Want softer MFs? Like much softer?

[G35stilez]

Add more vinegar!


I've tried products from standard detergents, degreasers, APCs, dedicated MF cleaners, and just about everything in between. I always seems to come back to the same regimen, but today I went a little over the top. Here's what I did for a load of 12 towels and 4 MF applicators:


-Hot wash with a cup of Gain detergent
-64 oz. distilled white vinegar
-Heavy setting with extra rinse cycle
-Low heat dry for 40 minutes


WOW!

I've always used an ounce or two of vinegar per MF towel, but today I was feeling over zealous after picking up (3) 1.5 gallon vinegar bottles from Costco this weekend (under $3 each). I just kept dumping until I drained about 1/2 gallon into the mix.

No chemical smells, no residue, just clean, incredibly soft towels.

Hope this helps.

[jaybs02]

I also use vinegar when I wash my towels but only about 1/4-1/2 cup.
Are you concerned over the long term effect of using that much vinegar?

Vinegar is acidic, and I was wondering what would happen to the fibers using that much.

"J"

[DFTowel]

Like I said in the other forums where you posted this info... THIS IS DANGEROUS! Using that much white vinegar will cause your towels to disintegrate very rapidy. This is not good advice and should not be followed.

Leo

[mgm2003]

Are you giving your MF's an 'acid bath' if you mix vinegar AND soap?

Occasionally (once or twice a year), I'll use 32oz of vinegar on my MF's for 'deep cleaning', and I have not had any noticeable ill effects outside of normal wear and tear.

Most of the time, I mix a 1 cup of vinegar per full load of MF's. This really does clean out your MF's.

I cycle out my MF's on average every 12-18 months (depending on use, etc), so eventually all of them land in the door jam/wheel tupper-wear bin. If I wanted to maintain a MF for 3+ years, I might consider another approach.

I prefer to have my MF's as clean as possible -especially the one's that I use on my personal cars. If I'm giving up a little durability, then I'm fine with that. Others may have a different opinion.

[G35stilez]

Originally Posted by DFTowel

Like I said in the other forums where you posted this info... THIS IS DANGEROUS! Using that much white vinegar will cause your towels to disintegrate very rapidy. This is not good advice and should not be followed.

Leo

Leo: Can you elaborate a bit? I have never heard of the fibers degrading if too much vinegar was used.

[Stephan]

I did some research as well and I couldn't find anything that suggested Vineger would damage any type of fabric, actually from what I could find it is recommended for almost everything.

I didn't realize it was such a versital liquid. From killing weeds, to being a fertilizer for some types of plants, cleaning clothes...

Maybe we need a Poorboys vinegar cleaner

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[G35stilez]

Originally Posted by Stephan

I did some research as well and I couldn't find anything that suggested Vineger would damage any type of fabric, actually from what I could find it is recommended for almost everything.

I didn't realize it was such a versital liquid. From killing weeds, to being a fertilizer for some types of plants, cleaning clothes...

Exactly my thoughts.

My mother uses it to wash her vegetables and fruits from pesticides before eating. It's like WD-40 in respect to it's plethora of uses.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vinegar

http://www.versatilevinegar.org/usesandtips.html

http://www.vinegartips.com/laundry/ (says: "The acid in white distilled vinegar is too mild to harm fabrics, yet strong enough to dissolve the alkalies in soaps and detergents. Besides removing soap, white distilled vinegar prevents yellowing, acts as a fabric softener and static cling reducer, and attacks mold and mildew.")

[jaybs02]

Originally Posted by G35stilez

Exactly my thoughts.

My mother uses it to wash her vegetables and fruits from pesticides before eating. It's like WD-40 in respect to it's plethora of uses.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vinegar

http://www.versatilevinegar.org/usesandtips.html

http://www.vinegartips.com/laundry/ (says: "The acid in white distilled vinegar is too mild to harm fabrics, yet strong enough to dissolve the alkalies in soaps and detergents. Besides removing soap, white distilled vinegar prevents yellowing, acts as a fabric softener and static cling reducer, and attacks mold and mildew.")

Sean, I wasn't questioning the use of the vinegar but more of the amount, many things are fine in proper proportion.

I was wondering if 1/2 gal doesn't seem excessive

Edit:
I didn't bother to check, but you can also use vinegar to loosen rusted bolts
"J"

[LikeaRock]

I've never heard of using Vinegar when washing MF's, and it makes me mad that I heard about this today because I washed all of mine last night!

I usually put my MF's through a second cycle with no detergents whatsoever. Would adding vinegar in the first wash and running the second cycle make them even softer?

[chml17l]

Originally Posted by LikeaRock

I've never heard of using Vinegar when washing MF's, and it makes me mad that I heard about this today because I washed all of mine last night!

I usually put my MF's through a second cycle with no detergents whatsoever. Would adding vinegar in the first wash and running the second cycle make them even softer?

The vinegar only needs to be added to the final rinse. If you add the vinegar to the detergent you're essentially buffering your alkaline detergent, and not allowing it to perform at the pH it is intended to work.

[joe.p]

Originally Posted by G35stilez

:



-64 oz. distilled white vinegar
-Heavy setting with extra rinse cycle
-Low heat dry for 40 minutes



No chemical smells, no residue, just clean, incredibly soft towels.

Hope this helps.

The regimen works great i too use to use APC,pinnacle restorer, etc.
I started doing this when someone in the house put 2 fabric sheets in the dryer thinking they where helpling me out,btw i had 15-20 new MF's in the dryer at the time .

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[DFTowel]

We use vinegar solutions to break down fabrics before processing such as buffing. From 35+ years in the textile business I'm telling you guys, this is not a good idea! It's simply TOO MUCH, laundry sites will truthfully say that white vinegar won't damage but they are talking about recommended quantites such as 1/4 to 1/2 a cup per full laundry load, not amounts increased by a factor of over 200!

Just be careful with this.

[Woob]

I usually put White Vinegar in a few minutes after the Detergent gets applied to the towels, this is for a First Gen front loaded Washer, so the Soap unit gets water running from the start. Will there be any compatibility problems?

[exile]

Originally Posted by chml17l

The vinegar only needs to be added to the final rinse. If you add the vinegar to the detergent you're essentially buffering your alkaline detergent, and not allowing it to perform at the pH it is intended to work.

+1

[black bart]

Originally Posted by chml17l

The vinegar only needs to be added to the final rinse. If you add the vinegar to the detergent you're essentially buffering your alkaline detergent, and not allowing it to perform at the pH it is intended to work.

I agree putting it in with the soap will only screw up the soap.
I have been using white vinegar for several years but i always use a double rinse and I add about a cup of vinegar to the final rinse.
Dry on low heat until nearly dry then Finnish drying with air fluff no heat.
They will be nice and soft do not use any softener in the dryer the MF towels will pick up the chemicals and may cause streaking.