Blog Categories +
I love cleaning with microfiber – it’s versatile, economical, and eco-friendly. My favorite benefit? How well it cleans. No lint, no spreading dirt and germs around, and you only need to wipe once and your surface is clean. I get quite a few questions surrounding how I clean my microfiber cleaning cloths ( I use these, from my shop) – so if you’ve ever wondered this, today’s post is for you.
A common misconception with any cleaning cloth that you wash and reuse is that it might not be clean or that you might spread germs around from the cloth as you clean. The thing with microfiber is that its ‘micro’ fibers actually grab the dirt and germs and holds on to them in lieu of spreading them around. I think that’s what holds people back from switching from cleaning wipes and paper towels – maybe you can relate? Let’s bust open those misconceptions today and talk about HOW to make sure your cleaning cloths are actually clean before you use them.
Please note: Check the care label on your microfiber first, these are my personal recommendations and how I care for my microfiber cloths.
Here are a couple basic ‘rules’ for washing microfiber:
- Microfiber can be rinsed and wrung out as your using it – don’t just wipe once (unless it’s toilets or something germs/dirty). Rinse, wring out, and continue using.
- Find a place to hold the microfiber while it’s drying and before you have a load to wash. I keep a bucket in my cleaning closet for any cloths that are really wet and then once they are dry or damp I toss dirty microfiber cloths in a wire basket. If a cloth is wet I drape it over the side of the bucket until it’s dry and then I place it in the basket. Dusting cloths don’t get mixed into this bucket, this bucket is for bathroom cleaning cloths so there isn’t cross-contamination.
- Wash microfiber only with other microfiber cloths. If you put other laundry items in the washing machine with your microfiber it turns into a static magnet – just avoid that altogether by washing microfiber all by itself.
- Launder with detergent – use less (I use half the amount that I usually use) so it fully rinses out. Here’s my absolute favorite – Super Laundry Powder.
- Do not use fabric softener – it coats the fibers and ruins its effectiveness, I add 1/4 cup white vinegar to each load.
- Wash on HOT or sanitize – most germs and microorganisms are killed at 140 degrees Fahrenheit. I wash my microfiber that needs to be sanitized on HOT or sanitize. You can look up your particular washing machine or brand and see what temperature the hot and sanitize cycles get to and decide what’s best for you. (As a general rule, washing on warm and drying on low to medium will kill the germs in your cleaning cloths, but if you need to sanitize, it will need to be warmer.)
- I wash the microfiber cloths in this basket weekly or when it’s filled up and enough for a load, and then run a sanitize/clean cycle on the washing machine. Bonus: clean cloths + a clean washing machine. Not sure how to clean your washing machine? You should be doing it monthly at the least to avoid spreading germs in your clothes, bedding, cleaning cloths, etc.
- Dry in the dryer on low to medium. Drying the microfiber in the dryer will kill any germs that might remain after washing them.
A couple more common questions about microfiber:
- If you don’t like the ‘feel’ of microfiber, try dampening your cloth slightly first – that will take away that scratchy feeling and get your cloth ready to clean! My microfiber cleaning cloths are soft and smooth and/or soft and fluffy.
- Microfiber is more eco-friendly for cleaning because you can reuse microfiber cleaning cloths for 300+ uses – think of how many paper towels this eliminates!
- Another common question I receive is if ‘microfiber’ cleaning cloths are harmful to the environment because of the polyester they’re made from. The short answer is: when people talk about microfibers getting back into the ecosystem they are talking about ANY material that isn’t natural (cotton, linen, silk, etc.). The real problem is all of the artificial fibers in clothing like workout wear and other non-cotton materials. If you look at the amount of clothes that you are washing and you have athleisure wear or any material that isn’t 100% cotton, and you look at the size of that pile of clothes versus the small pile of microfiber cleaning cloths, the issue IS NOT microfiber cleaning cloths, the problem is all of the other clothes that are being washed. If you want to not use any microfibers, you can use cotton cleaning cloths – I have 100% cotton Bar Mop Towels in my shop and/or you can put a filter in your washing machine that will catch any microfibers from all of your laundry.
How about you? Do you use microfiber for cleaning? Have a question? Ask it in the comments!
Retta Dodge Says...
I really appreciate this helpful information, thank you????
Adrienne Says...
I never would have thought to throw anything in with my washing machines clean cycle. That is a fantastic idea. I can’t wait to try it out.
Clean Mama Says...
Post authorI don’t throw them into the clean cycle, I run the clean cycle after I wash them 🙂
Brittany Currier Says...
I am so glad you did this post! I cant tell you how long I was washing my cleaning cloths with my cotton dish towels and my cotton dish drying towels. It seemed to be ruining them by making them a magnet for all the lint balls and strings. Also I was putting them in the dryer with dryer sheets. Lesson learned. I have a question though, if I did accidentally wash them with cotton towels or dryer sheets do you know of a trick to get the microfiber cloths back to its original state? Also do you ever use dryer balls for your dusting cloths to help get them fluffed up?
Clean Mama Says...
Post authorYou can use a lint roller on them and wash with the other microfiber and see if the lint goes away after a washing or two! I typically don’t use the wool balls with the microfiber but you can try it and see if they fluff up the dusting cloths.
Amanda Says...
I’m so glad you mentioned washing them separately! I have been washing them with other towels or clothes for years and get so frustrated with all the lint they collect…duh! Note to self from now on 🙂
Jenna Says...
Thank you for the advice! I love using microfiber cloths to clean. I also keep the bathroom cloths in a separate bucket to dry. When they dry, do you throw them in the same basket as your other cloths or keep them separate? Also do you wash them separately? Thanks!
Clean Mama Says...
Post authorI wash all the microfiber together on the sanitize cycle 🙂
Vanessa Says...
Hi, I love your blog and tips. Do you wash the bathroom microfiber cloths separately from the dusting microfiber cloths. Great tip on washing them separately. I was washing them with other bathroom towels.
Clean Mama Says...
Post authorI wash all the microfiber together on the sanitize cycle 🙂
R Says...
I like the idea of using microfibre instead of paper towels as an eco-friendly alternative. That said, I am wondering if it is indeed more eco friendly as it requires a lot of energy with a separate (small) load using a hot water in the wash and time in the dryer. Just a thought/question. Thanks for being a great resource! I enjoy your posts so much.
Clean Mama Says...
Post authorI wait until I have a medium sized load and most washing machines adjust water to the size of the load so you won’t be using an excess amount of water.
Barbara Sellitti Says...
Do you use the wool dryer balls with the microfiber cloths when drying them?
Clean Mama Says...
Post authorYou can, but I typically don’t….
Kelly Says...
Shameless plug here…I have tried several different microfiber cloths, cheap ones from the grocery store and more expensive “name brand” ones. The microfiber cloths from Clean Mama are by far my favorite. They’re a bit bigger and they STAY soft and fluffy through many washings.
Clean Mama Says...
Post authorTHANK YOU Kelly! They’re my favorite too!
Jen Morton Says...
I too have been washing them with other towels and rags for years. Is there anything to do with these microfiber cloths that have collected lint? Do I just need to start over?
Clean Mama Says...
Post authorYou can use a lint roller on them and wash with the other microfiber and see if the lint goes away after a washing or two!
Jacqueline Says...
I feel pretty silly but I didn’t even realize That they were useful to use wet! I’ve only ever used them dry and for dusting. I’m so excited right now and now I even know how to clean them right!
Marian West Says...
Do you wash cleaning and dusting cloths separately?
Clean Mama Says...
Post authorI wash all the microfiber together on the sanitize cycle 🙂
Kim Montgomery Says...
Thank you for this post! I have always wondered what I have been doing wrong and now I know.
Wash microfiber cloths separately ????
Just to clarify, you mentioned keeping your dusting cloths and bathroom cloths separate to prevent cross-contamination. Does this mean that you do not wash them together or just while they are drying?
Clean Mama Says...
Post authorI wash all the microfiber together on the sanitize cycle 🙂
Parrish Nored Says...
Thank you Becky! You are like the mom I never had. I am learning so much!
Mervi Says...
Actually microfiber cloths are not very eco-friendly because of the microplastics they contain. Eventually microplastic particles will end up in the eco system polluting the nature.
Trish Says...
Yes .Thanks for helpful informatain on microfiber . I USE them and yes put hot water with the wash.
Katy Says...
I wash my microfiber on hot/ dry low, but they kinda have a funky smell (particularly when wet. Once dry it’s faint, but they don’t smell squeaky clean). Do you have any advice on how to combat the after-wash smell issue?
Clean Mama Says...
Post authorTry washing them with 1/4 cup white vinegar and your detergent.
Karen Smith Says...
Love the metal basket. Do you know where you got it? Recently purchased your laundry soap and am very, very happy with it. Thanks!
Julie Says...
SUCH a helpful post, Becky. Thank you!! I’ve been waiting for this information – it’s perfectly what I needed – informative and thorough! 🙂
Clean Mama Says...
Post authorSo glad you found this helpful Julie!
Tracy Says...
Can I use cleaners such as Method brand with the cloths? What do you use?
Clean Mama Says...
Post authorI use my DIY cleaners and my All-Purpose Spray but you can use what you love!
SHelby Says...
We use microfiber cloths in our kitchen and have a bucket under the sink that i hang them over the side until theyre dry and then drop them in. We dont switch out our cloths EVERY day. We’ve had an issue with our cloths smelling, sometimes like onions, sometimes sour. We have been washing them with other towels, which i dont think would be causing this, but wondering if you have any suggestions for how to get the mildew/sour smell out.
Clean Mama Says...
Post authorUse fresh ones daily and let them dry thoroughly and you won’t have the sour smell.
Karen Says...
Cleaning with the microfiber cloths was a game changer for me. Finally, a cloth that you can use to dust without extra lint falling back on the table, windowsill, etc that was just dusted. And when you clean up something really disgusting, you can either wash it or throw it away. Thank you for the tips for taking care of the microfiber cloths.
Candice Says...
I have been waiting for this post all my life, thanks so much, Clean Mama! You rock! So can I also just clarify here – do bathroom cloths, dusting cloths and kitchen cloths all get washed together? How do you then know which are the kitchen cloths, which are the bathroom cloths and which are the dusting cloths? Or do you just use any cloth in any location again? Thanks Clean Mama! You are always a blessing!
Keri Says...
As a person who is trying very much to get away from use of all microfibers I appreciate you saying that we can use your 100% cotton bar mop towels instead. Do you find there is any down side to using the cotton vs. the microfiber? Thank you.
Clean Mama Says...
Post authorThe cotton leaves lint behind and clean as well and needs to be rinsed often – I love cotton for the kitchen but for the bathroom, I really love microfiber!
Connie Says...
What laundry detergent do you use to wash the microfiber cloths?
Clean Mama Says...
Post authorHi Connie, Check out this post that explains how to wash and care for your microfiber cloths. https://cleanmama.com/how-to-care-for-microfiber-cleaning-cloths/
Candice Says...
I have been waiting for this post all my life, thanks so much, Clean Mama! You rock! So can I also just clarify here – do bathroom cloths, dusting cloths and kitchen cloths all get washed together? How do you then know which are the kitchen cloths, which are the bathroom cloths and which are the dusting cloths? Or do you just use any cloth in any location again? Thanks, Clean Mama! You are always a blessing!
Pingback: Clean Mama’s Holiday Gift Guide – Clean Mama
Pingback: DIY Disinfecting Spray Cleaner – Clean Mama
Virginia Ellen Says...
Good morning,
I am really grateful for this cleaning class week! 🙂 Just curious, how many microfiber towels do you use within a day/week? We only have one bathroom, so I am trying to figure out a good number to have on hand. Also, do you use a new cloth each day for your counters and then a separate one for each sink? Thank you!
Valerie Says...
I’ve washed my microfiber cloths (I have yours) with other towels before. Yes, I realized my mistake after I did it. Will washing them separately going forward get rid of the lint and hair they’ve picked up, or have I ruined them by washing with other towels?
Clean Mama Says...
Post authorYou haven’t ruined them, just wash them separately moving forward.
Connie Says...
Thanks for the advice! Sadly my cloths were added to the dryer and used a fabric softer sheet???? Can they be restored??
Clean Mama Says...
Post authorWash separately going forward.
Maria Says...
Hi Becky! Thank you for this info, very useful tips moving forward. I love microfiber cloths and use them almost everywhere. However, in the kitchen I’ve been using the double microfiber/bar mop ones. I don’t find a preference either way but I was wondering what is your take on replacing paper towels for Swedish Dishcloths vs. microfiber/bar mop? Thanks!
Colleen Says...
When/how do you wash the polishing cloths? You don’t wash them with the micro fiber cloths?
Clean Mama Says...
Post authorWith other microfiber cloths 🙂
Karen Smith Says...
I love the bucket and basket. Where can i find those?? Thanks!! Also can I just line dry the cloths?
Judy Wilson Says...
Hi Becky.
I just made an order and some of the products were out of stock. I have been waiting to use my 20% off till everything I wanted was available. But every time I check there are things not there available. So I did use it.
When the other products are available, bucket, blue smaller cloths, may o use a 20% off as well?
Thank you,
Judy Wilson
I have been tellling many young mothers and my daughter in laws about your books and website. I have been following your routine and I feel like if I miss something I am going to get behind. So it pushes me everyday!
Thank you!!!!
Clean Mama Says...
Post authorEverything should be back – email me if you have any coupon code issues!
Cindy Says...
Love your cleaning tips but I am interested in your thoughts on the impact on the environment when washing these microfiber cloths as I know you are very organic. Based on what I have read, when washing these cloths, plastic particles are released into the water system and ultimately make their way to our oceans causing harm to the ecosystem.
Clean Mama Says...
Post authorI address this in this post:
Another common question I receive is if ‘microfiber’ cleaning cloths are harmful to the environment because of the polyester they’re made from. The short answer is: when people talk about microfibers getting back into the ecosystem they are talking about ANY material that isn’t natural (cotton, linen, silk, etc.). The real problem is all of the artificial fibers in clothing like workout wear and other non-cotton materials. If you look at the amount of clothes that you are washing and you have athleisure wear or any material that isn’t 100% cotton, and you look at the size of that pile of clothes versus the small pile of microfiber cleaning cloths, the issue IS NOT microfiber cleaning cloths, the problem is all of the other clothes that are being washed. If you want to not use any microfibers, you can use cotton cleaning cloths – I have 100% cotton Bar Mop Towels in my shop and/or you can put a filter in your washing machine that will catch any microfibers from all of your laundry.
Janet Says...
Just to clarify, I use microfiber cloths in the kitchen and to different microfiber cloths to clean the bathroom. Is it correct I can’t wash these together even if I sanitize in the wash?
Clean Mama Says...
Post authorIt’s up to you – if you are confident in your sanitize cycle, it should be sanitized.
DW Says...
Thank you for posting. Where do you source your microfiber cloths from?
Clean Mama Says...
Post authorMost of my products are made in the US – all of the consumables are (laundry products, dish soap, all-purpose Spray, candles..) The cleaning cloths, towels and sponges are manufactured in China and Pakistan.
Carolina Says...
Hi,
I was wondering if I can use the same microfiber cloth that I use to do dishes and wipe down counter tops, for a week before replacing with a clean one.
Clean Mama Says...
Post authorI recommend using a fresh microfiber cloth daily!