Have you had trouble with stinky microfiber towels?

[riggs62]

Vinegar definitely has fabric softening properties. I hang clothes to dry on a line and use half the normal detergent amount and a cup of vinegar. Works like a charm! And no vinegar smell.

 

[mombird4]

I always use the Vinegar. Tried everything one time to get the musty smell out of clothes I had forgotten in the washer. Finally I poured about a cup in and rewash, presto fresh smelling again. Pour it on the sidewalks to get the grass that grows out. Just leave it for a day or two and sweep
Deanna

 

[ChefMoore]

Sorry, I'm new at this. When using vinegar, do you also use your regular detergent? When you add the vinegar, do you do it at the beginning when you would normally add your regular detergent, or do you wait until the rinse cycle at the end? Do you pour it right into the water, or into the space where fabric softener would usually go?

 

[janetupnorth]

Sorry, I'm new at this. When using vinegar, do you also use your regular detergent? When you add the vinegar, do you do it at the beginning when you would normally add your regular detergent, or do you wait until the rinse cycle at the end? Do you pour it right into the water, or into the space where fabric softener would usually go?

I'm sure everyone does it differently but I:

1. Add it at the beginning.
2. Add it in the main compartment.
3. Still use detergent but a little less.

 

[KellyTheChef]

When I am using vinegar as a softener (any time I am washing a load that includes ANY type of towel) I put it into my center "liquid softener" cup. If I am trying to get out nasty smells (like when I forget that there is a load in the washer and it sits for a couple of days...) I just add it to the main part when I put my detergent in.

My microfiber towels are always static-y though, so I think I will look for those dryer balls. My brother uses them and loves them!

 

[ginamkiely]

When I am using vinegar as a softener (any time I am washing a load that includes ANY type of towel) I put it into my center "liquid softener" cup. If I am trying to get out nasty smells (like when I forget that there is a load in the washer and it sits for a couple of days...) I just add it to the main part when I put my detergent in.

My microfiber towels are always static-y though, so I think I will look for those dryer balls. My brother uses them and loves them!

Kelly, I have those balls and my towels are STILL static-y (is that a word? lol) it's annoying but if you shake them out they seem better.

 

[KellyTheChef]

Ugh. I was hoping that would help! They are INSANELY full of static...they stick to EVERYTHING when they first come out. Not to mention that I can't stand touching the MF towels when they are dry. (dry hands, get "caught" on them...Ewwwwwwww!)

 

[KellyTheChef]

and my MF towels I mean microfiber towels, not what you all are thinking!



























potty mouths!

 

[ginamkiely]

WE have potty mouths? lol. I do believe you're the one that was thinking that. lol

I MF my husband all the time (in my head) lol.

see, you took me down with you to the potty!

 

[ChefBeckyD]

Ugh. I was hoping that would help! They are INSANELY full of static...they stick to EVERYTHING when they first come out. Not to mention that I can't stand touching the MF towels when they are dry. (dry hands, get "caught" on them...Ewwwwwwww!)

What I do that seems to help with the static is I air dry them, and then just throw them in the dryer for a couple minutes to fluff them back up - that seems to really help with the static.

 

[ChefBeckyD]

WE have potty mouths? lol. I do believe you're the one that was thinking that. lol

I MF my husband all the time (in my head) lol.

see, you took me down with you to the potty!

You microfiber your husband? I don't get it????

 

[raebates]

You microfiber your husband? I don't get it????

Maybe it's one of those Ewwwww things.

 

[ginamkiely]

Maybe it's one of those Ewwwww things.

lol, more like when i tell him to take out the trash or pick up after the dogs and he doesn't do it, i MF him in my head. lol. (kinda like mother trucker. lol)

 

[Chef Stacy Edwards]

What if you (oops) have used softner on your MF towels. Can you rewash them in vingar and they will be ok?

 

[janetupnorth]

What if you (oops) have used softner on your MF towels. Can you rewash them in vingar and they will be ok?

Yes, vinegar will help take out the fabric softener...

 

[Chef Stacy Edwards]

Yes, vinegar will help take out the fabric softener...

Thanks Janet..

 

[koren]

I hate that static scratchy feeling that the microfiber towels get-
But it does make them very good for dusting, just like the swiffers only reusable!
Koren

 

[KittyCooks]

I gave up dryer sheets when I started using Charlie's Soap to wash with. Natural, low-sudsing, easier on the clothes.Everything comes out of the wash much softer than it did before, and I haven't had a static cling problem, either (and I wear lots of knits, so that's been a problem in the past). My towels have never been so absorbent--plain terrycloth and the microfiber, both.Welcome - Charlie's Soap

 

[KellyTheChef]

Oh! I figured out FOR SURE what my main problem was with mine stinking. I know it's been mentioned, but



DON'T USE DAWN SOAP!!


I got a bottle of Palmolive a few weeks ago and .....NO MORE STINK! I still drape it over my soap bottle so it drys quickly, but I have noticed that they just don't smell anymore!

Yipee!

 

[peichef]

I ditto the vinegar. My favourite all-purpose cleaner.

 

[negativitysucks]

If you add borax to your wash water, it will take out any residue of anything from your towels, like fabric softener, starch, sizing, etc.
To avoid fabric softener, you can add baking soda in the wash water and/or vinegar in the rinse water for the best results. Or buy a natural fabric softener with a soy base instead of the chemical base. If it's scented, it's likely a chemical base.
Front loaders smell because the door closes tightly and moisture doesn't evaporate like in a top loader. I solved this problem by making my bleach load the last load I wash on laundry day and leaving the door open slightly afterward for a day and that keeps residual odor away and not to deposit on the next load that goes in. I also owned a coin laundry and the front loaders never had this problem because they were used all the time and never allowed to ferment.
And another laundry hint. Liquid laundry detergent works best on food and oil type soiling while powdered works best on dirt and grass. If you only buy one kind of detergent, buy liquid and add borax when washing something that would require a powder.
I have a front loader, sparkling whites, bright colors, absorbent towels, no funky odors, and only do laundry once a week. This includes dog beds and gym clothes so I know I'm doing something right

 

[princessmeshelle]

even though it is an old thread, it's got some good tips! now i wanna go get me 100 gallons of vinegar and some of those dryer balls!

 

[AnnieBee]

If you add borax to your wash water, it will take out any residue of anything from your towels, like fabric softener, starch, sizing, etc.
To avoid fabric softener, you can add baking soda in the wash water and/or vinegar in the rinse water for the best results. Or buy a natural fabric softener with a soy base instead of the chemical base. If it's scented, it's likely a chemical base.
Front loaders smell because the door closes tightly and moisture doesn't evaporate like in a top loader. I solved this problem by making my bleach load the last load I wash on laundry day and leaving the door open slightly afterward for a day and that keeps residual odor away and not to deposit on the next load that goes in. I also owned a coin laundry and the front loaders never had this problem because they were used all the time and never allowed to ferment.
And another laundry hint. Liquid laundry detergent works best on food and oil type soiling while powdered works best on dirt and grass. If you only buy one kind of detergent, buy liquid and add borax when washing something that would require a powder.
I have a front loader, sparkling whites, bright colors, absorbent towels, no funky odors, and only do laundry once a week. This includes dog beds and gym clothes so I know I'm doing something right

This is great info! As is the whole thread. I have a front loader that I LOVE, and I have also always left the door open to air it.

But I have learned so much about borax and vinegar too!

 

[pampchefrhondab]

Off topic - where had JenniferLynne been?

 

[kam]

Just reading the whole thread, I don't get the Dawn Soap thing.

What am I missing? I use it for my dishes and not laundry? Hopefully anything that I dry with my dish towels is already rinsed free of the soap...

How does Dawn stink up the laundry?

 

[ChefBeckyD]

Just reading the whole thread, I don't get the Dawn Soap thing.

What am I missing? I use it for my dishes and not laundry? Hopefully anything that I dry with my dish towels is already rinsed free of the soap...

How does Dawn stink up the laundry?

Using the microfiber dishclothes (not the towels) for washing dishes, and wiping up in the kitchen.

I've found that by boiling them in a pot of water w/ vinegar, I get rid of the smells, and it also makes them nice and soft again.

 

[byrd1956]

WE have potty mouths? lol. I do believe you're the one that was thinking that. lol
I MF my husband all the time (in my head) lol. QUOTE]

try vinegar!!!

My DH used vinegar to rinse his hair when we were dating; he swore that it made it softer.....
I have used it for a terrible sunburn and it definately takes away the sting....as long as you don't mind smelling like a walking salad!

 

[kam]

Using the microfiber dishclothes (not the towels) for washing dishes, and wiping up in the kitchen.

I've found that by boiling them in a pot of water w/ vinegar, I get rid of the smells, and it also makes them nice and soft again.

AH! Thanks for explaining that!

I thought you weren't supposed to use soap on Microfiber??

 

[baychef]

If you have hard water (not water with rocks in it but minerals!) white vinegar is wonderful to use with humidifiers and dishwashers too.

Love the MF ing your husbands...I sure it can apply to children too!!

My MF boyfriend wads up the dish cloth and leaves it on the sink. And I have explained the "why" of not doing it, etc. He is not trainable, however!!! SO I must admit that I too have MF'd him several times too!!

 

[ChefBeckyD]

AH! Thanks for explaining that!

I thought you weren't supposed to use soap on Microfiber??

It's not that you can't - it's that it's not always necessary...like when washing windows, etc....

BUT I have found that it can be hard to get all of the soap out, which is why boiling them with a little bit of vinegar helps!