Article Revisions / Updates The advent of new materials like detailing clay, micro fibre, polymer coating, nano-particle technologies and new micro abrasives are examples of why it’s so important to monitor the industries new products, chemical technologies and ideas that are constantly being introduced, as are the techniques for applying them, hence all of the in-depth articles will be up-dated and revised on a regular basis Micro fibre Care Proper care is simple; to ensure your towels and buffing cloths provide long-term use, wash them frequently after every use and as soon as possible, in a liquid soap (Micro Restore) in hot 120oF< (48oC <) water, add a teaspoon per towel distilled white vinegar, the vinegar doesn't coat the fibres but instead works to eliminate detergent residue (do not use fabric softener) in the rise cycle, and finally a thorough cold rinse. Always wash micro fibre separately and only with other micro fibre fabrics. Use the hot setting on dryer, (your towels will not melt) no softener sheets Regardless of material type or quality, a dirty micro fibre, or a 100% Cotton towel will scratch, micro fibre has attractant properties, that is dirt, dust, and various other substances cling to it, which is one of the reasons that it works so well, but it is also a reason why you need to be extra careful when using towels on your paint Three types of energy are required; 1. Chemical energy- provided by the synthetic cleaner 2. Mechanical energy - (agitation) provide by machine or hand 3. Thermal energy -provided by warm or hot water; heated water breaks down water-soluble soiling faster as it reduces overall chemical usage because it reduces the surface tension. Before using micro fibre towels for the first time; •Remove labels / tags •Check for towel colour fastness before washing •Wash towels before using Wash Towels after use Always wash towels as soon as possible after use, the longer they sit the more the contaminants will set. The chemicals used in car care products will negatively affect the fibres structural integrity and weaken them, shortening their useful life. Residual chemicals will cause streaking, whereas dried chemicals will cause scratches. Do not use bleach or high alkaline cleaning products as they will shorten the life of your micro fibre. Read the label on the detergent bottle and use half of what they recommend and use hot water (120oF) Wash Directions (Towels) Heat acts as a catalyst promoting quicker reactions between chemicals and the soil thereby minimizing dwell time. Warm or hot water helps dissolve grease and oil in soil, agitation or hand rubbing helps pull the soil free. This concentrated aqueous formula is a special blend of surfactants, emulsifiers, chelating agents and water softeners. •Once you have finished detailing with the towel, allow it to soak in a bucket with a suitable micro fibre detergent. This will make it easier to clean and prolong the life of the towel as any chemicals that could potentially harm the fibres are removed sooner, keep in mind that excessive use of powerful degreasers may eventually damage the fabric. •Wash / Rinse after using and before you use a different product (i.e. don’t use to remove polish and then apply wax) •Always wash towels separately from other fabrics using hot water •Washing your towels on a regular basis without allowing them get too soiled, they will last much longer •Woolite® is intended for delicate fabrics and fine washables such as lingerie and cashmere sweaters, so it won’t remove polish or car care products •As a pre-spotter: dilute 1 part concentrates with 3 parts hot water, apply to stain and launder as usual. •Use hot (120oF) water and add 1-2 ounces to a standard size (8 gallon) load, for larger loads or heavily soiled laundry •Use a liquid detergent (or a speciality product like Micro-Restore) without softener, bleach, whiteners. • If possible buy the versions that are perfume and additive free as all these do is chemically coat the fabric and reduce its efficiency. •Half the washing detergents manufacturers suggested amount is usually sufficient •During the rinse cycle, add 1-tsb per towel white distilled vinegar to help dissolve detergent and hard water minerals •Do not use fabric softeners or toss-in sheets, as they deposit chemicals on the fabric that will transfer to whatever you are cleaning or polishing with the towel. Drying –air dry or use medium heat in a tumble dryer, by adding plastic Dryer Ball will help plump up the fibres Storage – store clean / dry towels in an air-tight plastic container Fabric Softeners Do not use fabric softener (most contain silicone that the towel will adsorb and clog the fibres thereby reducing their effectiveness) fabric softeners work by coating the surface of the cloth fibres with a thin layer of chemicals, a towel will also treat the fabric softener as if it was dirt by trying to store the tiny particles of the softener in the towel fibres. This will clog up the fibres and render the towel ineffective. Add a teaspoon per towel distilled white vinegar in place of a softener in the final rinse cycle, the vinegar instead works to eliminate detergent residue and the acid counteracts any alkaline minerals in the water supply. Do not use vinegar in every wash as it is a cationic (hydrogen ions bind to the anionic groups on the fibres) the disadvantage of coating fibres by hydrophobic layer is in decreasing the absorption properties of the fabric. Vinegar (Acetic acid, pH 2) works well in the rinse cycle to make your towels softer. Detergent is an alkaline (pH=12, the opposite of acidic on the pH scale).When you wash your towels (or anything for that matter) there are small amounts of detergent left behind, when your add Vinegar it balances the pH of the solution and helps removes the excess detergent from the wash. Mixing Fabrics Do not wash micro fibre cloths / towels with other non- micro fibre fabrics, as they will pick up lint from other fabrics. Air dry or you can dry micro fibre cloths / towels in any dryer on low heat, remove them before they are still damp (cuts down on static charge) Colours may bleed during first washing After using Washing Machine To ensure that the washing machine has no residual detergent or fabric softener; rise the machine drum with a 1:3 solution of washing liquid (with no bleach) / distilled white vinegar, clean about every 2-3 months Towels Streaking •If a micro fibre towel tends to ‘streak’ boil the towels in a water / distilled white vinegar (1/4-cup) solution for at least 20 minute, this will soften the fibres, and release any wax / polish residue. This will also release any lint, which will actually come to the surface of the water. Pre-soak in a liquid detergent / water and then squeeze out wax/polish with your hands and rinse thoroughly. •Allow micro fibre towels to boil for twenty (20) minutes (ensure that water does not fully evaporate) you will find that more wax / polish residue comes out even after a towel has been thoroughly washed. •Empty out the water and then remove the towel, don't do it the other way or you'll re-introduce residue to the towel. An extract from one of a series of in-depth detailing articles © TOGWT ™ Ltd Copyright 2002-2008, all rights reserved
Holy Crap, Are you the inventor of Micro-fibre?:giggle: At the least I know you must be an Attorney, or an Author.:shead: If I ever have a M/F question I'm coming back to this Thread...:chips: Thank You for spending the time to do this Very Informative write-up...You da man:worship2:
