Have a look at my thread on the main S2ki forum

https://www.s2ki.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=700472

Our cousins in States seem to have all the microfiber detergents over there, but
I can't seem to find much over here in UK. The only one I found was http://www.performancemotorcare.com/acatal...Wash_473ml.html

This one is not even 500ml for a tenner, while Americans get theirs at $30 for 1 gallon (4.5lintre). To get the same amount, it would cost

 

I follow the instructions as given by TangoMan. I wash with a small amount of normal plain machine detergent and I don't use fabric softeners.

From time to time I include white vinegar in the conditioner tray.

I'm sure Lee will pop up and tell you how and why.

 

On the subject of microfibre cloths,
I got a 36 pack of 16"x 16" microfibre cloths at Costco for around

 

i agree... just replace towels less arseing around

 

I have used three different specially formulated MF detergents and they are just as effective as vinegar, save your money.

If your towels are really dirty then pre soak them overnight to loosen the dirt. Wash the towels at 60c with a detergent that does not have added any conditioners as its this that clogs up the fibers. To get the towels nice and fluffy again tumble dry them on a low heat and then air them.
Every few washes add distilled vinegar to the conditioner tray, about one capful. This will remove the gunk from the fibers thats left by the detergent and usage and will rejuvenate your towels making them softer and more absorbent.

MF towels are a disposable commodity and I use a lot of these and have tried and tested hundreds before deciding on the ones I currently have. One session of detailing the car will see seven towels; one to dry, one to detail, one to clean wheels, one to wipe down interior, one to dry off engine bay, two for waxing. As the towels get old they move on from being used on the paintwork to being used for wheels and the engine bay.

Cheap MF towels are exactly that and I would not go near any clients paintwork with one of them. Try a CD test, take a CD and wipe one of these towels across shiny side if it leaves marks behind then it will do exactly the same to your paintwork. What the edging like on these towels, does it have a label, try rubbing these parts across the CD as these will certainly get rubbed across your paintwork.

Mind you I make a living out of repairing the damage caused by poor washing and drying techniques so please ignore the above

 

Ok, thanks for the tips. We use powder type detergent (Arial), so that's no good, then? I'll get some liquid detergent with no fabric conditioner.

 

Arial is fine as long as it not one of these two in one (with conditioner) gimmicks.

 

I used soap flakes I bought for washing a waterproof jacket, it's gentle enough to clean without removing waterproofing, I'll need to go look to get the name though.