Microfiber cloths are available in two forms — reusable or disposable — and each has its own set of pros and cons. Most common are reusable cloths, which must be laundered after every use. When handled correctly, these cloths can last 100 to 1,000 washings.
When cared for properly, your microfiber cloths can be washed and re-used up to 500 times or more. This makes microfiber one of the most economical cleaning materials existing today. And they save you from wasting thousands of paper towels in their lifespan.
Jennifer Druckamiller, director of product experience at microfiber company Norwex, suggests reusing your microfiber cloths a few times in between laundering. Simply rinse them under warm water after you're done using them and hang them up to dry.
Yes, microfibers are machine washable. Completely. But the truth of the matter, is that with all of the polishes, waxes, oils and chemicals that we apply and remove with our microfiber towels, a regular old household detergent doesn't cut it when it comes to cleaning or restoring them!
Dirt and other particles stick to microfiber cloths. If you use a dirty microfiber item without washing it first, it can scratch and damage surfaces. Microfiber cloths may also smell bad after just one cleaning because they are holding on to moisture in their tiny fibers that also trap bacteria.
(As a general rule, washing on warm and drying on low to medium will kill the germs in your cleaning cloths, but if you need to sanitize, it will need to be warmer.) I wash the microfiber cloths in this bucket weekly and then run a sanitize/clean cycle on the washing machine.
The best way to wash microfiber cloths is in cold or warm water with mild detergent. If you need to remove a stain or disinfect your cloths, warm water will do the trick. It is recommended to only wash with other microfiber items, otherwise your cloths will attract lint from other fabrics like cotton.
Brush the fabric to soften it in areas where it has dried stiff. Brush the entire couch in multiple directions to make the nap stand up. Because microfiber often resembles the look of suede or brushed leather, dry-brushing it returns the like-new look to your couch again.
I'd try washing them again in just water. But make sure it's on the hot/warm setting, and let them soak in water for at least 15-20 minutes.
When done, you can put the microfiber towels in the dryer or let them air dry (putting them in the dryer will remove most of the dust in the fabric and will make them softer). When the dryer is done, the towels are ready. They should be fine again.
According to Microfiber Wholesale, an average microfiber cloth can last up to 5 years if washed 25 times per year. Ultimately, the longevity of your microfiber cloths depends on several factors like how often you use them, what you use them for, and how well you take care of them.
While cotton is a natural fiber, microfiber is made from synthetic materials, typically a polyester-nylon blend. Microfiber is very fine — as much as 1/100th the diameter of a human hair — and about one-third the diameter of a cotton fiber.
How Long Do Microfiber Cloths Last? Most microfiber cloths are very durable, and with proper care, they can last for several years and anywhere from 500 to 1,000 washings. This span ultimately depends on how the towels are used, how often and how they're cared for.
Re: When do you finally throw out a microfiber towel
Never unless they get shredded.
Dear Heloise: When washing microfiber cloths, do not use fabric softener in the rinse cycle or dryer sheets in the dryer. This ruins the cloths' effectiveness, and they will not dry things the way they should.
Wash before you use them
Wash your towels before you use them for the first time. New towels will have a silicone finish that makes them less absorbent. You'll also want to set the colour so that it doesn't run or fade.
Prep a separate bucket with VERY HOT clean water and add blue dawn dish soap along with gentle tide. Add towels. Soak towels for roughly 2 hours. If a towel ever becomes so contaminated that it doesn't wash clean, it may be time to retire it to a new job.
Both destroy microfiber cloths' cleaning powers. 2. Don't use vinegar, either. Although vinegar is a wonderful laundry aid, its acidity will erode the bristles.
An independent study done by the Environmental Protection Agency found that “extremely fine (. 37 micrometer diameter) microfiber was both laboratory and clinically tested and proven to remove up to 98 percent of bacteria and 93 percent of viruses from a surface using only water (no chemicals).”
The science behind why damp dusting is more efficient than a dry cloth comes from the fact that a damp cloth introduces capillary force to the dust particles. In short, the damp cloth draws the particles in and lifts dust from the area instead of moving them around.
Why should you not put microfiber cloths in the dryer? Drying your microfiber cloths on high heat will cause the fibers on the cloth to melt, making them ineffective the next time you try to trap and lock dirt and dust when you're cleaning.
Wash in warm or hot water with mild detergent. No fabric softeners – they clog the open spaces in the microfiber, making the fabric useless. Be careful what you wash with your microfiber. Avoid anything made with cotton because the microfiber will grab on to the lint.