How to Wash and Clean Microfiber Cloths

Laundry tips to keep microfiber cloths soft and clean

By
Heather Bien
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Heather Bien
Heather Bien is an expert decor writer for The Spruce. She splits her time between Washington, D.C. and Locust Hill, VA, receiving her B.A. from the University of Virginia. Her bylines include Apartment Therapy, MyDomaine, HelloGiggles, StyleBlueprint, The Knot, MindBodyGreen, and The Everygirl.
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Updated on 08/08/24
Multi-colored microfiber clothes on white surface and in white wired container

The Spruce / Ulyana Verbytska

In This Article
Project Overview
  • Total Time: 30 mins - 1 hr
  • Skill Level: Beginner
  • Estimated Cost: $0 to $5

Knowing how to clean microfiber cloths helps keep your home spotless when using them. When cleaned improperly, microfiber cloths can quickly lose their effectiveness. For best results, wash your microfiber cloths—in the machine or by hand—separately from other laundered items in cold or warm water. Additionally, wash your microfiber towels in vinegar to remove any lingering smell and soften them up.

It is essential to dry and store your microfiber materials properly so they don't attract lint and dust before the next cleaning job. Keep reading to learn how to clean microfiber cloths and towels by hand or washing machine and how to dry them successfully.

How Often to Wash Microfiber Cloths

Wash microfiber clothes after every use or at least every third use. If they are wet or excessively soiled, wash them after each use. If they're used only for light and routine cleaning, wash them at least after every third use. Be sure to read the care tag to see if the cloth needs hand-washing. This is uncommon for cleaning cloths, but some microfiber towels and other items may need hand-washing.

What You'll Need

Equipment / Tools

  • Washing machine, sink, or basin
  • Clothes dryer or drying rack

Materials

  • Laundry soap or detergent, unscented
  • White vinegar (optional)

Instructions

Materials needed for washing microfiber cloths

The Spruce / Ulyana Verbytska

How to Wash Microfiber Towels in the Washing Machine

  1. Separate Microfiber Items

    Sort your microfiber cleaning cloths separately. Because they attract hair, dirt, dust, and lint, you don't want them mingling with other items or transferring dirt and dust to the rest of your laundry.

    Microfiber cloths sorted out of laundry into white wired container

    The Spruce / Ulyana Verbytska

  2. Choose Your Settings

    Wash heavily soiled cleaning cloths in warm water and lightly soiled cloths in cold water in the washing machine on a delicate setting.

    Selecting warm water for the wash cycle

    The Spruce / Kori Livingston

    Tip

    Avoid hot water, which may damage or break down the fibers over time.

  3. Add Detergent and Run a Full Cycle

    Use half the typical amount of a fragrance-free, additive-free detergent to keep your microfiber cloth functioning effectively. This will prevent soap buildup that can reduce the cloth's cleaning ability. Then, run a full cycle.

    Person adding detergent to a wash tub

    The Spruce / Ulyana Verbytska

    Tip

    If the microfiber cloths smell, add a tablespoon of white vinegar to your wash water. Do not use fragrance boosters or bleach to eliminate odors, as the fibers can be coated or damaged.

How to Wash Microfiber Cloths by Hand

  1. Make a solution. Fill your sink with warm water and 1 to 2 teaspoons of a fragrance-free, additive-free laundry detergent.
  2. Soak your cloths. Add your microfiber cloths only and soak for a few minutes to absorb the water and detergent.
  3. Scrub the cloths. Use your hands to agitate the water and release the dirt from the towels. Rub the fibers together to tackle any tough stains.
  4. Rinse. Lastly, rinse your towels thoroughly under a stream of clean water. Squeeze out any remaining water before air drying.

How to Dry Microfiber Cloths

Microfiber cloths air-dry quickly. Avoiding the dryer will help them last longer. Air-dry them on a flat surface, hang them on a drying rack, or line dry.

Tips to Clean Microfiber Cloths

  • Use a spot cleaner to treat or pretreat stains by applying a dab of detergent and scrubbing by hand before machine washing. However, this is optional—stains do not affect a microfiber cloth's cleaning ability.
  • After cleaning, fold, stack, and store microfiber cloths separately in a drawer or sealed container that protects them from the environment. (Don't store microfiber cloths in a high-heat environment as direct sunlight potentially melts and deforms the synthetic fibers.)
  • Avoid using bleach or fabric softener to clean the microfiber cloth. Bleach ruins the fibers, and fabric softener clogs the spaces between fibers, rendering the cloth useless for cleaning.
FAQ
  • Can microfiber cloth be washed and reused?

    Microfiber cloth can be washed and reused even if it has become stained or dirty, though it should only be washed with other microfiber items. Other fabrics can ruin the integrity of the microfiber cloth.

  • Can I use vinegar to wash microfiber cloths?

    Add 1 cup of vinegar to your washing machine to make microfiber cloths (and towels) soft and odor-free. They become stiff from soap and hard water residue after time. Run a short cycle with the vinegar and then another short cycle using 1 cup of baking soda.

  • How do I remove lint from a microfiber cloth?

    Newly cleaned microfiber cloths sometimes attract lint, which can be removed by vacuuming or using a sticky lint roller or masking tape.

  • How long do microfiber cloths last?

    When properly cared for, microfiber cloths can last for a few years or up to 500 washes.