have, wash in liquid detergent, rinse twice or run them through another cycle without soap, then dry on a low setting in the dryer. Bingo!!:smile:

[kirk]

Okay, another problem with mf towels. I bought the buffing micros from Autopia and while washing the mini dropped one and got leaf "crumbs" in it. Those little microfibers don't want to let go of them and I'm afraid they will scratch the finish. I've tried picking them out, brushing them out, washing them out, but it's like they're breeding...I can't seem to get rid of every last bit. Throw the things out, use them for dusting in the house (as has been so highly recommended), what?

Kirk

[BradB]

Originally Posted by kirk

Okay, another problem with mf towels. I bought the buffing micros from Autopia and while washing the mini dropped one and got leaf "crumbs" in it. Those little microfibers don't want to let go of them and I'm afraid they will scratch the finish. I've tried picking them out, brushing them out, washing them out, but it's like they're breeding...I can't seem to get rid of every last bit. Throw the things out, use them for dusting in the house (as has been so highly recommended), what?

Kirk

You're right, those particles will scratch so you need to remove them. Wash the towels a few times. Also use a sticky lint roller-sometimes that helps. But those tiny micrifiber loops really grab. You could also relegate that towel to "door jam and dash board duty" from now on.

Sorry....I've been there!

[mlebeau]

I have a sort of related problem. Ever since the last time I washed my car I have been bugged by this - when I used the brand new chenille mitt from Autopia to wash the roof, the cotton kept coming off in pieces on the felt lining around the sunroof! I still haven't gotten all of it off of there, every time I noticed I scratch more of it into a little clump that I can remove, but it's driving me crazy! Any thoughts?

-mike

[OctaneGuy]

I thought you guys might be interested in this:

I discovered that my recent purchase of Costco towels are linting like crazy, even after washing them. I machined washed my new towels and dried them without any fabric softeners, and they linted just as bad out of the bag as they did after washing. However my first batch that I bought 3 months ago, was perfect out of the bag. So there is definitely an issue here.

I contacted Eurow Corp. and they asked me to send some samples--which I did. I've been working with them for the past couple weeks and they've been extremely responsive and have agreed there is a problem. Their manufacturing plant in China was on holiday this past week so nothing could be done. I expect to have more information next week, and some info on what type of resolution to expect.

Note the linting towels are NOT normal, and are defective. So I would advise you to stop using them immediately, and save your Costco receipts. I've got 3 bags here--2 unopened ones.

Some pics of the problem:



Sprayed Meguiars Quik Detailer first, and wiped off. Shown on Chrome and Sunroof glass. Towels were washed and dried.
Richard

[BradB]

Originally Posted by mlebeau

I have a sort of related problem. Ever since the last time I washed my car I have been bugged by this - when I used the brand new chenille mitt from Autopia to wash the roof, the cotton kept coming off in pieces on the felt lining around the sunroof! I still haven't gotten all of it off of there, every time I noticed I scratch more of it into a little clump that I can remove, but it's driving me crazy! Any thoughts?

-mike

That's not all that unusual. I remove the lint residue with a lint roller.

[mlebeau]

No, but Brad, it's stuck to the felt lining of the sunroof and doesn't come off easy at all. A roller would not pick this out of the felt, it's stuck to it kinda like velcro. :-/

-mike

[BradB]

Yikes, I have never had it stick that bad. The roller has always worked.

I wonder why it is so bad??

[OctaneGuy]

Have you tried a wet chamois? I posted this on my website awhile back. Works great for removing lint. Easier if the felt is already wet, like after washing the car.

http://www.littlemini.us/technical/lint/index.asp

Originally Posted by mlebeau

No, but Brad, it's stuck to the felt lining of the sunroof and doesn't come off easy at all. A roller would not pick this out of the felt, it's stuck to it kinda like velcro. :-/

-mike

[mlebeau]

Thanks Richard!

-mike