How to Wash Microfiber Cloths and Towels

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Keep your microfiber cloths & towels in great condition with this guide
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Microfiber cloths are extremely useful for cleaning up dust, dirt, and spills around your home. It's important to properly wash them after each use to prolong their life and keep them working effectively. Clean heavily soiled cloths in your washing machine using a cool, gentle cycle and fragrance-free laundry detergent and wash lightly used microfiber cloths by hand with cool water. Read on to learn the best ways to clean and dry your microfiber cloths and towels, as well as tips on how to keep them in good condition!

The Best Ways to Clean Microfiber Cloths

Shake out and rinse your cloths with water after each use. For soiled cloths, clean them in your washing machine using a splash of fragrance-free detergent and a cool, gentle cycle. For lightly used cloths, soak them in cool water for 10 minutes. Hang the cloths to air dry or use your dryer’s low heat setting.

Section 1 of 5:

Machine Washing Microfiber Cloths

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  1. Shake the cloths over your trashcan or outside to remove any loose debris. Then, rub a drop of gentle, fragrance-free laundry detergent into each side of the stain. [1]
    • Just let the detergent soak into the stain for 5 minutes.
    • Machine wash very dirty microfiber cloths, like those used to clean the kitchen or bathroom or wipe up liquid or greasy messes.
  2. Always wash microfiber cloths separately from other items, especially cotton clothing. Because microfiber cloths are so absorbent, they easily pick up lint, dust, and debris from other clothing, which makes them less effective at cleaning. [2] [3]
    • Laundry expert Sergey Paramonov recommends washing “a bunch of [microfiber cloths] at the same time” to make clean up easier. [4]
    • Certain types of fabrics can also rub against the cloths and break down their microfiber bristles, lessening their effectiveness.
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  3. A small amount of detergent helps lift off stubborn grime. Just make sure to use a gentle, fragrance-free formula so the detergent doesn’t clog the microfiber bristles. [5]
    • Simply pour the detergent into your machine’s detergent drawer or straight into the drum.
    • To remove strong odors , add 1 tbsp (15 ml) of white vinegar into the washer’s drum. [6]
    EXPERT TIP

    Ashley Matuska

    Professional Cleaner
    Ashley Matuska is a Professional Cleaner at the Founder and Owner of Dashing Maids in Denver, Colorado. Ashley has over seven years of experience in the cleaning industry. She and her team specialize in offering sustainable deep cleaning and maintenance cleaning services. She received a BS in Biology and Sociology from Indiana University.
    Ashley Matuska
    Professional Cleaner

    Tip: Don’t wash the cloths with fabric softener, bleach, powdered laundry detergent, or fragranced laundry detergent. These items can break down the microfibers and damage the cloths’ effectiveness.

  4. Only use cool or warm water because hot water can damage the microfibers, especially after repeated washes. Then, select your washer’s gentle or delicate cycle. [7] [8]
    • With detergent, cool or warm water is sufficient to clean and disinfect the cloths.
    • When washed correctly, microfiber cloths can survive 100 to 500 wash cycles while retaining their effectiveness. [9] Replace them when they start to feel rough, like a normal washcloth.
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Section 2 of 5:

Hand Washing Microfiber Cloths

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  1. Give your microfiber cloths a few shakes over your trashcan or sink, or shake them outdoors. This helps remove dirt and dust, making your washing job easier. [10]
    • It’s best to hand wash microfiber cloths that are lightly soiled from dry messes, like dusting. Machine wash dirtier cloths and those used to mop up spills.
  2. Fill your sink or a clean bucket with cool or warm water and let the cloths soak for 10 minutes. Then, use your hands to scrub the cloths and swirl them through the water. This helps loosen dust and grime. [11]
    • You don’t need detergent or soap when hand washing a microfiber cloth. Water and a little agitation are all you need to get out dust and light dirt.
    • However, if you feel like you need a cleaning boost, add a drop of dish soap or gentle, fragrance-free laundry detergent into the water.

    Tip: Always wash microfiber cloths separately from other items. Microfiber cloths are designed to pick up lint and dust. If you wash them with other fabrics, like cotton, they can accumulate more lint which hinders their effectiveness.

  3. Hold each cloth under cool running water to rinse out any remaining dust and dirt. Then, squeeze out the excess moisture so the cloths are not dripping wet. [12]
    • If the cloths are still full of dirt, dust, and debris, launder them in your washing machine to clean them thoroughly.
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Section 3 of 5:

Drying Microfiber Cloths

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  1. Hang the microfiber cloths to air dry . Shake out your clean cloths and hang them on a laundry line, clothes drying rack , or clothes hangers outdoors. Or, air dry them inside in a well-ventilated room. [13]
    • Keep the microfiber cloths separate from other items as they dry to prevent them from picking up lint and other debris.
    • Dry the cloths in direct sunlight when possible for further disinfection.
    • Microfiber cloths dry very quickly, usually within 1 hour. If you can’t wait this long, dry them in your dryer.
    • Air drying is generally recommended as it doesn’t use any heat, which can damage the cloths’ fibers.
  2. Dry your microfiber cloths separately from other items using your machine’s lowest heat setting. Using a dryer is a quick alternative to air drying that can also boost the cloths’ static charge, helping them pick up dust and dirt more effectively. [14]
    • Clean your dryer’s lint trap before drying your microfiber cloths. Loose lint, dust, and debris can clog the cloths’ fibers, causing them to work less effectively.
    • Do not place dryer sheets or dryer balls in the dryer, as these can also damage the cloths’ fibers.
    • Never use a medium or high heat drying setting, as the heat can degrade the cloths.
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Section 4 of 5:

How Often to Clean Microfiber Cloths

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  1. Keep your microfiber cloths in great condition and working effectively by cleaning them after you use them. Simply shake the cloths to remove loose dirt and debris and rinse them out under cool or warm running water. [15]
    • Let the cloths air dry or place them in your dryer on low heat.
    • If your cloths are very soiled, launder them with gentle, fragrance-free detergent using your machine’s gentle cycle.
Section 5 of 5:

Maintaining Microfiber Cloths

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  1. Place your clean and dry cloths in a closed cabinet or storage container with other microfiber cloths. This prevents your cloths from attracting dust and debris while they’re in storage and from picking up lint from other cleaning cloths and towels. [16]
  2. High heat can melt the microfibers, causing the cloths to work less effectively. Never iron your cloths, wash them with hot water, or dry them with high heat. [17]
    • If your cloths are wrinkled, simply lay them on a flat surface and place a heavy object on top of them, like a stack of books, to help get out the creases.
  3. Microfiber cloths are such great cleaners because they’re made from millions of superfine fibers that pick up and absorb dust, dirt, and spills. They’re most effective when you wet them with water to wipe down surfaces or use them with all-purpose cleaners. [18]
    • Using microfiber cloths with harsh chemical cleaners like bleach can damage the microfibers and make the cloths less effective at cleaning.
  4. Due to the microfibers’ absorbent and attractive properties, it’s best to wash and dry the cloths in separate loads from other cleaning items and clothes. This keeps them from picking up lint and debris that can clog the fibers. [19]
  5. When cleaning soiled or stained cloths, only use 1 to 2 tsp (5-10 ml) of gentle, fragrance-free detergent . Heavy, fragranced detergents and fabric softeners can clog the microfibers and make the cloths less effective at cleaning. [20]
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Expert Q&A

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  • Question
    Should I wash microfiber in hot water?
    Ashley Matuska
    Professional Cleaner
    Ashley Matuska is a Professional Cleaner at the Founder and Owner of Dashing Maids in Denver, Colorado. Ashley has over seven years of experience in the cleaning industry. She and her team specialize in offering sustainable deep cleaning and maintenance cleaning services. She received a BS in Biology and Sociology from Indiana University.
    Ashley Matuska
    Professional Cleaner
    Expert Answer
    No, use warm or cold water instead. Heat can melt the microfibers, and the split fibers will shrink.
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  • Question
    Can I put microfiber cloths in the dryer?
    Ashley Matuska
    Professional Cleaner
    Ashley Matuska is a Professional Cleaner at the Founder and Owner of Dashing Maids in Denver, Colorado. Ashley has over seven years of experience in the cleaning industry. She and her team specialize in offering sustainable deep cleaning and maintenance cleaning services. She received a BS in Biology and Sociology from Indiana University.
    Ashley Matuska
    Professional Cleaner
    Expert Answer
    Yes, but dry them on low heat, and for as little time as possible. Using plastic dryer balls will help keep your microfiber towels soft and fluffy.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
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  • Question
    Can I wash my microfiber cloths with the rest of my laundry?
    Ashley Matuska
    Professional Cleaner
    Ashley Matuska is a Professional Cleaner at the Founder and Owner of Dashing Maids in Denver, Colorado. Ashley has over seven years of experience in the cleaning industry. She and her team specialize in offering sustainable deep cleaning and maintenance cleaning services. She received a BS in Biology and Sociology from Indiana University.
    Ashley Matuska
    Professional Cleaner
    Expert Answer
    It's best to wash them in a separate load. Microfiber will pick up loose threads and lint from other fabrics if you wash them together.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
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      References

      1. ↑ https://housewifehowtos.com/do-laundry/caring-for-microfiber-cleaning-cloths/
      2. ↑ Ashley Matuska. Professional Cleaner.
      3. ↑ https://www.cleanipedia.com/gb/laundry/how-to-clean-cleaning-cloths.html
      4. ↑ Sergey Paramonov. Laundry Expert. Expert Interview. 9 September 2022.
      5. ↑ https://www.homesandgardens.com/life-design/how-to-wash-a-microfiber-cloth
      6. ↑ https://www.homesandgardens.com/life-design/how-to-wash-a-microfiber-cloth
      7. ↑ Ashley Matuska. Professional Cleaner.
      8. ↑ https://www.homesandgardens.com/life-design/how-to-wash-a-microfiber-cloth
      9. ↑ https://wspehsu.ucsf.edu/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/FactSheet_Microfiber.pdf
      1. ↑ https://housewifehowtos.com/do-laundry/caring-for-microfiber-cleaning-cloths/
      2. ↑ https://www.cleanipedia.com/gb/laundry/wash-microfiber-cloths-towels.html
      3. ↑ https://housewifehowtos.com/do-laundry/caring-for-microfiber-cleaning-cloths/
      4. ↑ https://housewifehowtos.com/do-laundry/caring-for-microfiber-cleaning-cloths/
      5. ↑ https://www.cleanipedia.com/gb/laundry/how-to-clean-cleaning-cloths.html
      6. ↑ https://www.cleanipedia.com/gb/laundry/how-to-clean-cleaning-cloths.html
      7. ↑ https://www.rd.com/article/dont-put-microfiber-cloths-in-dryer/
      8. ↑ https://www.cleanipedia.com/gb/laundry/how-to-clean-cleaning-cloths.html
      9. ↑ https://www.rd.com/article/dont-put-microfiber-cloths-in-dryer/
      10. ↑ https://www.homesandgardens.com/life-design/how-to-wash-a-microfiber-cloth
      11. ↑ https://wspehsu.ucsf.edu/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/FactSheet_Microfiber.pdf

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