How To Clean Microfiber Cloths

Knowing how to clean microfiber cloths will extend their usefulness. As one of the 10 basic cleaning tools everyone should own, microfiber cloths are indispensable at keeping your home clean. They do require proper care to work well, though.

If you’ve ever held a microfiber cleaning cloth in your bare hand, you’ve probably noticed that it’s more bristly and rough than a standard cloth. That’s due to the ultra-fine fibers which make up this synthetic fabric, which are woven and then split to increase surface area. You’ve probably also noticed that your microfiber upholstery doesn’t have the same roughness: that’s because its fibers aren’t split, so it remains a smooth, supple replacement for leather and suede.

The split fibers of a microfiber cleaning cloth are what makes them so great at picking up dust or powering away grime. Unfortunately, that same texture makes them harder to clean since the fibers grab onto dirt and other messes. While it’s tempting to think you can treat them like other fabrics, improper washing will wear away those split bristles and ruin their scrubbing power.

Microfiber cloths should not be treated like regular cleaning or dusting rags. To keep them in good shape, follow these steps.

Cleaning Dusty Microfiber Cloths

It’s a good idea to have separate microfiber cloths for dusting, for cleaning kitchens, and for cleaning bathrooms. That’s why customers like colored sets. They use the yellow cloths to dust, the blue ones in the bathroom, and the white ones everywhere else.

Since repeated washing inevitably wears down the fibers, those used for dusting should be shaken outside to remove as much dust as possible then repeatedly rinsed under cold water. Reserve laundering for every four or five uses and you’ll keep them in good shape longer.