use to be a fan of H2O GG

[wely324]

This morning I decided to wash a family member's car, a white Cayenne, and after applying the product to one panel and having difficulty just getting the towel that is used to apply the H20GG wet, I decided to give up on the product and quickly resorted to detail spray to dry the car. Yes, I could not get the towel wet by dunking it in a bucket of water.

 

The towels I use with H2OGG have become so hydrophobic they are basically useless now, even for H20GG use.

 

I don't use the product often, I'm only halfway through my 2nd 16oz bottle and my experience in the past has been great, but I can't keep using a product that is going to ruin towels. And I have been hand washing the towels with microfiber revitalizer and brightener each time. 

[sahls01gmc]

I was always curious of this happening. But something tells me that the chemicals used to wash them would revert them back to the normal state. All of my towels still work just fine.

 

Interested to hear what others have to say.

[wely324]

It's possible I'm not washing them right... The last few times using H2OGG I have washed by hand to not mix the towels with my other towels being washed. I would make sure they were cleaned to the point where the water dripping out of them was completely clear and no murkiness. Then they would hang dry. The towels have become rough in nature as well compared to my others, kinda like the fibers are dreading together. 

Edited October 12, 2016 by wely324

[Beemer]

I think I would try machine washing the towels before giving up on H2OGG.

 

I'm on my second bottle and have not had any problem - other than white towels that look grey.  They work fine.

[Rich]

Nope. I've had the same experience.  Washing doesn't help.  I've tried even washing them twice with Microfiber Revitalizer and it didn't help.  My towels are shot as well.  Short of boiling them, I don't know what would work. And my wife just told me she's not giving me one of her pots to boil towels in.  But new towels all the time can get to be expensive. Don't know if white vinegar would work or not. 

Keeping an eye on this thread. 

[JDrach]

I've gone through a bottle, using the same double soft towel to buff it dry after going over with the waterless wash towel to apply and absorb water and the h20 GG. I spray h20 GG on the car then use the WW towel to spread and dry, then do a quick once over with the Double Soft. Works fine for me....If i don't use H20 GG, I use the same towel method with Detail spray and still have good luck applying and drying. 

[gabhart]

I have been thru 2 16 oz bottles using the same application towels. They were white and have turned gray but are just as soft and useful as new. I machine wash them using a competitors microfiber wash and mix in a cap full or 2 of revitalizer.

[Ls1transam]

I would try machine washing on warm or a hot setting depending on how "hot" your warm setting is on your washing machine.

[SSilver07]

same here! my double soft towels I use for the h2o just repel the water now.

[BrianT]

I hand wash my towels with Dawn dish soap followed by the machine wash. I do that for all of my towels.

[TheWolf]

I have not had this issue with the towels that I use for HGG, but I always hand wash them immediately after finishing the application, while they are still wet, so the acrylic sealant does not cure on the towel fibers (both the wet application towel and the dry buffing towel).

 

I will also note that I hand wash very thoroughly, spraying them with MFR&B, really working it into the towel, then rinsing very well. This is especially important with the wet application towel, since it contains the most product.

 

For your towels that are having issues, try soaking them for a few days in a strong solution of MFR&B, then hand rinse and wring them out, then machine wash with more MFR&B.

[avimore]

I have not had this issue with the towels that I use for HGG, but I always hand wash them immediately after finishing the application, while they are still wet, so the acrylic sealant does not cure on the towel fibers (both the wet application towel and the dry buffing towel).

 

I will also note that I hand wash very thoroughly, spraying them with MFR&B, really working it into the towel, then rinsing very well. This is especially important with the wet application towel, since it contains the most product.

 

For your towels that are having issues, try soaking them for a few days in a strong solution of MFR&B, then hand rinse and wring them out, then machine wash with more MFR&B.

Do you pre-soak your H2O towels with MFR&B for an extended period of time prior to hand washing them?

[wely324]

From the the 2 differeing responses, sounds like it could be an issue with how they are washed, except some of us have tried all different types of washing and still no luck... i did a pre soak wash by hand and then let them sit and presoak overnight and will be washing them today. Until i figure this out I'm not gonna risk wasting any more towels.

[TheWolf]

Do you pre-soak your H2O towels with MFR&B for an extended period of time prior to hand washing them?

I do not pre-soak them as long as I wash them right when I finish the application. I would only pre-soak them if the towels sat for awhile or dried with the HGG on them.

[wely324]

You shouldn't need a special procedure to wash microfiber towels just because you used it with H2O G&G. This is not like using the towels to wipe off a ceramic coating. 

 

If throwing them in the washing machine with MFR&B or a detergent with no scents and dyes does not work (and it should definitely work), then H2O G&G needs an overhaul. 

 

exactly, this alone, asking how others wash their towels like it is some scientific procedure to keep H2O GG towels like new is absurd. I love the finish and gloss of the product, but with products on the market that are similar that require no towels has me wondering why waste the money on the towels. 

[pirahnah3]

I had an issue a while back where my towels were not as soft (and I plan to update that shortly) 

 

to summerize I had washed some towels that had soaked in MFR and some had been used with H2O, and after several consecurive runs thru the machine they were not soft at all. Summary was I thought they were all "contaminated" with H2O. 

 

I took a bunch of the towels, some that were used with H2O and others that were in the bucket but were not directly used with it. 

 

I took a 5gal bucket, and put my towels in it with a grit gaurd on the top as a light weight to keep the towels down. Filled the bucket with water and about 4-6oz of APC. I let that soak for about 36 hours. Then washed as normal. Pulled from the washing machine, snapped each towel and hung to dry. 

 

result = soft towels. 

 

Is it a solution here.....I dont know just sharing my two copper coins. 

[Gforce52]

The towels that I use for H2O GG I always soak in a bucket with APC. It seems to have worked so far.

[nunzimouse]

I use white vinegar and APC together and presoak, seems to be working 

[BRZN]

By the nature of the HGG being water activated, they're tough to clean. Don't give up on the product or towels yet guys.

 

I have dedicated Borderless Grey Towels for HGG and they are not washed in the family washing machine for fear of coating the inside of the drum with the product and ruining other things then washed in the machine. They're also not washed with other microfiber towels.

 

I use the towels by first running then under warm water at the sink to saturate them, and will then place them in the bucket of warm, clear water and work them until I know they're completely saturated.

 

When finished applying the product, I rinse them at the garage sink under warm running water, then place them in a bucket of warm, clear water and wring out as much product as I can. Dump the bucket, refill with warm water (two gallons), and this time add 1 ounce of MRB. I work/agitate the towels, then let them sit in the bucket for an hour or so. After they soak I wring them out, refill the bucket with two gallons of warm water, and another ounce of MRB. Now I'm agitating to wash them, wring out the product and water, rinse thoroughly, wring dry, then hang to dry.

 

Vinegar will not help, Vinegar's an acid and would be used to remove minerals, a strong detergent is needed to remove the HGG, like Adam's MRB.

I'm still using the same Borderless Grey towels since the product was released, and I'm deep into my second gallon of the stuff!

[BRZN]

I use white vinegar and APC together and presoak, seems to be working 

That can't be working.

Vinegar has a ph of around 3, being acidic, and APC would have a ph of above the neutral ph of 7 into the alkaline side of the scale. By mixing the two you end of canceling each out.

Be very careful of mixing chemicals...

[astro-jason]

I dont soak my towels and I dont wash them right away, I wash my towels once every two weeks. I use the powder type PERSIL detergent cold water and hang dry. Just as soft as the day i bought them, they are grey in color from the H20, but no issues.

 

-Jason 

[Odds and Ends]

I've noticed this effect that the OP is talking about, but haven't really given much thought.  I have dedicated towels to HGG and recommend that to anyone who purchases the HGG from me.    As for cleaning them, I agree with some of the previous posts that it's better to begin whatever cleaning process you choose to employ when the towels are still wet from application.  A simple pre-soak with dish washing detergent and then regular washing should be sufficient.  Remember that heat and other "harsh" chemicals are destructive to the actual microfiber and will make the towels worse instead of better.

[wely324]

I have been only using the microfiber revitalizer as a pre soak and to wash the towels. I think I will try a pre soak with APC instead to see if that helps the situation. 

[Antv20]

Surprised that I haven't seen the same thing. I use HG&G quite a bit. I haven't had to toss any towels yet but I don't usually let them dry either before washing.

 

On a side note. I did notice my ALL my towels becoming matted and losing there softness. I have noticed my HE washer sometimes does not rinse out all the soap. I have started doing an extra rinse followed by a pre soak with no soap to see if the water starts to suds up. I ended re-washing all my towels. It was amazing how much soap was in them. Some took several pre-soak cycles in the washing machine to come soap free. I coupled this with brushing them with a dog brush first before washing. Then dried in dryer with no fabric softener. Now they are all soft like new.

[tjk]

Wonder if you could pre soak with Strip wash