Home Cleaning Cleaning How-Tos How to Clean a Microfiber Cloth Properly Keep it absorbent, soft, and free of trapped debris with these maintenance tips. By Mary Marlowe Leverette Mary Marlowe Leverette Mary Marlowe Leverette has over four decades of experience and has been writing and consulting for more than 20 years sharing her knowledge on efficient housekeeping, stain removal methods, and textile conservation. Real Simple's Editorial Guidelines Updated on June 05, 2024 Close Photo: Punda Panda/Getty Images Learning how to clean a microfiber cloth properly can help it last longer and clean more efficiently. Woven from polyester fibers about one-fifth the thickness of a human hair, these cloths are surprisingly strong and long-lasting. The properties of the microfibers allow them to pick up small particles that elude cotton rags. The fibers are electrostatic so they attract and hold dust, offer gentle abrasive action, and are lint-free. But to keep a microfiber cloth at its best, you should learn how to clean it the right way to keep it absorbent, soft, and free of trapped debris. Considerations Before You Get Started Do not wash microfiber cloths with cotton towels or cloths. The cotton sheds lint and the microfiber will attract and trap the fibers and causing little knots or pills to form.Do not add fabric softener when washing microfiber. It causes the fibers to be less absorbent.Do not use chlorine bleach; it can damage microfiber. If you are concerned about bacterial contamination, add pine oil or a phenolic disinfectant like Lysol Laundry Sanitizer when washing it.Skip the dryer or dry on low heat to prevent damage (they can melt!) to the fibers. How Often to Clean a Microfiber Cloth Microfiber cleaning cloths, dusters, and mop heads should be washed after every use to get rid of the trapped dirt and grit. Removing the dirt will prevent scratching on surfaces when you use them the next time. Microfiber dish towels can be used up to three times to dry dishes before washing. Cloths used for dishwashing should be rinsed well after every use, hung to dry, and washed or replaced at least every other day. The Best 30-Minute Cleaning Routines, According to Professional Cleaners How to Clean a Microfiber Cloth in the Washer What You'll Need Equipment / Tools Washing machine, sink, or plastic tub Drying rack or automatic dryer Materials Laundry detergent Enzyme-based stain remover Distilled white vinegar Instructions Sort the Laundry Separate microfiber cloths and towels from cotton or linen items. Never wash lint-shedding fabrics together with lint attractors. This includes cotton t-shirts with microfiber jackets or activewear. Pretreat Stains If you are concerned about removing heavy soil or specific stains, the cloths should be pretreated. Dab the stain with an enzyme-based stain remover or a heavy-duty laundry detergent. Work the stain remover into the fibers with your fingers. Set the cloth aside for at least 10 minutes to allow the enzymes to begin breaking apart the stain molecules. Select the Washer Settings Wash microfiber cloths in warm or cold water whether you are using a washer or washing by hand in a sink or plastic tub. Select the load size. Use a regular wash and spin cycle. Add the detergent but no fabric softener to dispensers. If they smell, add a tablespoon of vinegar to the machine. Measure the detergent carefully and do not overdose. Avoid hot water which can damage microfiber and high spin cycles which can cause excessive wrinkling that is difficult to remove. Use a Low Heat Drying Method Remove the cloths from the washer and give each one a shake to help release wrinkles. Hang to air dry on a drying rack. If you plan to tumble-dry, set the dryer to low heat and a short cycle. Do not add a dryer sheet. How to Hand-Wash Microfiber Cloths Fill Your Container With Soap and Water Fill your sink or other container (bucket, plastic bin) with a few drops of liquid detergent and warm water. Soak and Scrub the Cloths Add the cloths to the container and let them soak for 10 to 15 minutes. Once they've had time to absorb the soap and water, use your hands to scrub them gently. Rinse and Hang Dry Rinse the cloths in clean, cool water. Wring them out thoroughly, then hang them to dry. If you need to dry them faster, use the same method for the dry that's listed above. Tips to Keep Your Microfiber Cloths in Good Shape Do not use a fabric softener or dryer sheet when cleaning microfiber. If your cloths feel stiff and less absorbent from trapped soil and detergent residue, mix a solution of two quarts of water and one cup of distilled white vinegar in a sink or plastic tub. Submerge the cloths and allow them to soak overnight. Rinse well and hang to air dry. Do not wash microfiber with lint-shedding fabrics. If this happens, use a lint roller or sticky tape to remove the lint from the microfiber. Do not dry on high heat. Frequently Asked Questions How do you remove lint from a microfiber cloth? You can remove lint from microfiber cloths using a lint roller with sticky paper or rolled-up tape. Because microfiber cloths are so efficient at cleaning, they are also prone to picking up lint. To avoid getting lint stuck in them, be sure to wash your microfiber cloths only with other microfiber materials. How do you soften microfiber towels? To soften microfiber towels, add a cup of vinegar to your washer or basin when you wash them. After many uses, microfiber towels tend to become stiff and scratchy. Since using fabric softener is a no-no for this material, vinegar, a natural fabric softener, is the best option. How often should you replace microfiber towels? You should only need to replace your microfiber cloths every couple of years. As long as you're using the correct methods to wash them and not using them in particularly harsh cleaning situations, microfiber towels can last for a long time. If your cloths don't seem to be cleaning as well as they used to, that's the number one sign that they need to be replaced. Our 40 Best Spring Cleaning Tips of All Time