Tips For Cleaning Your Microfiber Towels

As magical as microfiber towels are, they must be washed after each use. The thing is, getting tire grime or carnuba wax out of these towels is far different than removing grass stains from jeans.

After use, a microfiber towel can be embedded with a mix of waxes, oils, polymers and assorted residues. These contaminants can be hard to remove. 

“The types of contamination found in automotive detailing towels will be far different than the soil, food, and grime found in other towels around your home,” said Nate Bloom of Adam’s Polishes, a Colorado-based manufacturer of car care products.

Whatever detergent you choose, make sure it’s a strong one that’s up to the task, Bloom said. “Removing a grass stain from your socks is a much different proposition than removing carnauba wax and polymer sealants from your towels,” he said. 

Bloom points out that some car care product manufacturers sell compounds specifically designed to clean microfiber towels. 

If using a laundry detergent, Bloom suggests avoiding detergents labeled “delicate”, as they lack the strength to sufficiently remove gunk embedded in your microfiber towels.

Bloom offers the following insights on how to clean your microfiber towels. 

• Wash the dirtiest microfiber towels separately to avoid cross-contamination. Microfiber towels used to clean wheels or polish metal will be dirtier than plush and drying towels.

• Use warm water. Some heat is required to break down waxes and polishes. Cold water will not clean towels as effectively.

• Wash microfiber towels separately. Microfiber towels washed with cotton and other materials can lead to lint and contaminants becoming embedded in the fibers. 

• Use a dedicated microfiber detergent or a dye-free/perfume-free liquid laundry soap. Avoid powdered or granulated detergents, as they may not fully dissolve and become embedded in the microfiber. 

• Use the extra rinse cycle, if possible. This will make sure as much of the contamination and remaining soap is removed from the towels as possible.

• Dry on the lowest setting. You can also air dry or hang microfiber towels on the clothesline, just be sure to do it in a place where the towels won’t be contaminated by dust or lint.