How to keep microfibers soft and keep from linting?

I guess this is something I've yet to master...

I have issues with my microfibers leaving an intense amount of lint all over the paint and especially glass. It sticks by static cling I guess
I think it's from drying them in the dryer. I know I've heard to air dry microfibers, but that doesn't seem to work for me. When i tried this, the towels became stiff.

Can you guys give me some tips on how to wash microfibers and keep them as soft as possible and prevent them from having static lint problems?

Btw, I've ben washing the towels with regular Gain, no fabric softeners or bleach, but I've been thinking about using micro restore. If I do this, do I just use micro restore? Or do I add it to the detergent?

 

Use micro restore alone. No need for anything else.

 

use micro restore. and i just have a bunch of cheap plastic hangers that i hang them on after washing to let them air dry. never use the dryer. and never wash them with anything other than other microfibers as the microfibers will attract lint from non-microfibers.

never had an issue with lint or stiffness, and i've had some of mine for a few years now. good as new.

 

Can micro restore be used with an HE washer?

 

You can add vinegar to your detergent. It's a natural softener.

 

I use this to wash mine. http://www.detailersdomain.com/MicroRestore-Microfiber-Detergent_p_126.html

 

Yes. I have used it in HE washer (Kenmore and LG) for the last 8 years...

 

I also wash all my microfiber separately, in an HE washer. I only use Micro-Restore or Chemical Guys microfiber wash (save yourself a lot of trouble and buy it by the gallon), and I throw in some Distilled White Vinegar in with the rinse cycle, and I get really clean, fluffy, microfiber towels that I dry in the Dryer for 10 minutes at Low. If they are not all dry, I will do 5 more minutes at Low, or Air Dry them and they still come out very fluffy, and all the nap is raised.
They work great, I never get any linting.

Dan F

 

My initial reaction was that ampbmw was drying them at too high a temperature but if his towels are coming out stiff from air drying I think it looks like Gain detergent may be the guilty party. I mostly use MicroRestore to wash mine and it is the best choice in my experience but I have also used Tide Free or All Free without major issues (HE washer). You might try an extra rinse cycle too if you have really hard water. I don't think using a dryer should be an issue provided that temperature isn't too high. If the temperature of the drum is high enough that you can't comfortably leave your hand on it it is probably too hot. I usually do use the dryer to get my towels about 3/4 dry and then either hang to air dry or use the air fluff cycle to get them to the point where they are dry enough to store. Also it seem like some cheap towels are lint monsters no matter how you care for them.

 

hey Dan,

i'm using micro-restore right now as well, was thinking of trying out the CG microfiber wash when i finish my bottle.

how much of the CG MF wash is used per wash? i know that micro-restore is 1 oz for small wash and 2 oz for large wash.

how do you lke it compared to each other? any one you prefer more over the other?

curious about the white vinegar in the rinse cycle, currently i just let them rinse with plain water in the washer.

To OP: i use a dedicated MF wash detergent and wash them separetly in the machine. i then let them air dry on a large drying rack that i have, no problems what so ever.

something along the likes of this:

 

This is exactly what I do as well. I have used regular laundry soap as well with the vinegar rinse and get the same good results. I also use the extra rinse feature on my washer t make sure I get all the soap out.

 

Im surprised no one added charlies liquid soap to the list I been using Charlies soap or Chemical guys mf wash

 

great info you guys!

 

I use Ecover Delicate Wash with success; pretreating marks and dirty spots with Shout is an added bonus. I've found that using OxiClean makes microfibers towels stiff and harsh. I dry them in our Miele T 9822 on the Delicate cycle and they come out quite well. Color of microfibers towels I'll NEVER purchase again: yellow. Purchased yellow microfiber for everyday use and they suck as the color runs when washed; if you wash them with any other color (even if they have been washed before) they still run.

 

I have bunch of yellow towels from at least three different sources and I haven't had any problems with the color running, at least not after the first wash. In theory, paler, lighter-colored towels (white, light gray like the PS Silver Surfers, light yellow, pale blue, etc.) should be softer than darker colors (black, red, dark gray, dark blue, purple, dark green, etc.) as they require less dye.

I think I have come to the same conclusion about OxiClean, even the "Free" version. We have Ecover Delicate Wash but I've never used it on my towels. I'll give it a try. Have you tried the Ecover Stain Remover as a substitute for Shout?
For general laundry like my jeans and t-shirts I don't think any of the "green" laundry detergents like Ecover, Seventh Generation or BioKleen work quite as well as mass market brands like Tide, Cheer and All.

 

I attribute the utter lack of colorfastness to my tag along with my wife to the insufferable Costco where I saw the requisite zillion microfiber bulk bag, and purchased it because "it was a good deal".

I have the Ecover Stain Remover, but didn't try it given its bristle-brush top applicator; I guess I can simply tamp the heavier stains with it. I have found no detergents to date that can outperform Persil or Miele's own (undoubtedly re-boxed) detergents. The green detergents are making measurable strides, but I agree, they still cannot measure-up to the major brands quite yet.

 

BoredStudent --

I use either one (C/Guys or MicroRestore), whichever is less money when I buy the gallon. They both work about the same.
I put in at least 2 oz, sometimes 3oz in the HE washer, fill up the little cup for fabric rinse with white distilled vinegar, set the temp to warm, set a 2nd Rinse, and let it go to town
Sometimes, if the ones I use for general cleaning are really dirty, I will thrown them in, put 1 oz of hot microfiber soap in a bucket, pour it all over them in the washer, then do the drill above, and they have a head start on getting plenty of microfiber soap on them.

In my experience, the Distilled White Vinegar in the Rinse cycle really helps the towels stay soft, very absorbent, and very good at removing compounds, polish, sealants, wax, etc...

I have so many to do, that I took a chance awhile back and started drying them on low for just a few minutes at a time, and it has worked out just fine.

We have that same rack in your picture above !

Dan F

 

Using CG wash atm but will probably switch to Microrestore since its usually cheaper. Definitely buy by the gallon!

 

how much vinegar do you guys put in with the rinse cycles? I've been using the micro detergent from dd, but have not tried the vinegar yet...

thanks!

 

About a half to a full cup works for me, depending on whether the load is medium or large size. As with many things in detailing, less is more.