February 10, 2021
How to Launder Cleaning Cloths
I love cleaning with washable cleaning cloths – they’re versatile, economical, and eco-friendly. My favorite benefit? How well they clean. No lint, no spreading dirt and germs around, and you only need to wipe once and your surface is clean. I tend to get quite a few questions surrounding how I clean cleaning cloths. It’s simple and through this post, I’m going to show you how I launder both microfiber, microfiber blend, and cotton. Surprisingly, they can all be laundered the same way, just not all together.
First things first, check the care label – you’ll see that what I’m using is available in my shop but these instructions are general and work for most cleaning cloths.
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.
Here are a couple basic ‘rules’ for washing cleaning cloths, specifically microfiber or a microfiber blend:
- Microfiber can be rinsed and wrung out as you are using it – don’t just wipe once (unless it’s toilets or something especially germy/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. Most of my cleaning cloths are from the bathroom and can be washed separately if necessary.
- Launder with an enzyme-based detergent – this is crucial because it breaks down any dirt and grime and ensures that you don’t have anything left lingering in the cloths once they’re clean and dry. Both my Laundry Detergent Spray and Super Powder have enzymes in them – you can check out my laundry products here.
- Do not use fabric softener – it coats the fibers and can inhibit the cleaning cloths’ effectiveness. I recommend using 1/4 cup white vinegar as a ‘fabric softener’ with regular laundry and it works well with cleaning cloths too. Don’t worry, no scent remains!
- Generally, wash on WARM – 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 the 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? Go here. 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 micro plastics getting back into the ecosystem and environment, they are talking about ANY material that isn’t natural (cotton, linen, silk, etc.). The real problem is plastic bags and the large amount of plastics that are used in everything. Another thing to think of 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. There’s a study that shows that if you wash a microfiber cloth 200+ times it produces about one quarter of an ounce of plastic total. Additionally 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.
Here’s a How to Launder Cleaning Cloths video for you:
How about you? Do you use microfiber for cleaning? Have a question? Ask it in the comments!
Shop all the Cloths + Towels here!
If you need a little help with your laundry – how to launder anything and everything, folding tips, a laundry schedule tool, and more, check out the new Guide to Laundry.
Curious about the Cleaning Cloths in my shop? Here’s some information for you….
The Premium Bar Mop Towels are a new cotton blend – they’re slightly smaller in size and have a different binding/edge. They have the feel of fluffy soft cotton but wipe up counters and surfaces like microfiber. They also have a hang tag with washing instructions. They’re also in a traditional bar mop weave vs. the popcorn texture in the original Bar Mop Towels. If you prefer 100% cotton, the original Bar Mop Towels will be your preference.
The Cleaning Cloth Kit offers 3 different weaves in one package. All-Purpose, Scrub, and Shine are the intentions for the Cleaning Cloth Kit and they will definitely surpass your expectations. The material has a different feel and look as well as a hang tag. Choose from aqua or charcoal.
The Premium Cleaning Cloths are larger than anything else in the shop, super soft, and luxurious in look and feel.
Scrubbing Sponges! This brand new product was thoughtfully designed to replace the sponge you’re currently using – these are amazing and I can’t wait to hear what you think of this cute little sponge!
Kimberly Says
Does the liquid and powder detergents have the same ingredients or does one work better for certain stains than the other? Would you please explain the difference?
Mandi Says
I wash my microfiber cloths on sanitize every time and they never feel clean. They feel a bit greasy and stains don’t come out. I use Wegmans brand Free and Clear liquid detergent but I don’t know if it has enzymes. Is that the issue?
Clean Mama Says
Post authorIt could be your detergent – the enzymes work wonders! You could also try doing a second rinse.
Terry Says
What cloths would you recommend to start your program. I have some bu5 they are old so I want to replace. Please suggest fir dusting, cleaning, waxing etc. thank you
Clean Mama Says
Post authorThe Cleaning Cloth Kit!
https://shop.cleanmama.com/collections/new/products/cleaning-cloth-kit-set-of-3-aqua
Diahnne Says
I know that you said not to put the dusting microfiber together with the bathroom microfiber when dirty but at the time to launder it do you wash them all together or do you launder the dusting one by itself?
Clean Mama Says
Post authorI typically launder them together if I only have one or two, unless there’s a reason to keep them separate – like if someone is sick.
Rose McCluskey Says
Thanks. Great morning read. I am a little weird about laundry germs. I use to wash it all on cold. Then I was afraid with Covid. I have for a long time used that Lysol additive to laundry. You probably don’t like that and I think it just gives me piece of mind. I did change to warm water because I read an article about enzymes in detergent do best in 65 degrees laundry. To hot kills enzymes.
Then the dryer kills germs too. Do you wash cleaning towels seperate, then towels, then the rest. Having to many clothes makes more laundry. That’s why we need to declutter. Or that was my thought. I have a pack of micro fiber towel. One was for metals, one wood and one something else. But I forgot and they all seem same. I have some cheap microfiber and they do stick on everything if they go in with clothes. Just ones I wipe up water with. No more. Thank you for sharing that amazing article.
I use dryer sheets. I made wool balls for friends but it what it is. They 5 shoots laundry detergent. I am not sure what to think. You should sell samples. People do over soap bad though.
Have a wonderful day.
Mimi Says
I just bought the sponges which I’m in LOVE with. I notice they don’t come out clean in the dishwasher. Do you wash those in the washing machine?
Clean Mama Says
Post authorYou can wash them in either one – just air dry!
Helen Says
I’m a little confused. Do you wash cloths used to clean bathrooms separately from your other cleaning cloths or wash them all together? I didn’t understand if you let the bathroom cleaning cloths dry and then combine them with all other cleaning cloths in the basket were they wait to be washed together or if you keep them separate to avoid cross contamination.
Cheryl Says
I have started using reusable dust mops on my hardwood floors. I shake them outside but I know they should be washed also. Do you put them in the washing machine or hand wash?
Clean Mama Says
Post authorI shake them out and put them in the washing machine.
Christina Says
When you say you do not wash dusting cloths with bathroom cloths are you saying you do 2 different microfiber wash loads? It would take me a month to accumulate enough wash cloths for those loads if that is the case.
Clean Mama Says
Post authorNot necessarily – as long as it’s the same type of cloth, you can wash them together.
Roberta Says
Can I wash my cleaning cloths that I use in the bathroom with the ones I use in the kitchen.
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Nicole Wilker Says
Wow! Just wow. Thank you! This info is great and now that i think about mixing my cloths in with my laundry – now i’m like – well that is gross! hahahah! For those that forget, similar to how you have your towels set up – i have a different color for each area, kitchen, each bathroom, etc. Thank you!
Rowena Dennis Says
I soak my cleaning cloths in a bucket of hot water and a scoop of Vanish over a week and then do a hot wash (60 degrees Celsius) with them and line dry (outside in the sun if possible).
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Tammy Igo Says
I purchased the aqua cleaning cloth bundle. Are all of the cloths in this bundle considered microfiber?
Clean Mama Says
Post authorThey all have polyester in them (component of microfiber) and I launder them together but the premium bar mops also have cotton as well.
Karen Rinck Says
I had bought some of the laundry cleaning stuff from you a couple of months ago and just now using them they are awesome my clothes have never smelled and looked this clean and white I wi be buying more .
Clean Mama Says
Post authorLove it! Thanks for sharing!