Microfiber towels have become a standard tool for high quality detailers. The ultra-soft fiber’s ability to safely lift and collect particles makes it ideal for so many parts of the detailing process. These towels can be a major investment for detailers who want to ensure they are using the proper products with good technique. A full detail can easily use 10 – 50+ microfiber towels. Since you will be using so many towels we have come up with some suggestions to help users maximize their microfiber towels performance and longevity.

One of the major benefits of microfiber towels is their ability to safely clean surfaces that can be easily scratched, such as the clear coat, coated wood, DVD and navigation screens, gauges, etc. A brand new quality microfiber towel will not add scratches to these surfaces, so it’s very important to keep your microfiber towels clean, for as long as you can. Never use these towels on an area that may trap large particles that could potentially be abrasive. Try not to drop your towel, put it down on a contaminated surface, or place it where it can fall or be blown on to the ground. Clean your towels immediately after each use and store them in a protected container, like large zip lock bags or a Rubbermaid bin. For more information about microfiber care visit “Microfiber Towels and Properly Caring for Microfiber“.

It is common to see the middle of a microfiber towel worn out while the edges look almost new. The problem with this is that the outside edges are still of high quality and safe while the middle may be contaminated and possibly dangerous to use on delicate surfaces like the clear coat. To maximize the functionality of the microfiber towel (16” x 16”) we recommend folding it in fourths while exerting pressure evenly across the towel. Folding the towel in fourths gives you eight different fresh surfaces to use and helps evenly distribute the wear and tear.

One of the primary functions of microfiber towels is hand removing excess polish, wax, etc. from the clear coat. After you have applied a wax over a small area fold your microfiber towel in fourths and remove approximately 80% of the excess product. Then flip the towel to expose a fresh side and remove the remaining 20%. This method gives you a fresh side of the microfiber towel to remove the remaining excess product, which better ensures you leave no residue behind. When you start to remove excess product from the next small section do not flip the towel, instead remove approximately 80% of the excess product. Then flip the towel and remove the remaining 20% and repeat the process.

Eventually all towels become too contaminated or worn out to be safely used on delicate surfaces. If you are unsure if a microfiber towel is still safe to use test it on the back of a CD. We recommend you categorize your microfiber towels into three different levels. The first level is for towels in pristine condition that will only be used on delicate surfaces. In time these towels will be downgraded to the second level, where they are used primarily for interior cleanings, glass care, leather care, metal polishing, etc. The second level is reserved for towels still in good to excellent condition but with slight wear. Eventually these towels will be downgraded to the third level where they will help clean the door jamb, engine bay and other contaminated areas. Heavily contaminated towels or towels with large abrasive particles may need to be discarded. We recommend storing and cleaning the different level towels separately, to help keep them in the proper level. Inspect each towel after each cleaning to ensure it’s in the proper level.

If you follow these tips you should be able to get more efficiency and functionality from each microfiber towel you have. This means more value from your purchases and better results at the same time.

No one likes to see their leather fade, crack or stretch, yet this is an extremely common problem. As most people are aware, good leather care involves a regular routine of cleaning and conditioning. Cleaning your leather helps remove contaminates that become embedded in the leather and clog the leather’s pores. Conditioning helps replace proteins and other natural properties that can fade over time due to normal usage, UV rays, etc. These basic steps are essential elements to good leather care but there are other ways to care for your leather that are just as important.

The driver’s side bolster, or the part of the driver’s seat closest to where the driver enters and exits the vehicle, often shows the most wear and tear. This area is prone to stretching and cracking due in large part to the method by which the driver enters and exits the vehicle. Often times while entering the vehicle you will sit down on the edge closest to the door and slide into the middle of the seat. While this method is natural to most people, there are two basic problems with this technique. Most seats are slightly concave with the lowest point being in the middle of seat. Therefore when you sit on the edge you force the leather to flatten, which stretches and flexes the leather, especially on the outer edge. If you repeatedly stretch and flex the leather you may prematurely start to add permanent creases, cracks and stretch marks to the leather. The second problem is when you slide and twist your body to move from the outer edge to the middle of the seat. Your body’s downward force will generate plenty of friction to start to slowly wear away the top layer of your leather. This can lead to your leather looking worn and faded and this damage is generally permanent. These same exact problems happen in reverse when you’re exiting the vehicle. Most people twist and slide their body towards the outer edge of the seat and then exit the vehicle. To help prevent these kinds of problems try and reduce how much you slide and twist in your seat. Instead lift straight up and down when entering and exiting the vehicle. This simple step can be a tremendous help towards preserving your leather.

One step that should be apart of everybody’s routine is protecting your leather. Ultra Violet rays from the sun can dry out and fade your leather. Heat helps opens the pores of your leather, which allows proteins and other nourishing elements to evaporate more readily. Without these properties leather becomes less flexible which can lead to fading, cracking and stretch marks. After you have cleaned and conditioned your leather you can protect your leather with a product like the 303 Aerospace Protectant. Lightly mist the protectant on a microfiber towel outside of your vehicle, to avoid overspray, and wipe down the seats. Make sure you regularly protect areas that have prolonged exposure to the sun. A good protectant will also make it easier to remove contaminates and oils during future cleanings.

Here are some other areas of concern that you should be aware of to help care for your leather. Be careful that your seatbelt does not regularly rub against the leather. Always use safety first, but adjust the belt accordingly if it’s potentially damaging the leather. Be careful of what you and others wear in your vehicle. Some articles of clothing and jewelry can be sharp or blunt like buttons, rivets, and zippers that can potentially scratch or otherwise harm your leather. Human oils, lotions, make-up and contaminates that are commonly found on the human skin can prematurely dry leather. Avoid touching your leather excessively and wipe down any areas that regularly come in contact with human skin.

Try and observe any other habits you may have that may be harmful to your leather, and see what you can do to minimize them. Follow the tips listed above and regularly clean and condition your leather and you’ll have leather that always looks great.