Towels - Microfiber vs. Cotton for drying station.

[Car_Wash_Guy]

I have a complimentary towel station with rags for wheels and towels for drying the body. I bought some fairly expensive $1/ea cotton towels from a well known online vendor and have been pretty disappointed with them. Their drying ability was poor initially and have only degraded.

I've been thinking about switching to a microfiber. Cost will be about the same...$1/ea. Just wondering how durable they are to repeated washing and dirt retention.

Thanks.

 

[MEP001]

The big problem you'll find with microfiber is that people will get dressings on them, and it doesn't wash out easily.

Have you washed the cotton towels in hot water with an ammonia based cleaner? That will help remove the slip on the thread which is what inhibits absorption.

 

[Car_Wash_Guy]

The big problem you'll find with microfiber is that people will get dressings on them, and it doesn't wash out easily.

Have you washed the cotton towels in hot water with an ammonia based cleaner? That will help remove the slip on the thread which is what inhibits absorption.

Thanks

I washed the towels originally as per their "break in " or whatever they called it with ammonia. Wasn't sure If I should always wash that way. Maybe I'll try that before I go and spend $500 on new towels.

 

[MEP001]

I use a lot of towels cleaning around the wash, and I pick up the ones that customers have bought and thrown away. Sometimes they have tire dressing in them so I always have to wash them with ammonia and Tide every time I do a load. You might also have to if your customers are getting dressing on them.

 

[JMMUSTANG]

I buy microfiber towels and red shop towels from Sam’s.
Cart with yellow microfiber towels has a sign that says in yellow print YELLOW MICROFIBER TOWELS ARE FOR EXTERIOR BODY AND INTERIOR CLEANING ONLY.
Next to the microfiber cart is a garbage can that has a sign that says DEPOSIT DIRTY YELLOW MICROFIBER TOWELS HERE.
Cart with red shop towels has signage that says in red print RED SHOP TOWELS ARE FOR WHEEL CLEANING ONLY.
Next to that is a garbage can that says DEPOSIT DIRTY RED SHOP TOWELS HERE.

 

[TEEBOX]

I buy microfiber towels and red shop towels from Sam’s.
Cart with yellow microfiber towels has a sign that says in yellow print YELLOW MICROFIBER TOWELS ARE FOR EXTERIOR BODY AND INTERIOR CLEANING ONLY.
Next to the microfiber cart is a garbage can that has a sign that says DEPOSIT DIRTY YELLOW MICROFIBER TOWELS HERE.
Cart with red shop towels has signage that says in red print RED SHOP TOWELS ARE FOR WHEEL CLEANING ONLY.
Next to that is a garbage can that says DEPOSIT DIRTY RED SHOP TOWELS HERE.

yep and i have signs that say put car in nuetral and foot off the brake and that doesn't help.

People don't read.

Another one is that I have menue boards in 3 different locations for pricing. I love when they ask me so " how much is your wash"

I would stay away from microfiber. To delicate for self service customers. Stay with cotton for durability.

 

[JMMUSTANG]

LOL TEEBOX so true about signage.

 

[Earl Weiss]

yep and i have signs that say....................

People don't read.

.

Well. you need a sign that says "Read the signs."

 

[soapy]

After 25 years of offering a free towel station I have found the better grade of towel i put out the more theft of them i see. I get the ones from Sam's that cost around $20 per 60. I wash and dye them in hot water and 2 towels will dry any large vehicle.