Micro fiber cloths - wash before first use?

I use Costco Microfiber cloths and they work great for removing wax.

 

You maybe referring to these...http://www.griotsgarage.com/search.jsp?searchtext=11117&search.x=19&search.y=6

 

It seems that most all of the various brands of "MF" cloths do a wonderful job of removing wax and producing a really nice finish. I did buy one very large (2' x 3') MF towel at Kragens ($!2) and it lapped up every bit of water from my car after a wash. I'll buy more for Christmas gifts

Cheers, Hank

 

Chemical Guys imports most of the quality microfiber's in the United States. One of thier offshoots is the "Cobra" brand Microfiber sold through Autogeek.net. The Cobra "Water Guzzler" will dry a Ferrari from soaking wet to dry easily.

With microfibers, what you pay is generally what you get. Like most Griot's products, I have never been impressed with thier microfibers (at least compared to others on the market for less/same price). I would avoid cheap microfibers because they have the chance to reek havock on your paint. A test that some people do is wipe thier microfiber on the back of a cd, if it scratches/hazes the surface, then it may do the same to your paint surface. With Ferraris, the paint is very soft, so it may be worth doing.

When washing your microfibers, it is very important they do not become contaminated with fabricsoftner, which will clog the fibers and cause streaking on the paint. To wash them, make sure your washer is clean from fabric softerners and use a pure liquid soap like Woolite orignal. Never use a powered/granulated detergant. Use hot water to break down the waxes/silicones, ect. Add a couple table spoons of distilled white vingear to the final rinse cycle to realease any dirt, sand, or minerals that collects in the fibers from the water source.

To dry the towels, use low heat. If you usually add a fabric softner to the drier, then you should wipe the drier down with rubbing alcohol first to make sure you are not contaminating the towels in the drier.

 

I wouldn't think using rubbing alcohol inside a dryer is a very wise thing to do.

 

Don't do it when its hot and leave the door open until it evoprates. I use a 75 distilled water/25 percent ISO mix, so I don't know what other problems it would casue?

 

Nice tips for the care of the microfiber towels, thanks!
BT

 

It is good to remember that there are different kinds of microfiber. My fave, and perhaps the most expensive to use, is my old underarmor shirts from the USMC. They are designed to and do soak up water like it was going out of style.

However, I think their type of MF is patented and not available in a towel. But I don’t really know.