Last Updated on 10 months by Ollie Barker
Car wax rags are a need that you should not be without. They’re fantastic for washing windows, polished surfaces, and other car elements. Unfortunately, polishes, ceramic coatings, sealants, waxes, detailers, grease, and grime come into contact with them. As a result, rag maintenance is a major worry. So, how to wash car wax out of rags?
Is It Possible To Wash Car Polishing Rags And Cloths?
Cars can be cleaned with rags and cloth. However, a stronger detergent is required due to the types of contaminants they are exposed to – sealant, wax, polymers, and oils. Sealants and waxes, for example, are resistant to water, chemicals, and heat.
Similarly, hardened ceramic coatings can withstand years of cleaning with soap and water. As a result, ceramic debris settles into the rag, making it stiff and greasy. To eliminate sealant from polishing rags and cloths, a decent mixture of all-purpose cleanser and strip wash may be required.
While conventional laundry soap can remove ingrained grime, polymer sealants and carnauba waxes might be hard to remove in this manner. Therefore, having the appropriate product and using the best cleaning process is crucial whether you clean your vehicle wax cloths by hand or machine.
The ideal approach for cleaning automobile polishing rags and cloths is a mixture of warm/hot water and a strong microfibre detergent. Avoid using weaker detergents, which leave tiny amounts of detailing behind over time, causing a build-up of deposit and impairing the cloth’s function.
How to Wash Car Wax out Of Rags?
Because these pieces of cloth are made of delicate materials like cotton and microfibre, they must be cleaned with care. However, car wax rags can survive for more than 100 washes if they are properly cared for.
Wax rags can be washed by hand or in the washing machine.
How to wash car wax out of rags by hand?
Items needed:
- A plastic bucket (the one you’d use to wash your car)
- A wooden stick
- Boiling water
- Dish soap
Instructions:
Fill a plastic bucket halfway with soiled towels and halfway with boiling water and dish soap. Then, using a wooden stick, stir them around. Make sure there’s enough hot water to cover the towels and give them room to agitate thoroughly.
Feel free to bring them out once the hot water has cooled a little. Then, most importantly, hang them to dry on a clothesline.
Why do some people choose to hand-wash wax rags?
There are two major reasons why you should not use a washing machine or dryer:
- You don’t want any leftover wax to slip into your washer or dryer, where it can stain your nice clothes.
- Wax has the potential to catch fire. With that in mind, keep it away from a heat source, such as a dryer.
How to wash car wax out of rags by washing machine?
You can also hand-wash the rags with a bit of detergent in the machine. Treat badly stained spots after shaking away any loose dirt or dust. Next, soak the cloths in warm water with a small amount of mild detergent. Run the wash cycle after adjusting the washing machine to cold and delicate.
Before throwing the towels in the laundry, I suggest rinsing or pre-soaking them. A soak will remove a lot of the build-up that might otherwise contaminate your wash, making a big difference the next time you use the microfiber towels.
Tips to wash car wax out of rags in a washing machine
- Similar towels should be washed together. You should wash your wax cloth separately from the car wash towels.
- Do not rinse with softener as this may clog the gap between the cleaning fibers in the microfiber towel, rendering it ineffective.
- If you’re using microfiber, let it air dry. They dry pretty quickly without sticking them in the dryer.
- Microfiber towels should be washed separately from others as they collect everything, including lint, like a magnet, and getting it off is a pain.
- Some folks like to use a second rinse cycle.
Maintenance tip for microfiber towels and rags:
No matter what method you use, one of the most significant actions you can take toward a longer-lasting finish is to wash your accessories after each use.
FAQs
# How Do You Clean Detailing Rags?
Washing a waxed cloth or other fleece product with soap and water is the best way to clean it. Alternatively, you can soak the item in warm water with 1 cup of vinegar overnight to remove oil, body oils, and dirt. Then, hand wash in cool water with light soap to keep the appearance. Fabric softeners should not be used on fleece products because they are not advised.
# Can You Put Wax Rags in Washing Machine?
Yes, you certainly can. However, to keep the rags in good condition for a long time, ensure you understand the steps above: identifying the rags, selecting the suitable washing mode, and applying the appropriate detergent.
Conclusion
It should be easy for you to keep car wax rags clean and well-maintained now that you know how to wash them. However, remember that using dirty mitts or towels to clean your car might result in swirl marks, water spots, scratches, and, worse, a dirtier automobile.
Hand-washing polish rags with mild soap and water is the best method. Microfiber towels should be pre-soaked and cleaned in warm water for hand washing or at the lowest temperature for machine washing.

Hi, My name is Ollie Barker.
With 25 years working in repair and detailing shops. I’d love to share my tips & tricks to all car lovers. Also, give my recommendations on which products are the best to have on the market.
Thanks for visiting CarDetailingArt! Hope you enjoy your time on my little blog!