Microfiber cloths are excellent household cleaning tools. They’re soft, absorbent, and perfect for cleaning everything from your floors to your car. They are like “dirt magnets.” Their textiles contain millions of fibers that absorb dirt, dust, and grime more than regular cleaning cloths. Even without any additional cleaning solution – all you need is water, and you are good to go!
But they can also be a little tricky to clean properly. They require more care than just throwing them into your washer. And, If you don’t know how to wash them correctly, you would be smearing dirt and debris around your home and surfaces.
In this article, we’ll show you how to clean microfiber clothes like a pro so that they stay soft, absorbent, and bacteria-free.
Why are microfiber cloths suitable for cleaning?
Microfibers have large surface areas, allowing them to grab onto and remove dirt, dust, and tiny particles from surfaces. And, this is why they are a popular choice for cleaning clothes.
In addition, microfiber cloths are great for cleaning because they are:
- Absorbent: They soak up liquids and dirt like a sponge.
- Soft: They are non-abrasive and won’t scratch surfaces or furniture.
- Lint-free: They leave no lint behind, so they’re great at cleaning reflective surfaces such as windows and mirrors.
- Strong: They can withstand a lot of wear and tear.
How often to wash microfiber cloths
To achieve the best results, it is better to wash your microfiber cleaning cloths after each usage. If you don’t clean your microfiber cleaning cloths often, they will start to smell bad because their fibers trap moisture that can harbor bacteria. Also, the dirt on them can scratch and damage your house surfaces. So, it is better not to clean with a soiled microfiber cloth.
How to clean microfiber cloth by hand
Cleaning your microfiber clothes is very important to maintain their lifespan and performance. And, it is simple: just follow these easy steps to clean them like a pro!
Items Required
- Washing basin or bowl
- Laundry soap or detergent (unscented)
– Firstly, check the care label on your microfiber clothes to determine the best way to clean them. You can either wash your microfiber cloth via hand washing or machine washing.
– Shake out the clothes to get rid of the dust or dirt before washing them.
– Soak the clothes in a small amount of mild detergent or soap and cold water for a few minutes. Do not use detergents with fragrances or softeners. They can form coatings on the clothes and reduce their absorbency. Also, it would be best if you only used zero to little detergent. Not everyone makes use of detergent, some use water only.
– Gently rub the fabric together to remove any dirt or stains.
– Rinse the clothes in cold water until all the soap suds are gone.
How to wash microfiber cloths in a washing machine
Items Required
- Washing Machine
- Stain remover (optional)
- Vinegar (optional)
- Laundry soap or detergent (unscented)
– Firstly, separate your microfiber cloths from the other laundry. The dirt or debris on them could be transferred to the other clothes if placed or washed together. Also, the microfibers might attract hair, dust, or dirt from the other laundry, reducing its absorbency and making it less effective.
– Get rid of stains: If you want to remove the stains on the microfibers, you can pretreat them with a stain remover. Or, you can soak them with a bit of laundry detergent and water before the wash cycle.
– Wash in either warm or cold water in the machine: You may want to use hot water to kill the germs and microorganisms and sanitize the clothes. However, it would help if you looked up the brand to decide what is best. Hot water may damage the fibers of low-quality microfiber fibers. However, high-quality ones can withstand hot water much better.
– Add a little detergent: You should only add a few teaspoons of detergent to the washer. Adding too much detergent will cake up the fibers as it might not rinse out thoroughly.
– Add a little vinegar: If your microfiber cloth stinks, you can add some drops of white vinegar to the washing solution. This will help to eliminate any odor.
– Rinse properly: Ensure that you rinse out the soap lather under running water. Then, squeeze out the excess water before drying.
Pro tip: Don’t forget to clean your washing machine like a pro!
How to dry microfiber cloths
When drying, ensure that you keep your microfiber cloths from your other clothing materials so that they do not attract hair strands or lint from them.
Also, it is advised that you line dry your microfibers instead of machine-drying, although this is not compulsory. It is to prevent them from attracting dirt or stains in the dryer.
And if you want to machine dry your microfiber cloths, ensure that you use a low or no heat setting.
Can you reuse microfiber cloths?
People often assume that when you wash and reuse a cleaning cloth, it might not be as clean as it should be and might still hold some germs. However, your microfiber cloths can be reused once they are washed. If you clean and sanitize them properly, they will be free from germs and can be used again.
Also, one of the benefits of using microfibers as cleaning cloths is that they last for a long time. So, you can use them for an extended period. Although, after a few years, they begin to lose their absorbency and do not pick up dirt, grime, or debris like they used to.
So, as long as you wash them regularly and prevent dirt buildup, you can reuse them for up to two years.
Five Microfiber Clothes Washing Tips To Consider
While washing your microfiber clothes, here are a few tips to keep in mind.
You should only wash your microfibers with other microfiber cloths. They are like “magnets” and can attract different materials from your other laundry.
You should not add excess detergent to your washing machine or bowl so that it can be thoroughly rinsed out.
Do not use fabric softener on your microfibers. The fibers can become clogged by the residues from the softener, making them less absorbent.
Similarly, it would be best if you do not use bleach, fragrance boosters, or any acidic solution to eliminate odors while cleaning your microfibers.
Finally, avoid using dryer sheets for your microfiber cloths. They can become coated by the sheets and become less effective in absorbing dirt or grime.
Final Thoughts
Microfiber is a fabric made of tiny fibers, making it a perfect household cleaning material. It is gentle on surfaces, soaking up liquids and dirt quickly, and can be used damp or dry. Plus, microfiber is excellent for the environment – it is reusable and doesn’t require harsh chemicals. Follow these simple steps to clean your microfiber cloths and clothes so they can continue to work their magic on your surfaces!
