Microfiber towels have become a household staple. Their super-absorbent nature makes them perfect for everything from drying dishes to polishing your car. But unlike your standard cotton bath towel, microfiber requires a special touch in the laundry room. Not only will proper washing extend their lifespan, but keeping them separate from other laundry is key to maintaining their magical drying power with the added benefit of protecting the integrity of other garments’ fabric, too.
Why Microfiber Needs Special Care
Microfiber towels are woven from ultra-fine synthetic fibers. These fibers create a massive surface area, allowing them to soak up impressive amounts of liquid. But what makes them great at absorbing water also makes them susceptible to harboring dirt and debris and cause unnecessary wear and tear to other items in the wash. Here's where washing them correctly becomes crucial.
The Trouble with Lint and Softener
Regular cotton towels, while cozy, shed lint. When washed with microfiber, this lint gets trapped in the tiny fibers. This not only reduces the microfiber's absorbency but can also clog pores and shorten the lifespan of both towels.
Fabric softener, a common laundry partner for cotton towels, is another enemy of microfiber. The chemicals in softener coat the fibers, creating a barrier that hinders their ability to absorb water. Imagine your super absorbent towel suddenly feeling slick and ineffective – that's fabric softener at work!
Washing Microfiber Towels: A Simple Guide
By following these steps, you can ensure your microfiber towels stay absorbent and effective for a long time:
Shake it Out: Before tossing your microfiber towels in the washing machine, give them a good shake outside or over a trash can. This removes any loose dirt, dust, or hair that might be clinging to the fibers.
Wash Separately: Wash your microfiber towels separately from all other laundry, especially cotton towels. Remember, lint is the enemy! Also, you may be tempted to throw a microfiber towel or two into a load with clothes. Don’t do that! Their tiny fibers can rub against other more delicate fabrics in the wash and make other garments lose their vibrancy over time.
Gentle Cycle: Select a gentle cycle with cool or warm water. Hot water can damage the delicate fibers. Skip the harsh agitation cycles that might come with heavy-duty settings.
Detergent Decisions: Ditch the harsh detergents and bleach. Opt for a gentle, fragrance-free detergent. You can even find specific microfiber detergents formulated for optimal cleaning.
Fabric Softener? Never! As mentioned earlier, fabric softener is a big no-no for microfiber towels. Avoid it at all costs!
Extra Rinse (Optional): If your washing machine has an extra rinse option, consider using it. This ensures all the detergent residue gets flushed out, maximizing absorbency.
Drying: Whenever possible, air dry your microfiber towels. The heat from a dryer can damage the fibers and reduce their lifespan. Hang them on a drying rack or clothesline. If air drying isn't an option, use the lowest heat setting possible on your dryer. Consider adding dryer balls to improve airflow and reduce drying time.
Bonus Tip: For heavily soiled microfiber towels, pre-treat any stains with a mild laundry stain remover before washing.
By following these simple steps and keeping your microfiber towels separate from other laundry, you can ensure they stay absorbent, effective, and ready to tackle any drying task for a long time to come. With a little laundry love, your microfiber towels will keep their magic touch!
The Mango Fresh Solution
If you have a mountain of these towels to tackle, then connect with Mango Fresh Laundry. We know how to wash, dry, and fold towels; and we can take care of these towels for you. Whether you are a homemaker with a pile of microfiber towels laying around that you’d rather offload, or a cleaning service with a ton of these, we have the equipment, products, and capacity to handle these. Schedule a pickup or if you are a business, connect with us for a bid on commercial towel laundry needs.
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