How do you clean either a microfiber or a sponge wax applicator?

Ive washed, Ive soaked, Ive squeezed yet theres still wax trapped in it

 

I soak mine in our DP Pad Rejuvinator ... its citrus based and seems to remove wax and sealants. Its not very green, but alot just toss them after use.

 

Wash Applicators after use

Always wash applicators as soon as possible after use, the longer they sit the more the wax / polish 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 applicators and/or micro fibre. P12S Total Auto Wash is a d-limonene –based (citrus) cleaner; allow to soak in hot water (120.oF) rinse thoroughly and allow to dry

 

Is this the same for MF towles?
After I use let's say Zaino Z2, Z5, Z6 or Z8, I should soak or wash my MF towels ASAP?

George Ware

 

Washing / Care 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
• Wash drying towels separate from wax/polish towels
• 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.
• Using 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.

1. Lint or fibre shedding - dryer ***** (Life Miracle® Dryer System™) seem to help as they fluff up the fibres and lessen the static that is the main cause of Microfibers trapping lint.
2. Washing Machine - Car products can get left behind in the drum. Run a cleaning cycle once you’ve finished washing your micro fibre towels, using hot water, some liquid detergent and distilled white vinegar.
3. 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
4. Drying –air dry or use low / medium heat in a tumble dryer, adding two ‘Dryer Ball’ will help plump up the fibres’
5. Static – to avoid static build-up remove towels from machine while they are still a little damp and air-dry
6. Storage – store clean / dry towels in an air-tight plastic container

An extract from one of a series of 110 in-depth, unbiased “Detailing Technical Papers” © TOGWT ™ Ltd Copyright 2002-2009, all rights reserved. These papers will enable direct access to five decades of detailing knowledge and experience

 

Yep! Works perfect. This is the same stuff I use to clean all my polishing pads with too.

 

Thanks TOGWT!

George Ware

 

I clean my applicators and pads with Lake Country Snappy Clean Pad Cleaner or the P21S Total Auto Wash - 1000 ml Kit. Both of them are citrus based degreasers that safely break up contamiants, wax, sealant, polish, etc.

For microfiber towels I recommend you wash with Chemical Guys Microfiber Cleaning Detergent - 16 oz or the DI Microfiber Micro-Restore Microfiber Detergent Concentrate - 32 oz. We have both in the Gallon size as well if you want a better value. These products help keep the ultra tiny pores on the microfiber strands open and ready to clean.

Let me know if you have any other questions.

Greg @ DI

 

You're very welcome

 

Isn't P21S safe for wax and sealants? If so, how then can it clean them from applicators and towels?

 

Not sure what you mean by 'safe for wax / sealants, but P12S Total Auto Wash is a d-limonene –based (citrus) cleaner and will remove wax or polymers from paint or fabrics

 

1. Have you been detailing cars for 50 years?
2. Or you've been sharing information for 50 years?

Not that it matters, your information is always helpful to so many...

 

Detailing for more than 50 years (I started when I was fifteen at my Dad's MB Dealership.

Sharing information for as long as I can remember; knowledge unshared is experience wasted