What do you do with foam wax pads after you've waxed?

[ChicagoRay]

wash them or get rid of them???



I used them to apply some wax once

 

[imported_Intel486]

I use them, then soak them overnight in a bucket which is full of Dawn and when I fill it up I use hot water. Then I just run under clean water, squeeze out, and repeat a whole bunch of times. Then air dry.

 

[ChicagoRay]

I use them, then soak them overnight in a bucket which is full of Dawn and when I fill it up I use hot water. Then I just run under clean water, squeeze out, and repeat a whole bunch of times. Then air dry.

thanks - about how many times would you do this before replacing?

 

[imported_capspackle]

I love mixing chemicals.. So, what i do is i mix some hot water in a bucket with some Era or Tide or Wisk (whatever mom has at the moment) with Dawn, and Lysol. I dont measure it or anything, just put it as much as i feel is right. Then let the pads soak overnight.



I keep reusing them until i notice they are gradually beginning to fray.

 

[imported_Intel486]

thanks - about how many times would you do this before replacing?

When the pads get dirt in them which I cannot wash out or when they become stifff because there is too much wax dried inside.

 

[imported_doug]

I throw them in the washing machine with my other towels and wipes. don't put them in the dryer. OK to re-use - for safety's sake I mark on mine with a laundy pen what I used. I never re-use a pad marked for "product x" with anything less aggresive than that product.

 

[jrush]

I throw them in the washing machine with my other towels and wipes. don't put them in the dryer. OK to re-use - for safety's sake I mark on mine with a laundy pen what I used. I never re-use a pad marked for "product x" with anything less aggresive than that product.

This is what I do as well. I use a little dawn and some liquid laundry soap and wash away. I wash on hot water cycle and run the rinse twice. I air dry and everything is fine. I save lots of money here and there by washing these.

 

[imported_awd330]

I throw them in the washing machine with my other towels and wipes. don't put them in the dryer. OK to re-use - for safety's sake I mark on mine with a laundy pen what I used. I never re-use a pad marked for "product x" with anything less aggresive than that product.

I give my foam applicators a quick hand wash using Dawn. Then, I throw them into the washer along with my cotton terry towels and chenille wash mitts. The hand wash removes the majority of the chemicals and reduces the chance of cross-contamination during machine washing. After washing, the pads and mitts air dry while the towels go into the dryer (low heat).



I use slightly different styles of foam applicators so that I can easily tell which one was used for which product. I never use the same applicator for different products.



Carguy -

I haven't tried the laundry marker trick. Does the ink truly stay on after machine washing? Ever had a problem with the ink bleeding through the pad?

 

[imported_Indy YZF]

I wash on hot water cycle and run the rinse twice. I air dry and everything is fine. I save lots of money here and there by washing these.

For you guys with the machine washing of the foam pads, does the machine ever do damage to either the foam, or, to the velcro backing? Im afraid the backing will either get ragged, or the water will soak the backing which will then disintegrate, and lose its ability to hold the pad well on the buffer.



Im quoting this from the Meguiars website on cleaning of pads:



"And please note...never wash our foam buffing pads, when you are ready to use the pad again, simply tap the pad with your hand to dislodge any residual product. Or, the pad can be cleaned at the end of the job while the pad is still wet. Clean the pad with a towel. "

 

[imported_awd330]

For you guys with the machine washing of the foam pads, does the machine ever do damage to either the foam, or, to the velcro backing? Im afraid the backing will either get ragged, or the water will soak the backing which will then disintegrate, and lose its ability to hold the pad well on the buffer.

paul e -

The wash process I described was for the small handheld foam applicators, not machine buffer pads. Sorry for any confusion.