How to Properly Wash Microfiber Towels

Microfiber towels are the backbone of safe car detailing. But if you don’t wash them correctly, they lose softness, absorbency, and even start scratching your paint. In this guide, we’ll walk you through how to properly wash microfiber towels, which detergents to use, what temperatures are safe, and the best drying methods to make them last longer.

Why Proper Washing Matters

Microfiber works by using thousands of split fibers that grab dirt, water, and chemicals. If you clog or damage those fibers, the towel stops performing. Improper washing with fabric softeners, hot water, or bleach can ruin towels after just a few uses. Proper care means your towels stay plush, absorbent, and swirl-free for hundreds of washes.

Step-by-Step: How to Wash Microfiber Towels

1. Sort Your Towels

Never wash all your microfiber towels together. Group them by job:

• Paint Towels: Keep separate for washing, drying, and ceramic spray leveling.
• Interior Towels: Use for dashboards, plastics, and glass.
• Dirty Towels: Tires, wheels, and engine bay towels should never mix with paint towels.

2. Use the Right Detergent

Choose a liquid detergent free of dyes, perfumes, and softeners. Powder detergents often don’t dissolve fully and can clog fibers.

• Do: Use unscented liquid laundry detergent or a microfiber-specific detergent.
• Don’t: Use bleach, fabric softener, or dryer sheets.

3. Wash Settings

• Water Temperature: Warm is best (not hot).
• Cycle: Gentle or delicate cycle.
• Load Size: Don’t overload—the towels need water to flush dirt out.

4. Drying Towels Safely

Heat is microfiber’s enemy. High heat melts fibers and ruins absorbency.

• Air Dry: Safest method, hang towels in a dust-free area.
• Machine Dry: Use low heat or no heat with a clean lint filter.
• Avoid: Dryer sheets—they coat fibers and destroy absorbency.

Comparison: Right vs Wrong Washing Habits

Method	Result	Better Option
Using Fabric Softener	Clogs fibers, no absorbency	Wash with unscented detergent only
Hot Water & High Heat Drying	Melts fibers, ruins towel	Wash warm, dry low heat or air dry
Mixing Wheel Towels with Paint Towels	Cross-contamination & scratches	Sort towels by job

Pro Tips for Washing Microfiber Towels

• Pre-soak heavily soiled towels in warm water with detergent before washing.
• Use an extra rinse cycle to flush out detergent residue.
• Shake towels before drying to fluff fibers and reduce static.
• Store clean towels in a sealed container or bag to prevent dust contamination.

Common Myths About Washing Microfiber Towels

• Myth: Fabric softener makes towels softer.
  Truth: It coats fibers and makes towels less absorbent.
• Myth: Hot water cleans better.
  Truth: Hot water melts fibers—warm is plenty.
• Myth: All towels can be washed together.
  Truth: Cross-contamination can ruin paint-safe towels.

Real-World Example

A Jimbo’s customer used to toss all their towels in one load with regular laundry. Their drying towels stopped absorbing water after a few washes. After switching to proper sorting and warm-water washing, their microfiber towels regained softness and lasted 10x longer.

Extra Q&A

Q: Can I wash microfiber towels with normal laundry?

A: No. Lint and fabric softeners from normal laundry ruin microfiber performance.

Q: How often should I wash microfiber towels?

A: After every use on paint. Interior or glass towels can sometimes be reused once if they’re not heavily soiled.

Q: Do I need a special detergent?

A: Not necessarily, but microfiber-specific detergents work best. Unscented liquid laundry detergent also works.

Related Posts

• How to Properly Wash Microfiber Towels
• Microfiber Towel Mistakes That Ruin Paint
• How to Dry Microfiber Towels the Right Way