Microfiber cloths are an excellent choice for cleaning wood furniture. They are soft, lint-free, and do not scratch the surface of the wood. Microfiber cloths are also very absorbent, so they can easily remove dust and dirt from your furniture without leaving any residue behind.
The key to avoiding wood damage is to wipe the wood with the damp microfiber and then dry the surface with a separate dry towel, eliminating the risk of water spots.
Microfibers have the ability to hold on to dirt, dust, and water more than other types of towels including cotton. Microfiber cloths at times known to cause scratches on the surface, however, this all depends on how you use it and how much of a pressure you are applying.
Both cotton and microfiber are gentle and light, even for your most fragile wood surfaces. For those with wax / oil finishes protecting their floors, Cotton is the only option.
Dusting: Microfiber cloths and mops trap much more dust than cotton rags, which makes the job faster and easier. Wash and dry microfiber separately from all other laundry. Because microfiber has a charge, it will attract dirt, hair and lint from other laundry. This will reduce the effectiveness of the microfiber.
Avoid using hot water, as it can damage the microfiber material. Add a small amount of mild detergent to the water. Make sure it's a detergent that does not contain bleach or fabric softeners, as these can harm the microfiber.
Microfiber cloths:
are non-abrasive: Looped microfiber is ideal for gently "buffing" dirt off from delicate surfaces such as glass or screens. are lint-free (in most cases). give a streak-free clean. The average "normal" cleaning rag pushes dust and dirt around, causing smearing.
As a cleaning material, cotton is lauded for being gentle on surfaces. In addition, cotton cloths require minimal financial outlay and so are seen as a cost effective material. CleanLink also points out that natural cotton is familiar and therefore widely trusted by cleaners.
Microfibers can harm the small aquatic organisms that ingest them. Microfibers can also contain toxic chemicals that are intentionally added to textiles during the manufacturing process or that accumulate on plastic particles in the ocean.
They will grab onto your fingers as you pick up the towel, due to the lower GSM (Grams per Square Meter) fiber count and lower percentage of polyamide compared to polyester (80/20). Some of these towels have a GSM so low that they leave light marring and faint scratches in soft clear coats.
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.
Of these, microfiber is a great choice because it's comfortable and stylish, yet sturdy. If your cat does claw at it, microfiber can stand up to a few scratches.
Just to clear one thing up, high-quality microfiber towels will never scratch clear coat. That's because those towels are super soft, far softer than the paint finish, but, even if you use the world's gentlest types of microfiber incorrectly, you may scratch the paint.
Yes you can hand wash them and then buy a can of original Endust in the red can. Spray it on the washed Swiffer dusters when ready to reuse. The red can Endust is made to spray on a cloth or dust mop to make it "static" and collect dust better. Only respray after next washing not at every use.
Terry cloth is highly absorbent, affordable and luxuriantly soft. Microfiber is hypoallergenic and can be an excellent material for use on sensitive surfaces such as glass. Both materials also come in many varieties, so a company can target the qualities it most wants in a towel.
The number one rule for microfiber is to only wash with cold water. Hot water can damage, shrink, and melt the synthetic polymer fibers causing the towels to lose their softness and absorbency. Warm or hot water can also loosen excess dye leading to discoloration issues over time.
Inhalation of microfiber could also lead to respiratory problems, inflammation, asthma, bronchitis and autoimmune diseases. These and other health issues are unfortunately nothing new for millions of textile workers, especially those working with nylon and polyester.
For dusting, leave the cloth dry. For other chores, dampen the cloth, then wipe surfaces clean. When the cloth starts to leave behind dirt or lint, or if you've used it a few minutes, re-fold to a fresh section.
Consequently, the microfibers released from these textile materials contain heavy metals, which have carcinogenic, toxic, and nonbiodegradable effects that, in turn, cause enormous environmental problems [59,60,61].
If your microfiber towels are properly washed, dried, and stored, you should be able to reuse them hundreds of times or for a few years. To keep your towels in top condition, wash them after every use. You will know to retire your microfiber towels when they fail to absorb water or if they become rough to the touch.
After the lint trap has been emptied, you can place your microfiber towels inside the dryer separately from garments made with natural fibers as they tend to shed. Avoid adding dryer sheets and using high heat settings to dry microfiber towels as this may damage the fibers.