Microfiber for Cleaning & Steps for How to Wash Microfiber Towels or Cloths
When you think about cleaning items around the home or in the bathroom, you might think about towels and cloths. Whether you’re using towels to wipe yourself off after a shower or using cloths to wipe down kitchen counters after a family dinner, these items have quite a lot of value and versatility in the home. Perhaps no material is quite as versatile as microfiber.
We’re going to talk about all things microfiber and why it’s a pretty popular material of choice when it comes to towels and cloths. We’ll also offer insight into the different ways you can use these items as well as some tips for how to wash microfiber towels and cleaning cloths.
What is Microfiber?
Microfiber is a man-made material composed of small, synthetic fibers that contain a variety of polyester and occasionally nylon. It is mass-produced and desirable because of its stain- and water-resistant properties. Items made from microfiber are tremendously absorbent and latch onto dirt.
Plus, for cleaning items like towels and cloths, microfiber can be used on hard and soft surfaces. That element helps to make microfiber the multi-faceted material many people want in their homes.
What is Microfiber Used For?
Microfiber is used to make things like mats, upholstery, clothing items, and much more. You may have even owned a pair of microfiber bed sheets! In a practical sense, though, you are likely to associate microfiber with cleaning items such as cloths or towels.
You can use microfiber dust cloths to wipe down cabinets, desks, and more during spring cleaning, or clean off accidental spillage on the kitchen counter. Moreover, a microfiber car cloth might be the tool you need to wipe away loosened grime or dry off the windshield if you parked your vehicle outside during a thunderstorm.
Is Microfiber Lint-Free?
Many forms of microfiber towels and cloths are lint-free—meaning they do not leave behind any lint or fiber particles. This is largely dependent upon the strength of the materials making up the microfiber, or if the cloth or towel is damaged and the fibers are broken.
Note that while microfiber cloths and towels do not leave lint behind, their absorbent nature means they will attract it from other sources. So, you shouldn’t necessarily be surprised if you use microfiber cloths for dusting or wiping down pet bedding just to discover lint, hair, and other materials on the cloth.
What is the Best Detergent for Microfiber Towels & Cloths?
The best detergent for microfiber towels and cloths is one that is mild and does not contain laundry additives like perfumes or dyes. The additives can settle into the fibers of cloths and towels and make them less effective at cleaning and drying.
How to Machine Wash Microfiber Towels & Cloths
Those microfiber car and dusting cloths or towels are probably quite useful in your household. You need to wash them correctly so you can prolong their lifespan and avoid rendering them ineffective.
Follow these steps for how to wash microfiber towels and cloths and help get them extra clean so you can, in turn, clean the rest of your house!
1. Shake Towels & Cloths
Find your kitchen trash can and shake out microfiber towels and cloths to help loosen trapped dirt and dust from the fibers. This step makes it easier to get rid of excess debris in the wash.
2. Wash Separately
It’s important to wash your microfiber items separately to avoid accumulating any lint, hair, dust, and more from other items. Remember, microfiber is quite absorbent and will latch onto dirt. So, if you wash microfiber towels and cloths with other clothes, they are likely to attract more lint and other debris that may make them less useful over time.
3. Add Towels & Cloths to the Washer
Now that you’ve separated your microfiber towels and cloths from your other laundry and shaken them out, you’re ready to wash them. If you can, use a detergent without dyes to clean microfiber towels and cloths. ARM & HAMMER™ has several detergents that fit the bill:
- ARM & HAMMER™ Free & Clear Liquid Laundry Detergent is free of dyes, perfumes, parabens, preservatives, and other common skin allergens.
- ARM & HAMMER™ Sensitive Skin Plus Hypoallergenic Fresh Scent Liquid Laundry Detergent is dermatologist-tested, free of dyes, and has a hypoallergenic fresh scent.
- ARM & HAMMER™ Clean & Simple Liquid Laundry Detergent has just six essential ingredients and is free from dyes, phosphates, GMOs, brighteners, and parabens.
So, now you have options that can help maintain the effectiveness and integrity of your microfiber towels and cloths!
4. Run Wash Cycle
You want to use a cycle with cold water for lightly-soiled microfiber items and cycle with warm water for heavily-soiled items, but follow the instructions on the manufacturer’s garment care label. Always run microfiber towels and cloths through a gentle or delicate wash cycle.
5. Place Items in the Dryer
Make sure to empty the lint trap as you usually would before inserting clothes or other items into the dryer. Place your microfiber towels and cloths in the dryer and run a cycle on low heat. Avoid using fabric softener, as it may damage the fibers. You should also refrain from adding dryer balls or dryer sheets for the same reason.
How to Hand Wash Microfiber Towels & Cloths
You may be better off washing microfiber car and dust cloths or towels by hand. Other microfiber items may recommend hand washing. Luckily, the steps for hand washing are mostly the same. You want to wash separately and shake the towels or cloths off before proceeding to the following steps.
1. Wring Out Microfiber Towels
Just as you would if you machine-washed your microfiber towels, wring them out to help loosen excess dirt and dust from the fibers.
2. Drain Bucket or Tub & Rinse
You’ll want to soak your microfiber towels in a large bucket or tub. Before that, however, you want to drain your bucket or tub and rinse to help flush out any lingering dirt or foam from past washes.
3. Fill Bucket or Tub with Water
Depending on the manufacturer’s recommendations, fill a bucket or tub with cool or warm water so you can soak your microfiber cloths or towels.
4. Place Microfiber Towels Into Bucket or Tub
Add one or two teaspoons of detergent to the bucket or tub. Then, insert your microfiber towels or cloths. Massage microfiber towels and cloths by hand to help get rid of trapped dirt or dust particles. Let your items soak for 15 minutes.
5. Massage Towels
After soaking your microfiber towels and cloths, massage them to help ensure detergent is completely removed.
6. Hang Items Out to Air Dry
Remove your microfiber towels or cloths from the bucket or tub and wring out excess water. Hang your towels or cloths on a drying rack in an area with good natural light and ventilation.
How Often to Wash Microfiber Towels & Cloths
How often you wash microfiber towels and cloths depends on their usage as well as how soiled they get after each use or over time. You should consider washing heavily-soiled microfiber towels and cloths after each use. Otherwise, you might wash these items after three light uses.
Get Your Microfiber Towels & Cloths Clean with ARM & HAMMER™ Laundry Detergents!
Need a laundry detergent that can help extend the usefulness of your microfiber car cloths and cleaning towels? ARM & HAMMER™ laundry detergents come in a variety of formats and provide a thorough clean, helping to remove stains and odors.
The next time you use microfiber towels and cloths to clean all around your home, use ARM & HAMMER™ laundry detergents to wash those items so they’re ready for use once again.
