How to use and wash microfiber cloths
To wash microfiber cloths, wash them on their own in warm water with a small amount of detergent, and skip fabric softener, dryer sheets and bleach. Keep cotton towels out of the load, because their lint clogs the fibers. Air dry them, or tumble on low heat. To use them, fold each cloth into quarters so you get eight clean sides, and use them dry for dust and barely damp for wiping.
Microfiber works because its fibers are split very fine, so they grab dust and grime instead of pushing it around. Softener and heat are what ruin that.
How do you use a microfiber cloth?
- Fold it in quarters. That gives you eight faces. Flip to a clean one when the side you're using looks dirty.
- Dry for dust. Shelves, frames, lamps and electronics. No spray needed.
- Barely damp for wiping. Water, or spray cleaner onto the cloth, not the surface.
- Wipe in an S pattern, overlapping, so you don't put dirt back down.
- Buff glass and chrome with a second dry cloth.
Our dusting guide and window guide put it to work.
Why color-code them?
So the toilet cloth never ends up on the kitchen counter. A simple home system:
- One color for the kitchen
- One color for bathrooms, sinks and counters
- One color for toilets only
- One color for dusting and glass
Keep them in separate bins or bags after use, too.
How do you wash microfiber cloths?
- Shake them out over the trash.
- Wash on their own, or with other microfiber. No cotton towels.
- Warm water, a small amount of a plain liquid detergent.
- No fabric softener, no bleach. Softener coats the fibers; bleach breaks them down.
- Wash bathroom cloths separately from kitchen ones, or on a hotter cycle if the label allows.
- Air dry or tumble on low. High heat can melt the fibers.
Why are my cloths leaving lint or streaks?
- Softener or dryer sheets. Rewash in warm water with a little detergent and no softener.
- Washed with cotton. Cotton lint gets trapped. Wash again on their own.
- Too much cleaner. Microfiber needs less product than you think.
- Worn out. Stiff cloths that won't grab dust are done.
How many do you need?
Enough that you can grab a fresh one rather than reusing a dirty one: a dozen or two in a house, split by color. A clean cloth spreads less dirt.
Want a cleaning booked?
Book House Cleaning or Recurring House Cleaning online, and put your priorities in your booking notes.
FAQ
Why do microfiber cloths stop working? Fabric softener, dryer sheets and lint from cotton towels clog the tiny fibers, and high heat can melt them. Wash microfiber on its own, skip softener, and dry it on low or air dry.
Can you use microfiber cloths dry? Yes. Dry microfiber is good for dusting, because the fibers grab and hold dust. Use it barely damp with water or cleaner for wiping counters, glass and fixtures.
How often should you replace microfiber cloths? When they stop grabbing dust, feel stiff or leave lint, even after a clean wash. Well-cared-for cloths last through many washes.
Book a cleaning
Our service area: every Philadelphia neighborhood, plus the Pennsylvania suburbs within about 30 miles of Center City, in Montgomery, Delaware, Bucks and Chester counties. Book online at phillyscleanteam.com/book-now, or call or text (215) 798-7576, 9 AM to 9 PM, every day.
