washing, re-using towels, etc.

[tazzMINI]

Hey- Can I wash all my car care stuff together? Like MF towels, finishing cloths, sponges and applicator pads? I know not to use fabric softener or dryer sheets.

How many time can these items be washed before I should replace them?

Thanks.

[BradB]

Originally Posted by tazzMINI

Hey- Can I wash all my car care stuff together? Like MF towels, finishing cloths, sponges and applicator pads? I know not to use fabric softener or dryer sheets.

How many time can these items be washed before I should replace them?

Thanks.

Nope, wiser to keep all the like-items together. That's what I have always done. Keep MF towels together, cotton and cloth together, sponges and applicators together.

Done properly, you can get years out of most items. Dozens and dozens of washes.

[MINI Monkey]

Great Question and a Great Answer. I was wondering the samething. Man this site is great. Thanks!

[gokartride]

Originally Posted by tazzMINI

Can I wash all my car care stuff together?

I've always washed my stuff separately, but that is a good question.

[strider209]

I'm wondering if you need to wash everything between uses or can you use them a few times. I just used the following for the first time and was wondering if I need to clean them before using them again.

1) Sonus MF drying towel
2) Sheepskin wash mitt
3) Concours buffing towel
4) MF polish applicator pads
5) Cotton polish applicator pads

[matthewz]

Hello,

New to the detailing game myself, but I'd definitely wash everything, as well. Recommend separating heavily soiled items to a different wash, just to protect the items with less obvious soiling.

Wonder if a pre-wash soak with Dawn wouldn't be a bit harsh on these items; could be a nice treatment for heavily matted or soiled items.

Only item I might skip washing would be a drying towel.

Of course, I have yet to pick up my own set of microfiber towels -- my mailman takes quite mouse steps and couldn't wake me up Saturday -- or else never brought the package, just the slip (my take - that's one dinky jeep he's pushing!).

Cheers,
Matthew Z.

[BradB]

Originally Posted by strider209

I'm wondering if you need to wash everything between uses or can you use them a few times. I just used the following for the first time and was wondering if I need to clean them before using them again.

1) Sonus MF drying towel
2) Sheepskin wash mitt
3) Concours buffing towel
4) MF polish applicator pads
5) Cotton polish applicator pads

I would absolutely wash each of these items after every use. (I assume the sheepskin mitt is a wool, mitt?) I have multiples of each and keep a hamper in my garage. When I use then, I toss them in the hamper. Then once a week I do a big wash.

HINT: keep a "Stain Stick" handy and "spot" each towel where you get stains before you wash them. You can get them in the laundy section. This is better than using Dawn.

Wash in warm water with a liquid detergent and dry in the dryer in warm or cool down mode to keep things fluffy. It's better than hand drying.

I like to use a zippered "delicate bag" to hold my mitts. It keeps the excess fluff that comes off them from getting all over the washer. It's kinder on the mitts that way, too. They will last longer.

[matthewz]

Originally Posted by BradB

HINT: keep a "Stain Stick" handy and "spot" each towel where you get stains before you wash them. You can get them in the laundy section. This is better than using Dawn.

Wash in warm water with a liquid detergent and dry in the dryer in warm or cool down mode to keep things fluffy. It's better than hand drying.

I like to use a zippered "delicate bag" to hold my mitts. It keeps the excess fluff that comes off them from getting all over the washer. It's kinder on the mitts that way, too. They will last longer.

Nice advice! Here's a thought, for folks without a "Lingerie bag" for their wash mitts :-) ..GENTLY turn the mitt inside out. Should reduce agitation against the long fibers of the mitt. take an old plastic comb while damp, and gently remove any trapped bug bits or debris. Rest of 'em should come out while it dries. Amazing how much grit a lint basket captures after I wash my beach gear!

Just did my first wash. Not the full-bore, multi-hour Zaino impregnation, but my first "be gentle" wash, with the mitt. Appalled at all the bug crap on the car, only some of it came off the clear bra and windshield. Guess I shouldn't wait until 2700 mi. on the odometer, huh?

The ol' waffle-weave from Autopia found some dirt for me, as well. Think I need more effort on the rockers and spats, from the look of things. Definitely gotta put extra effort into the hatch on the boot.

Cheers,
Matthew Z.

[agranger]

I agree with BradB. Definately wash microfibers in a separate load. One got by me and snuck in with my cotton towels... Almost all of the lint from the cotton wound up stuck to the microfiber.

One thing not mentioned above (or if it was, I missed it)... Use liquid detergent when you wash your auto stuff... not the powders. If a grain of that powder doesn't dissolve and gets imbedded in the fabric, you will be breaking out the Scratch-x soon...

[bluezone]

I definitely wash all my items separately. That's around 3 separate loads for me. Extra trouble but it's worth it. Have a boatload of micro fibers too. Sometimes I'm not always able to get everything washed as fast as need. So it really helps out a lot to simply pay a few extra bucks and get extra cleaning cloths, shams and micro fibers. That way it's no prob if I didn't get around to the laundry before my next wash. Just in case