How to clean a microfiber cloth and how often you should do it

Knowing how to clean a microfiber towel is often not considered a top priority – after all, we only use these towels for everyday cleaning. But that’s exactly why this task is more important than you think. We use microfiber towels to pick up all kinds of dirt around the home, from dust mites to kitchen stains. They are even necessary when cleaning out Toilet. Given the amount of germs and stains they pick up, it’s no wonder they need to be cleaned and refreshed regularly.

If left uncleaned, the dirt will only accumulate until the cloth stinks and becomes counterproductive in use. But what’s the best way to clean those towels considering how many detergents and dirt they contain? Here we explain everything you need to know about cleaning microfiber towels, including how often you should do it. This way you can be sure that your cleaning materials are fresh and ready for the next task.

How to clean a microfiber cloth

1. Remove excess dust and dirt – If you use your microfiber towels for dusting, chances are they’re filled with dust bunnies. Before washing them, discard the excess dust in the trash. The same goes for any leftover food or hair that may have accumulated in your cloth.

2. Machine Wash — Of course, you can machine wash your microfiber towels in one of the best washing machines. In fact, most wipes include a care label with recommended wash settings for best results. Here are some tips if you want to machine wash your microfiber towels:

• If you are dealing with a heavily soiled microfiber towel, use the hottest temperature allowed by the care label. Don’t go hotter than this setting, however, or you could melt the fibers.
• To help remove stains, you can also soak your microfiber towels before washing – you can do this directly in the drum on a top-loading washing machine. If necessary, you can also use a commercially available stain remover before loading.
• Don’t mix your microfiber towels with your regular laundry load. While it saves you the extra wash, you’re contaminating the germs and bacteria with your clothes, which isn’t a pleasant thought. We recommend washing your microfiber towels together in bulk to save water and energy, but avoid washing with other materials. Otherwise, your towels may attract lint.
• Stick to using a specialty microfiber detergent like Chemical Guys Microfiber Wash ($8.99, Amazon (opens in new tab)). Conventional harsh detergents can damage microfibers. Also, be mindful of how much you dose, as you won’t need much compared to your standard load. A few teaspoons should be enough.
• Never use fabric softener on your microfiber towels. This actually coats the fabric with a waxy residue that ruins absorbency. If you want to know more That’s why fabric softener is bad news for you and your washing machine.
• If you’re dealing with musty microfiber towels, you can also add a tablespoon of distilled white vinegar to the water. This helps with deodorizing.

3. Hand washing — For lighter stains and daily cleaning, hand washing is another alternative. And because microfiber cloths are so small, it’s quick and easy. Here are some tips to follow:

• Keep the microfiber towels separate from other materials, even if you hand wash them.
• The water temperature should be cool to warm. Do not hand wash with hot water as there is a risk of degrading the microfibers.
• Again, stick to a dedicated microfiber detergent, as recommended above, and don’t use too much when dosing.
• You can use a stain remover to treat heavy stains before hand washing, such as B. Hate Stains Co. stain remover ($14.50, Amazon (opens in new tab)). Soaking the cloths can also be useful for getting rid of stains.
• If that doesn’t work, you can also try using a scrubber, such as B. the commercial all-purpose scrubbing brush from Amazon ($10.79, Amazon (opens in new tab)). A scrubbing brush is also useful for removing dirt that has become lodged in the fibers.
• Once your microfiber towels are clean, rinse well with fresh water and wring and squeeze out the excess before moving on to the next step.

4. Dry Your Microfiber Towels — Drying your microfiber towels is pretty easy. You can either hang them up to dry or throw them in the best clothes dryer. In any case, there are a few tips to keep in mind:

• When you hang your microfiber towels out to dry, make sure the material is spread out, not bunched up, and allows for adequate airflow. If it can’t dry fast enough, it starts to smell.
• For the tumble dryer, keep items made of other materials separate from the load unless you want your microfiber towels to come out covered in lint.
• Also, don’t use dryer sheets as part of the cycle. Similar to fabric softeners, this only coats the microfiber with residue, reducing its efficiency.
• Also, use a low heat and fast cycle. Microfiber towels are small and don’t require much energy or time to dry.