I know the title sounds stupid, but I was wondering if I’m using my microfiber towels correctly. I bought a few of these Meguiars MF towels to use on my Camry and so this weekend when I washed my car, I used one to clean my windows. I was disappoint when after spraying tint-safe cleaner into the towel, I wiped the windows with the towel and it left behind a small amount of lint behind. I flipped the towel over and dried the area and there still remained a small amount of lint (as if by static cling). I thought ‘aren’t these things 100% lint free?’ The towel was straight out of the bag and was not washed prior to use. Should I wash them first? Should they be washed alone vs. with other towels where they might really pickup lint? Or, am I just over analyzing this?
It's typically recommended that you wash them once before you use them.
If you search the forum you'll find varying opinions on the best washing methods, but most suggest washing your MFs separately from other items. I wash all my MFs in a batch with no other items. Don't use any fabric softener, just plain laundry detergent. Some people use Woolite. There are also special detergents made just for MF that you can get from places like Autogeek.com, etc.
Some people will say line dry, some will say the dryer is fine. I line dry mine. If you put them in the dryer, tumble dry with no heat or low heat and again, don't use any fabric softener sheets.
As for an initial washing, look at it this way -- while they will not lint, they will catch lint. When the towels are made, the edges are cut and thus creating lint during the manufacturing process, so that's likely what you were seeing.
Also, I too think it's a good idea to wash them before using them as you don't know where those towels have been in terms of being manufactured, transported, handled, stuck in the shopping cart, etc.
In other words, while the towels won't scratch (if they're quality), they can carry things that can scratch.
I always wash (liquid detergent only), tumble dry, inspect on a clean surface, fold and put away in a clean place. Never drop them on the ground.
Oh, and I like to use those fabric softener balls that toss the towels around in the dryer... I think it helps fluff them up while completing the drying process a little better.
One more thing... buy a variety of towels... learn that there are better towels out there than the ones you bought. Not that these are horrible, but there are better ones in different qualities (while there are some good towels made in China, most towels made in Korea are good). There are polishing towels, drying towels, detailing towels, and glass towels (though I tend to like a waffle weave-type towel for automotive glass). And there's even a place for cheap towels, such as wheel and metal or chrome polishing.
Meguiar's usually makes quality stuff, but I would try another brand of MF towel because I've never had any linting with the ones I use. Get some Viking gray microfivers from your local Target. They are pretty good.
On washing MF Towels eddie926 is right on, the only thing that I can add is if you line dry the material will hold up and last longer. Rather then throwing them in the dryer!!
Blah Blah Blah! If you want quality MF towels go to http://www.autogeek.net/mictow.html and get the Cobra's. By far the best around. OTC (over the counter the Meg's are good, but no where near the Cobra's). Also when you wash your microfibers you can NOT wash anything else with them...same with the drying. Wash with liquid detergent and a splash of simple green (my added secret) on delicate cycle, tumble dry on delicate (super low setting) and buy some of these http://www.asseenontv.com/prod-pages/dryer_balls.html (blue balls). They actually refluff the towels to give them a more plush feel and they take less time to dry.
Actually, I disagree. I have one and have been disappointed with it from the beginning. It leaves a lot of streaks. I don't really recommend this product. For me, the best non-streaking thing I've found is newspaper.
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2009 Blizzard Pearl Sienna Limited
To avoid streaking on the glass, I've had my best results using Stoner's Invisible Glass or Sprayway glass cleaner and using two MF towels. Spray product on glass. Wipe with towel #1, then immediatlely wipe with towel #2. Then, continue to use #1 as your "wet" towel, and #2 as your "dry" towel. Be sure to avoid touching the glass with your hand as you wipe. Oil from your skin will smudge.
I've never cared for the newspaper thing. I always end up with newsprint all over my hands and subsequently on anything else I happen to touch. But then, maybe I've just never used the correct technique.
Guess we've strayed off the original "linty MF" topic.
Great to see people are experiencing the difference in Microfiber technology! There is a huge difference, and towels can cost from $.30 to $20, depending on quality and technology.
We started importing a nice towel from Korea 7 years ago, then went to China as the price was less than half. We realized immediately that the best towels from China are equivalent to the medium-quality towels from Korea. Our customers rejected the cheaper towels, even at a lower price.
Here's a microfiber quality test: Does the towel stick to your hands or finger prints? If yes, the towel is on the lower quality end of the scale. The towels available at Wal-Mart, Pep Boys, and the like are all Chinese, entry level towels. They are better than cotton towels, use them for polishing aluminum, cleaning engines, checking oil, etc. They are cheap enough, and anything is better than cotton shop towels!
Go for Korean Microfiber, and you won't back, even at 4X the price! Super Plush is again higher in quality, but also comes with a hefty price tag. If you want only the best for your paint, zero-scratching, keep a few set aside for your most perfectly painted finishes.
To avoid streaking on the glass, I've had my best results using Stoner's Invisible Glass or Sprayway glass cleaner and using two MF towels. Spray product on glass. Wipe with towel #1, then immediatlely wipe with towel #2. Then, continue to use #1 as your "wet" towel, and #2 as your "dry" towel. Be sure to avoid touching the glass with your hand as you wipe. Oil from your skin will smudge.
I've never cared for the newspaper thing. I always end up with newsprint all over my hands and subsequently on anything else I happen to touch. But then, maybe I've just never used the correct technique.
Guess we've strayed off the original "linty MF" topic.
I really like Stoner's.
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2009 Blizzard Pearl Sienna Limited
Cobra are among the better microfiber towels. The microfiber is made in Korea, and sent to China so it can be sewn cheaply. Quality towels for sure, and clearly better than the Chinese made and stitched cousin.
Actually, I disagree. I have one and have been disappointed with it from the beginning. It leaves a lot of streaks. I don't really recommend this product. For me, the best non-streaking thing I've found is newspaper.
First off what kind off glass cleaner are you using? That makes a a world of difference. And how are you washing and drying that towel? (You can not use fabric drying sheets when you dry MF towels or the waffle weaves). Meg's NXT glass cleaner is my personal choice. Once in a blue moon I will use the newspaper to polish the glass!
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