How to Properly Care for Microfibre Cloths

Microfibre cleaning tools continue to grow in popularity thanks to the material’s wide range of advantages over ordinary textiles. They can absorb more than seven times their weight in water, making them much more effective than traditional cleaning cloths, and trap dirt in their fibres, leaving behind a completely clean surface. However, these benefits only last as long as microfibre is cared for correctly.

Cloths made of microfibre should be laundered weekly, based on typical cleaning routines. Items should be washed separately, as microfibre can collect lint from cotton and other fabrics, which can render the cleaning cloths ineffective. Recommended wash temperature is 140 F. Wash time is similar to cotton — approximately 40 to 70 minutes — depending on the items and soil content. However, unlike cotton, fabric softener is not necessary with microfibre.

Microfibre should be dried at a lower temperature than cotton. It dries faster than the natural fibre, in approximately 60% of the time. Once the cycle is complete, microfibre cloths should be immediately removed from the dryer, as prolonged exposure to heat can scorch the fibres. Damaged microfibre will look frayed. Brown or yellow discolouring or staining may also occur, and cloths can develop holes.

If your microfibre cloths start to smell or not work as well as they should, try boiling them in water with a quarter of a cup of baking soda for 10 to 15 minutes. Lay them flat to dry before folding and storing them away.