Mastering the Art of Care: A Guide to Washing Microfiber Towels and Mitts

Car detailing is an endeavor that requires both dedication and a thorough understanding of the tools at your disposal. Microfiber towels and car wash mitts are two unsung heroes of the detailing world, playing a crucial role in achieving that coveted showroom shine. However, ensuring their longevity and effectiveness requires more than simply tossing them in the washing machine.

In this article, we’ll uncover the secrets to washing microfiber towels and microfiber car wash mitts like a professional. Everything from proper detergent, hand washing, and the best way to dry your towels will be covered. By following these expert tips and tricks from the 3D Car Care team, you can extend the life of your detailing tools and ensure they are always performing at their best.

Do’s and Don'ts

Do's

• Separate microfiber from non-microfiber fabrics
• Use microfiber detergent
• Use the proper water temperature, such as cold or warm
• Use a delicate washing cycle
• Air dry or use low heat or no heat dryer settings
• Pre-soak heavily soiled microfiber towels

Don'ts

• Use high heat washing or drying temperatures
• Use bleach
• Use fabric softener or dryer sheets
• Mix microfiber with other natural fibers, such as cotton
• Iron

Washing Microfiber Towels and Mitts: Washing Machine

One of the most convenient ways of washing microfiber towels and mitts is to use a washing machine. Although frequent use of a washing machine will eventually wear out the microfiber, proper usage and frequency can help keep them clean and promote longevity.

Before tossing towels into the machine, inspect and separate towels that are heavily soiled. If some are just too dirty, consider retiring them. That said, you may have towels that have a couple stains but are still in decent shape. Before you start loading the washer, pre-treat the stained towels with a quality microfiber detergent, like our Towel Kleen.

Once you’ve pre-treated the stains, load the towels into the machine and add the correct amount of microfiber detergent (found on the label). From our experience, the best water temperature is cold (tap cold on some machines) or warm. Avoid hot water at all costs, as the heat can destroy the fibers and shorten the towels lifespan.

Once you’ve selected the appropriate water temperature, it’s time to select the proper cleaning cycle. We strongly suggest using the most gentle cycle available on your machine. Just like high-heat water, an aggressive cycle does a great job of cleaning and sanitizing, however it can lead to damaged fibers and decreased lifespan and performance.

Now that the towels are cleaned, you’ll need to dry them; the right way. Typically, air-drying microfiber towels and mitts is the best way to maintain its integrity and performance. However, if air-drying isn’t a viable solution, then using a dryer is fine. If using a dryer is the only route, ensure that you run it on a gentle cycle and use the lowest heat setting possible. Some machines do have an air-drying option, so if that’s available, use that instead.

Washing Microfiber Towels and Mitts: Hand Washing

Hand washing is not as convenient as a washing machine, however hand washing ensures maximum longevity and effectiveness. This is because the towels are not put through rigorous spin cycles and rinsing cycles like in a washer or dryer.

Like the machine washing method, you want to sort and separate heavily soiled and stained towels and pre-treat the ones that are salvageable with a microfiber detergent. Once you’ve pre-treated the stains, fill a clean bowl or bucket (depending on how any towels need to be cleaned) with water and detergent and soak the towels for a few minutes. We like to soak for around 5 minutes.

After the soaking stage, using your hands, gently agitate the towels to get the detergent and water solution distributed evenly. Using a gentle rubbing or kneading-like motion on each microfiber towel, paying attention to areas that are heavily soiled or stained.

Once the towels hit a cleanliness level you are comfortable with, run each one individually under cool water to get rid of any lingering soap residue. This is an important step, as any leftover soap can and will negatively affect the towels absorbency. Before setting out the towels to air-dry, gently wring them to get excess water out. Excessive wringing or twisting can lead to damage or distortion of the microfiber fibers

Microfiber Detergent That Gets the Job Done

When it comes to maintaining the quality and longevity of microfiber towels and car wash mitts, the detergent you use plays a pivotal role. The market is flooded with options, but 3D Car Care’s Towel Kleen stands out due to its balance between effectiveness and care. Our Towel Kleen microfiber detergent was designed to gently clean microfiber towels and wash mitts while preserving their absorbency and integrity.

Our product is designed to go above and beyond, removing a variety of detailing residues, from waxes to polishes. Towel Kleen is a versatile solution for microfiber, wool, and foam buffing pads. It can eliminate both water-soluble and water-insoluble remnants, ensuring a thorough cleansing process. This restores water absorbency and preserves the plush softness that microfiber is known for. The free-rinsing formula leaves no residue behind, leaving your towels feeling clean and fresh. The invigorating lemon scent is an added bonus. Towel Kleen is also Earth-friendly, biodegradable, and V.O.C. compliant, setting it apart from other products on the market.