Microfiber towels and wash mitts used in detailing accumulate more contamination per wash cycle than ordinary fabric — abrasive compound residue, polish oils, silicone product buildup, wax, and heavy soiling that standard household laundry detergent cannot fully remove. Washing microfiber with a detergent that leaves softener residue or fragrance chemistry compromises the towel’s ability to absorb and trap — which defeats the purpose of using microfiber in the first place. Professional detailing microfiber deserves a detergent designed for the specific contamination it carries.
What Liquid Laundry Is
Liquid Laundry from Polishing Systems Inc is a professional-grade liquid laundry detergent formulated for washing detailing microfiber towels, wash mitts, applicators, and polishing pads. It is free of fabric softeners and fragrance additives that leave residue in microfiber loops and reduce absorbency. The formula effectively lifts compound residue, polish oils, wax, and silicone-based product buildup — the contamination categories that professional detailing towels carry — without damaging fiber structure or leaving residue.
Key Features and Why They Matter
- Softener-free formulation — fabric softeners coat microfiber loops with waxy residue that reduces absorbency and leaves streaks when the towel is used. Liquid Laundry cleans without introducing softener chemistry into the fiber.
- Effective on compound and polish residue — targets the specific contamination that detailing towels carry: oil-based polishing residue, wax, silicone, and abrasive compound particles that cling to microfiber loops.
- Safe on microfiber structure — does not degrade fiber integrity over repeated wash cycles the way aggressive alkaline detergents can.
- Liquid formulation — dissolves fully in cold or warm water without leaving undissolved powder particles in microfiber loops, which can scratch painted surfaces on the next use.
What Liquid Laundry Is NOT For
Not formulated for washing polishing foam pads (those require a foam pad cleaner or gentle hand wash). Not intended for personal clothing or general fabric laundry where fragrance and softener are expected. Do not use in combination with fabric softener — it defeats the purpose. Do not wash microfiber with other fabric types in the same load — lint from cotton and other fabrics embeds in microfiber loops and renders them ineffective.
Who Uses Liquid Laundry
Detail shops washing microfiber in commercial laundry equipment after each day’s use. Mobile detailers maintaining a clean microfiber inventory for consistent service quality. Fleet operators managing towel hygiene in multi-person maintenance operations. Enthusiasts who maintain their own microfiber inventory and understand that how you wash towels directly affects how they perform and how long they last.
How to Use
- Sort microfiber: Wash microfiber separately from cotton towels, shop rags, and other fabric types to prevent lint transfer.
- Pre-rinse heavily soiled towels: For towels with heavy compound or polish residue, a cold-water pre-rinse before the main wash cycle helps remove the bulk of the contamination.
- Add Liquid Laundry: Use the recommended amount per load — typically 1–2 oz per standard wash load of microfiber towels. Do not overuse — excess detergent is difficult to rinse from microfiber loops.
- Wash on warm: Warm water (not hot) is effective for microfiber without damaging fiber structure. Hot water over 140°F can degrade microfiber binding.
- Rinse thoroughly: A double rinse cycle helps ensure no detergent residue remains in the fiber.
- Dry on low heat or air dry: High heat degrades microfiber. Low heat or air drying preserves the fiber structure longest.
Why the 1-Gallon Size
The 1-gallon jug is the right volume for shops washing microfiber 3–5 times per week. It stores easily, pours cleanly, and provides enough product for a month or more of regular microfiber laundry for most detail operations. For shops with the highest microfiber volume — large detail operations, dealership reconditioning centers, fleet maintenance bays — the 5-gallon pail brings per-load cost down further. For individual detailers, see the 32oz quart.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I wash microfiber with regular laundry detergent?
You can, but most consumer detergents contain fabric softeners and fragrance additives that leave residue in microfiber loops over time. This residue reduces absorbency and can cause the towel to streak when used on paint or glass. A purpose-formulated detergent like Liquid Laundry avoids introducing those residues.
How much Liquid Laundry do I use per load?
Approximately 1–2 oz per standard wash load of microfiber towels. Microfiber holds detergent effectively, so less is more — over-sudsing makes thorough rinsing difficult and can leave residue. Adjust based on your machine capacity and towel load size.
Can I wash polishing foam pads with Liquid Laundry?
Foam polishing pads are better hand-washed or machine-washed in a mesh bag with a gentle pad-specific cleaner. Liquid Laundry is appropriate for microfiber towels and mitts. Machine agitation can compress or damage foam pad structure, especially in top-load machines with agitators.
Should I use warm or cold water for washing microfiber?
Warm water (100–120°F) is effective for microfiber and helps activate the detergent. Avoid hot water above 140°F — high heat degrades the polyester fiber that microfiber is made from and can cause premature shedding of the pile. Cold water works but may leave some oil-based residue incompletely removed.
What sizes is Liquid Laundry available in?
Liquid Laundry is available in a 32oz quart, 1-gallon, and 5-gallon pail for shops that wash large volumes of microfiber daily.
