How to Clean a Microfiber Cloth

Microfiber cloths are made from synthetic materials. The key to their cleaning and polishing ability lies in the cloths' very fine fibers. These cloths can trap small particles of dirt and can also be used to polish delicate surfaces (such as glass) without leaving scratches.

Microfiber cloths are created in different weaves suitable for cleaning, dusting or polishing. No matter the weave, however, the method of cleaning microfiber is the same--and this method differs a bit from how you should clean cotton cloths.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Liquid detergent

1. Place microfiber cloths in a washing machine or sink basin. Fill it with warm water and a mild liquid detergent.

2. Wash the cloths on a gentle cycle, if you are using a washing machine. If you are washing the cloths by hand, let them soak for 15 minutes and then stir them with your hand to loosen the dirt.

3. Rinse the microfiber cloths in a rinse cycle or by hand.

4. Let the cloths go through another rinse cycle (or rinse them again by hand). Detergent residue can compromise the cloths' cleaning efficiency.

5. Dry the cloths on a clothesline or in a dryer (on low heat).

Tips & Warnings

• Microfiber normally does fine with normal detergent, as long as it is rinsed well. However, if your microfiber cloths start looking bad or aren't cleaning or polishing as well as they usually do, try a commercial microfiber detergent. You can buy these at some auto-detailing shops. Liquid detergent is better because it is easier to rinse it from the cloths.
• Do not wash microfiber cloths with other fabrics. Lint from these items can, essentially, get trapped between the cloths' fibers. This is also why you should not use fabric softener on microfiber: residue easily gets trapped in the cloth. Microfiber materials can melt at high heat. Avoid drying them in very hot dryers, and do not iron them.