What's up everyone!?!? So some months ago I was asking about methods for washing mf's and what products people were using. Mr. Fermani recommended some Towel Kleen and happened to send some my way (Thank you!). So for the past few months I've been washing my towels with 3 different "soaps". Products: DSC_0037 by Shook1db, on Flickr I had been using Tide Free & Gentle for several months before this test started and have now been using these for the past few months. Here's how the test was setup: Maytag Washer and Dryer (High Efficiency). These are both darn near brand new units so they both are functioning properly Ultrasoft 16x16 MF Towels from Autoality All towels were used for polish, wax removal, and glass cleaning 4 Towels washed with each type of soap Each towel washed 7 times All towels washed on "color/towels" mode on medium soil level on the warm water All towels were dried for 40 minutes at extra low heat NO Vinegar used in any of these tests 1.5 oz of Towel Kleen used per wash 1.5 oz of CG MicroFiberWash+ used per wash Followed directions on the kap of the Tide per wash (Very close to 1.5 oz) Now that I've explained the process let's get down to the results. I sadly do not have pictures of the towels I washed with CG's MicroFiberWash+ because some adhesive remover spilled on them and some plastic and the towels were ruined and had plastic fused into the fibers. . . Good waste of 4 towels. What I will say about the Chemical Guys Soap is that it worked well. I got 4 washes out of those towels before ruining them. The smell wasn't my favorite but I don't smell my towels that much so I don't mind. The towels had no staining or degradation of the fibers on the towels after 4 washes. I would recommend it as a good microfiber soap with the forewarning that I have only used it a few times and do not know the long term effects of the product. Chemical Guys MicroFiberWash+ 128 oz = $24.99 Pros: Amount of product used was slightly less than 3d Held up while I was using it on those towels Cons: Cost Smell isn't amazing Tide Free & Gentle: 50 oz = $9.99 Pros: Can find it in most stores that carry laundry soap Smell is fine Can use on clothes as well Cons: Doesn't remove stains well Degraded fibers quickly (possibly the polish/wax left over in the fibers) Slightly Expensive After 6 washes the towels had stains, and were no longer soft/fluffy. Vinegar fixes this issue as it helps the polish/wax release from the fibers. Without that this stuff is not worth using unless you are in a pinch (IMO). I actually ended up demoting the towels to interior care because of this. 3d Towel Kleen: 128 oz = $15.99 Pros: Cheap Smells good Great at removing stains Great at keeping fibers fluffy and soft Cons: May need a decent amount per wash depending on amount of towels. If I was washing 10+ towels I would use 2 oz each wash Doesn't Specify what a small and large load are on packaging. (Not a product issue) After all the washes were complete the towels were like new. No stains, very fluffy and soft and the fibers were still standing up great. I will continue to use these towels as paint towels until they eventually do fall apart from use. At least I will know it's not from the soap I'm using. Proof is in the pudding: 3d towels on the left, Tide on the right: DSC_0044 by Shook1db, on Flickr 3d Towel: DSC_0047 by Shook1db, on Flickr DSC_0045 by Shook1db, on Flickr DSC_0051 by Shook1db, on Flickr Sorry for the blurry picture. Tide: DSC_0050 by Shook1db, on Flickr DSC_0046 by Shook1db, on Flickr And the final pictures. Tide: DSC_0052 by Shook1db, on Flickr 3d: DSC_0053 by Shook1db, on Flickr All in all I would recommend 3d OR Chemical guys to anyone looking for a better soap than Tide. I will use 3d until it's gone, then use the Chemical guys soap, then buy more 3d. Chemical guys soap is 10 dollars more per gallon and 3d is doing a great job with keeping my towels new so I don't have to constantly buy new ones. Somehow, this soap is managing to save me money in two ways! Thanks for reading!
Appreciate your time and pictures.. Not sure what you mean here -- " What I will say about the Chemical Guys Soap is that it worked well. I got 4 washes out of those towels before ruining them" Did you really ruin your towels by washing them??? I have been using some microfiber towels in my Shop for over 8 years - Im not really sure how soap can ruin them, as I have never ruined any this way.. Your pictures of the washed towels look like the towels are not really clean as I get mine... Im using a new HE Front Loader, so they only get spun around and no agitation.. I believe you may be able to get your towels cleaner than what they look like here. I have used C/G microfiber wash and it works great for me, for years.. Have used Micro-Restore for years with similar results as C/G microfiber wash... For the record, I hope you are using Distilled White Vinegar and not regular Vinegar.. Dan F
Thanks! Nope, you may have skimmed over the part where I mentioned how they were ruined. " I sadly do not have pictures of the towels I washed with CG's MicroFiberWash+ because some adhesive remover spilled on them and some plastic and the towels were ruined and had plastic fused into the fibers. . . Good waste of 4 towels." The shadwos are mainly what you are seeing. The lighting in that room wasn't great for the pictures so some of the shadows look like stains. The towels on the right have actual stains on them but those are due to Tide not pulling stains out very well. I'm not using any vinegar, as stated above.
Curious did you use warm or cold water? I have Towel Kleen too and notice if you use a half an ounce more then recommended the towels come out slightly better.
Thanks David! I used the mid setting on the washer which is "cool" water. It's not cold or hot and slightly cooler than warm. Put it this way, I wouldn't choose to shower in that temp of water, lol. I did not try more than recommended but I also did not have issues with the way my towels were coming out either.
I wash all my towels in woolight in hot or warm water with out a problem. I have used ever brand of microfiber towel cleaner out there and woolight does pretty much the same thing. Hot/warm water help break down polish and losing dirt form the fibers better than cold water.
I heard dreft works very well also. havent used it, as i use CG also..works for me.,,wash 4 times does that mean you wash them 4 times before reusing them? just curious.thanks.
