How to wash microfiber cloth? (Clean & dry microfiber towel)

To wash microfiber cloth and towels, you should use mild detergent, cold water, and a gentle cycle on the washing machine. Avoid using bleach, fabric softener, or dryer sheets, and use a low heat setting or air dry it. If handwashing, you should gently rub the cloth or towel with mild detergent and cold water, rinse thoroughly, and then hang dry.

Before washing, shake out excess dust from the surface of the microfiber cloth or towel, then soak it in a mixture of cool water and a mild detergent so that the stains and dirt can loosen up a bit.

You can also add a small amount of mild shampoo as you soak it to retain its softness.

What is a microfiber cloth?

A microfiber cloth is made of fine synthetic fibers, usually polyester, polyamide, or a mix of polyester, polyamide, and polypropylene. When these fibers are woven together, they make a light, highly absorbent fabric that is used to clean and remove dirt, dust, and grime from surfaces.

Microfiber cloths are known for their high absorbency, streak-free cleaning, and ability to pick up and hold dust, dirt, and grime.

They are often used for dusting and polishing as well as cleaning surfaces such as windows, mirrors, automobile glasses, eyeglasses, and electronic goods.

A square inch of microfiber cloth contains over 200,000 individual threads, making it highly effective at trapping dirt, dust, and other particles.

Unlike paper towels, which need to be thrown away after just one use, microfiber cloths can be washed and reused multiple times, which makes them more environmentally friendly than disposable paper products. 

In most cases, microfiber cloths and towels are machine washable; however, some manufacturers may recommend only hand washing. Therefore, read the care label instructions, usually prescribed in the box itself.

The Importance of washing microfiber cloth or towel properly

It is important to wash microfiber towels properly because microfiber cloth is made up of tiny fibers that are designed to attract and hold dirt, dust, and grime.

If you don’t wash microfiber towels properly, the dirt and grime will remain trapped in the fibers, making them ineffective for cleaning purposes.

Furthermore, an uncleaned cloth or towel will become discolored and start to smell unpleasant over time.

Also, it can become a breeding ground for bacteria and may cause cross-contamination and the spread of germs, leading to health risks.

Therefore, washing microfiber towels and cloths correctly will ensure that they remain effective, hygienic, and safe for use.

Just make sure to use cold water, and mild detergent, and avoid using fabric softeners or bleach when washing.

Also, after washing, make sure to thoroughly rinse the microfiber towel or cloth because it will become less absorbent if the detergent residue is left as it is.

How frequently should microfiber towels and cloth be washed?

Washing your microfiber cloth or towel every three times you use it should be ideal. However, the washing frequency should be adjusted based on how heavily your towel or cloth is soiled.

You shouldn’t wait for the third use if you can visibly see dirt and grime on the towels.

In other words, there is no fixed rule as to how often you should wash your microfiber cloths, as it depends on the level of soiling and the current state of the fabric.

So, you are the best judge to decide when to wash.

What’s the best and most effective way to wash microfiber towels and cloth?

The best and most effective way to wash machine-washable microfiber towels and cloths is to separate them from other fabrics and wash them in a washing machine with mild detergent, cold water, and a gentle cycle.

It is also important to use a low spin speed to avoid matting the fibers.

Also, avoid using bleach or fabric softeners, as they can damage the fibers and decrease the cloth’s cleaning power.

Alternatively, the microfiber cloth or towel may also be washed by hand using cold water and a light detergent. Just don’t forget to rinse the fabric thoroughly in clean water post-wash before hanging it to air-dry naturally.

How to wash microfiber cloths and towels?

Washing a microfiber cloth is a simple process that requires a few basic steps.

The process starts by checking the care label on the package of the microfiber cloth, followed by treating the stubborn stains and performing a final wash.

Here’s how you can treat the stains on a microfiber cloth or towel.

Treating Stains on Microfiber Cloths

For most stains, a damp cleaning cloth with some detergent should do the trick. However, a stronger solution may be necessary if the stains are more stubborn.

Let’s take a quick look at the steps to treat stains on microfiber cloth and towel safely:

Step 1: Identify the type of stain and the affected area on the microfiber cloth or towel.

Step 2: The next step is to remove as much of the stain as you can using a white cloth or paper towel, i.e., you need to blot the stains.

Step 3: Apply a small amount of mild detergent or a specialized stain remover directly to the stain and gently rub it in.

Step 4: Allow the detergent or stain remover to sit on the stain for 5-10 minutes.

Step 5: Rinse the area thoroughly with cold water to remove any remaining detergent or stain remover.

Note: If the stain is not completely removed after the first treatment, repeat the process before drying.

Avoid using bleach, harsh chemicals, or high heat when treating stains, as they can damage the fibers and reduce the cloth’s efficiency.

Types of stain removers that can be used

You can use mild detergent, white vinegar, baking soda, lemon juice, rubbing alcohol, hydrogen peroxide, oxygen-based bleach, or specialized commercial stain removers in order to treat stains.

With that said, always test the solution on a small, inconspicuous area of the microfiber cloth before using it on the stain to ensure it does not cause any damage or discoloration. 

How to wash a microfiber cloth in a washing machine?

Step 1: Sort your laundry

You should wash microfiber cloth separately or with similar fabric types to get the best results.

This is because microfiber towels and cloth can attract lint, hair, dust, etc., pretty easily from other garments during the wash.

Once you have sorted your laundry, shake off excess dust from the microfiber items and pre-treat them if they’re heavily stained.

Step 2: Add a mild detergent

Always use a mild detergent suitable for delicate fabrics in small quantities.

And avoid using fabric softener, as this can coat the tiny fibers of the cloth and reduce their absorbency.

You may add distilled white vinegar to eliminate odors and keep the fabric soft.

Step 3: Put the microfiber fabric in the washer

Now that you have sorted and treated the fabric for stains, it is time to put it in the washer.

Step 4: Use a gentle cycle and cool water

Choose a gentle cycle along with cold water settings for washing microfiber items.

Some washing machines provide a special delicates cycle labeled “hand wash,” “delicates,” or something similar to that.

If your washer does not have a dedicated cycle for delicates, adjust the spin speed to low, so that the microfiber item does not get spun too fast.

Step 5: Air dry

Once the cycle is complete, remove the cloth from the washing machine and shake it out to loosen any dirt or debris that may be clinging to it.

Do not leave the microfiber cloth damp for longer and remove it from the washer right after the cycle completes.

Hang your microfiber cloth on a drying rack or clothesline to dry in the air. Don’t use a tumble dryer, as high heat could damage the microfibers.

How to Hand-Wash a Microfiber Cloth?

To wash your microfiber cloth or towel by hand:

• Soak the fabric in a basin or sink filled with cool water (mixed with mild detergent).
• Use your fingers to gently massage the fabric in a circular motion.
• Rinse the microfiber cloth with clean water to remove any remaining soap residue.
• Finally, wring the cloth gently to get rid of as much water as possible.
• Allow the cloth to air dry completely by either hanging it on a clothesline or laying it flat.

Note: Do not wring the fabric too hard to avoid the fabric stretching and becoming distorted.

How Do You Dry Microfiber Towels?

Drying microfiber towels is an important step in keeping them clean, fresh, and in shape.

To dry microfiber towels, you can either use a machine dryer or air-dry them naturally by either hanging them on a clothesline or simply laying them flat.

When using a machine dryer, make sure to set the temperature to the lowest setting and avoid using any dryer sheets, as they can reduce the absorbency of the fabric.

If you choose to air-dry your microfiber towels, make sure they are hung in a well-ventilated area away from direct sunlight.

Also, when drying microfiber towels, you should keep them away from other fabrics so that they don’t attract lint from other fabrics.

Note: Air-drying is the best way to preserve the absorbency and integrity of your microfiber towels and cloths.

Why shouldn’t you dry your microfiber cloth in the dryer?

You shouldn’t put your microfiber cloth in the dryer because the high heat can cause the fibers to shrink, become matted, and lose their absorbency.

The high heat can also cause the fibers to melt, making the cloth less effective at cleaning and absorbing liquids.

Also, the dryer sheets used in the dryer can leave a residue on the microfiber cloths that will reduce their effectiveness.

To properly dry your microfiber cloths, hang them up or lay them flat to air-dry. This will ensure that the fibers remain intact and that they are able to absorb liquids effectively.

Additional tips for maintaining microfiber towels

• Always sort the microfiber cloth i.e., wash them separately to avoid any lint transfer from other fabrics.
• Use a mild detergent and cold water to wash the microfiber cloth or towel.
• Avoid using bleach, fabric softener, or harsh detergents during washing them, and avoid using dryer sheets when drying.
• Set the washing machine to a gentle cycle and use a low spin speed.
• Tumble dry the microfiber cloth or towel on a low heat setting or air dry it.
• If there are any stains or dirt on the cloth, treat them before washing the cloth.
• Store microfiber cloths in a clean, dry place to prevent bacteria growth and maintain their effectiveness.
• Use a detergent that doesn’t include any added fragrances or colors.
• Use distilled white vinegar instead of fabric softeners to get rid of the smell and soften the fabric.
• Read the care label on the package or on the cloth itself for proper cleaning and drying.

Final Thoughts

Cleaning a microfiber cloth is a fairly straightforward process and does not need any special prep work apart from sorting it.

Sorting is an essential step, as washing a microfiber cloth along with other fabrics may transfer lint to and fro.

Also, since it’s made up of fibers that attract dirt and stains easily, it’s important that you clean them in a timely manner to maintain efficiency.

If your microfiber cloth has lost its efficiency, it’s best to get a new one, as it’s hard to restore a damaged microfiber cloth.

Lastly, always wash microfiber cloth using cool water, however, if the cloth is heavily soiled then you may opt for slightly warm water.

Frequently Asked Questions on Microfiber cloth and towels