Learning how to clean microfiber towels correctly can help them last a bit longer, so you’re not always buying new ones. And it’s worth getting it right because washing them the wrong way can make them less absorbent, meaning more work for you when you clean your car. The good news is that it doesn’t take much to keep them in good shape.
If you’re interested in an eco-friendly car hand wash with steam, download our Eco Wash Benefit Guide.
Machine Washing
It’s easier just to put dirty cloths in the washing machine, especially after a big DIY car wash job. That’s fine, but don’t throw them in with your regular laundry. Microfiber needs a little extra care, so wash them separately from clothes and cotton items. Basically, anything that produces lint. Here’s what to do.
- Shake out any loose dirt before washing. The last thing you want is grit caught in the fibers that could scratch your car later.
- If there are greasy marks, wax, or leftover detailing products on the towels, soak them before putting them in the washing machine.
- Use cold or warm water. Avoid very hot water as it can damage synthetic fibres.
- Use a suitable detergent, but skip the bleach and fabric softener. They can damage the fibers or coat them, leaving your towels less absorbent and not as good at picking up dirt.
Hand-Washing Microfiber Towels
If you only have a few microfiber towels to clean, you can wash them by hand instead of running the machine for a small load.
- Fill a clean sink or bucket with cold or warm water and add a small amount of detergent.
- Put the towels in the water and gently swish them around to loosen dirt.
- For dirtier towels, let them soak for 10-15 minutes.
- Rinse each towel well with clean water.
- Gently squeeze out the excess water. Try not to wring the towels too hard because you could damage the fibers.
Best Detergent for Microfiber Towels
Go for a fragrance-free liquid detergent without fabric softeners or other additives. You want to wash away the dirt, not leave a coating on the fibers that affects how well they absorb water.
Another option is a detergent made specifically for microfiber towels. They can sometimes be more expensive but might be worth buying if you do a lot of car detailing and regularly have a pile of towels to wash. Whichever detergent you use, don’t use too much. Using more won’t necessarily get your towels cleaner.
Should You Wash All Microfiber Towels Together?
No, not if you’ve used them for different detailing jobs. There are different types of microfiber car cloths for glass, paintwork, interiors and other cleaning jobs.
A cloth you’ve used to dust the dashboard will be in a very different state from one covered in wheel grime or car wax. So, before you start washing, sort your towels by the job you’ve used them for.
Microfiber Towels for Interior Cleaning
If you’ve used your towels for car interior detailing, they might have picked up dust, food, dirt, and leftover cleaning products. Keep them away from really dirty exterior cloths, particularly anything you’ve used on the wheels or greasy areas.
Be a bit more careful with towels used for cleaning car windows, too. Washing them with cloths covered in wax, polish, or oily products could leave residue behind. And that’s the last thing you want when you’re trying to get streak-free windows.
Microfiber Towels for Exterior Cleaning
Microfiber towels for your car exterior are bound to be dirtier than others. Anything covered in road grime, wax, or polish might need a soak before it goes in the washing machine.
It’s also a good idea to keep cloths used for tire detailing and engine cleaning away from the ones you use on paintwork and glass. Save your cleanest towels for the more delicate jobs where dirt or grit could spoil the finish.
Can You Put Microfiber Cloths in the Dryer?
Yes, you can put microfiber towels in the dryer, but just stick to a low or no-heat setting. High heat can damage the synthetic fibers.
Avoid using dryer sheets. Like fabric softener, they can leave residue on the fibers and make the towels less absorbent and effective at cleaning. Ideally, the best way to dry your microfiber towels is to hang them up indoors or outdoors and let them air-dry naturally.
Storing Your Clean Towels
Once your microfiber towels are completely dry, put them in a drawer or cupboard where they can’t collect dust. Or pack them down in your car interior detailing kit, so they’re to hand the next time you clean your car.
It also makes sense to organize your car wash cloth types by detailing task. For example, keep towels used on wheels and engine areas separate from the ones used on glass, paint, and interior surfaces. And save your cleanest microfiber towels for final buffing, polishing, and other jobs where you want a streak-free finish.
When Should You Replace Your Microfiber Towels
Even with proper care, microfiber towels don’t last forever. If a towel still feels greasy after washing, has lost its absorbency, or feels a bit rough, it might be time to replace it.
However, you don’t need to throw an old towel away. Use it for wheels, engine bays, or other dirty jobs instead and get a fresh towel for paintwork and glass.
Conclusion
Knowing how to clean microfiber towels is pretty straightforward once you’ve got the basics down, from choosing the right detergents to drying them properly. Of course, when you’re busy, it’s tempting to do a rushed job and just bung them in the washing machine with the rest of your clothes. But that could leave your towels in less-than-perfect shape for your next car detailing job.
If you love a clean vehicle but don’t want to deal with the pile of dirty car cloths afterwards, we can help. Our friendly team uses steam to clean your car interior and exterior, with microfiber towels helping to wipe away dirt and excess moisture as they work.
For more details on our eco-friendly car wash, download our Eco Wash Benefit Guide.
