How to Clean Microfiber Cloths

Co-authored by Ashley Matuska

Last Updated: November 21, 2022

Microfiber cloths are extremely useful for cleaning up dust around your home or from screens. In order to prolong their life and cleaning power, it's important to carefully clean microfiber cloths separately from other items. Wash microfiber cloths by hand in clean water, or in a washing machine with liquid laundry detergent. To dry microfiber cloths, hang them to air dry to keep them from accumulating lint in the dryer. By cleaning your microfiber cloths properly, they'll last for hundreds of uses!

Method 1

Method 1 of 2:

Rinsing Lightly-Used Microfiber Cloths by Hand

1
Put the dirty cloths in a clean bucket filled with cool or warm water. Fill a clean bucket, big enough to hold all the cloths you want to wash, with clean cool or warm water. Toss the cloths in and let them soak for a few minutes.^{[1]
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- Hand washing works best for cleaning microfiber cloths that have been used to clean dry messes, such as for dusting. For dirtier cloths or those used to mop up spills, you will need to machine-wash them.
Tip: Always wash microfiber cloths separately from other items. Microfiber cloths are designed to pick up lint and dust. If you wash them with other fabrics, like cotton, they will just accumulate more lint.
2
Use your hands to move the cloths around in the water to release dirt. Swirl the microfiber cloths around in the bucket of water to loosen dust and other grime they have accumulated. You only need to do this for a minute or two.^{[2]
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- Don’t use detergent or any other cleaning products for this method. To get dust and light dirt out, all you need is clean water and a little agitation.
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3
Rinse the cloths out under cool running water and wring out the excess water. Take each cloth out and hold it under a running tap to rinse out any remaining dust and dirt. Wring out the excess water so that the cloths are not dripping.^{[3]
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- If this doesn't work to get the dirt and dust out of the cloths, then you will need to launder them in a washing machine to clean them thoroughly.
4
Hang up the cloths and let them air dry. Hang each cloth up separately from other items on clothes hangers or a clothes line. Let them air dry completely before using them to clean again.^{[4]
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- Avoid drying microfiber cloths in a drying machine. Drying machines are full of lint and dust that the cloths will just pick up. If you absolutely must dry them in a machine, then tumble dry them with no heat and apart from other items.

Method 2

Method 2 of 2:

Laundering Heavily-Soiled Microfiber Cloths

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Pretreat any stains or spots with a drop of liquid laundry detergent. Rub a drop of liquid laundry detergent into each side of the stain with the tip of a finger. Let it soak in for 5 minutes before you launder the cloth.^{[5]
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- Wash microfiber cloths used to clean in the kitchen, bathroom, or used to clean liquid or greasy messes after each use.
EXPERT TIP

Ashley Matuska
Professional Cleaner
Ashley Matuska is a Professional Cleaner at the Founder and Owner of Dashing Maids in Denver, Colorado. Ashley has over seven years of experience in the cleaning industry. She and her team specialize in offering sustainable deep cleaning and maintenance cleaning services.

Ashley Matuska
Professional Cleaner

Tip: Don’t add fabric softeners, bleach, vinegar, or anything other than liquid laundry detergent. These will break down the microfibers and damage the cloths. Use them on their own, or with clean water only.
2
Put the dirty cloths in the washing machine separate from other items. Always wash microfiber cloths separately from other items, especially cotton clothing. This will keep them from picking up more lint.^{[6]
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Ashley Matuska. Professional Cleaner.}^{[7]
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- Certain types of fabrics will rub against the cloths and break down the microfiber bristles which will decrease their effectiveness as well.
3
Put 1/2 the amount of liquid detergent you would normally use in the machine. Don’t use powdered laundry detergent because it can damage the microfibers. Close the laundry machine after you put the detergent in.^{[8]
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4
Run the washing machine on its cold or warm water cycle. Only use cold or warm water because hot water can damage the microfibers, especially after repeated washes. Cold or warm water with detergent is sufficient to clean and disinfect the cloths.^{[9]
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- When washed correctly, microfiber cloths will survive 100-500 wash cycles and retain their effectiveness. Replace them when they start to feel rough, like normal washcloths.
5
Hang the cloths to air dry. Remove the cloths from the washing machine and hang them on a laundry line or clothes hangers. Hang them in the sun, if you can, for added disinfection.^{[11]
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- Microfiber cloths dry very quickly. They should be dry and ready to use again within an hour. If you can’t wait this long for them to dry, then only tumble dry them with no heat and separately from any other items.

Expert Q&A

Question

Should I wash microfiber in hot water?

Ashley Matuska
Professional Cleaner
Ashley Matuska is a Professional Cleaner at the Founder and Owner of Dashing Maids in Denver, Colorado. Ashley has over seven years of experience in the cleaning industry. She and her team specialize in offering sustainable deep cleaning and maintenance cleaning services.

Ashley Matuska

Professional Cleaner

Expert Answer

No, use warm or cold water instead. Heat can melt the microfibers, and the split fibers will shrink.
Question

Can I put microfiber cloths in the dryer?

Ashley Matuska
Professional Cleaner
Ashley Matuska is a Professional Cleaner at the Founder and Owner of Dashing Maids in Denver, Colorado. Ashley has over seven years of experience in the cleaning industry. She and her team specialize in offering sustainable deep cleaning and maintenance cleaning services.

Ashley Matuska

Professional Cleaner

Expert Answer

Yes, but dry them on low heat, and for as little time as possible. Using plastic dryer balls will help keep your microfiber towels soft and fluffy.
Question

Can I wash my microfiber cloths with the rest of my laundry?

Ashley Matuska
Professional Cleaner
Ashley Matuska is a Professional Cleaner at the Founder and Owner of Dashing Maids in Denver, Colorado. Ashley has over seven years of experience in the cleaning industry. She and her team specialize in offering sustainable deep cleaning and maintenance cleaning services.

Ashley Matuska

Professional Cleaner

Expert Answer

It's best to wash them in a separate load. Microfiber will pick up loose threads and lint from other fabrics if you wash them together.