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.
The idea of getting on your hands and knees to dust the border of every room might sound like a nightmare, but with microfiber cloths, it's quick and easy. The microscopic split fibers in the cloths grab dust and dirt particles with only one swipe.
Notice the dust and dirt particles actually collect within the microfiber cloth (top) where the cotton cloth (bottom) simply moves the particles as opposed to trapping and keeping them. Not only does microfiber help with dusting, it also reduces streaking on glass and chrome.
Drying your microfiber cloths on high heat will melt the fibers, making them ineffective the next time you try to trap and lock dirt and dust when you're cleaning. Since they also pick up lint, they'll become dirtier in the dryer by collecting lint left behind from a previous wash.
A microfiber cloth has positively and negatively charged fibers on its surface, so it actually attracts dust and dirt as you wipe. Microfiber cloths also remove up to 99% of surface bacteria and are safe to use because you only need water (vs chemicals) to clean with it.
For general dusting
They also all agree that the best tool for doing that is a microfiber cloth.
First of all, microfiber should not be laundered with other fibers since the other products will give off lint that will actually clog the tiny fibers and make them far less effective. Second, you should NOT use hot water with microfiber since it can actually melt or damage the product.
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.
Clean your cloths in the washer using warm water and a gentle liquid detergent. Afterwards, place the cloths in the dryer on low heat with no dryer sheet. Check back in a few minutes as it takes very little time for microfiber to dry.
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.
DO NOT over wet the Microfiber Cloth! Remember, the microfibers do the actual cleaning --using a lot of water or cleanser does not make it clean better; the water or cleanser is just an aid to help the cloth lift up tough dirt and stains. Lightly mist the area or lightly dampen the cloth with water or cleanser.
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.
Microfiber towels that are used for cleaning should be washed after every use. Microfiber cloths used for cleaning electronics and eyeglasses should be washed every three to five uses.
A: We do not recommend using dish soap on your microfiber towels. Even the free and clear products have fragrances and other chemicals in them that could harm or hinder the microfiber and what it's intended to do.
Another crucial benefit of microfiber is that it is relatively easier to clean than other plush fabrics. In fact, it's so stain-resistant that if you spill something on your microfiber furniture, it can be clean and dry within a few hours.
If you needed one more reason to fall in love, microfiber is hypoallergenic and repels dust mites and bed bugs. Unlike cotton sheets that trap allergens and bacteria, quality microfiber sheets have an extra fine weave that act as a barricade for those nasty amoebas and stop them from entering your sheets.
Microfiber cloths are made of polyester and nylon, as opposed to cotton, like most cleaning cloths are. The key advantage here is that the fibers are split to over 100 times smaller than a human hair, creating a larger volume of fibers touching a surface area and making microfiber significantly more absorbent.
It is often dirt, skin cells, or fabric fibers, but could be more or less anything that could dry and flake off. Books, carpet, rugs, upholstered furniture, fireplaces, and pets all contribute to the dust load. Dirt, pollen, smoke, exhaust, sand, and many other things may bring in dust from outside.
“The bedroom, for example, has a tendency to generate dust from the bedding fibers, dust mites, and skin cells. If a room has carpet and other upholstered furniture, dust levels increase even more.”
High efficiency particulate air filters, known as HEPA filters, are able to remove 99.97 percent of dust particles that are 3 microns in diameter, according to the Environmental Protection Agency. As of now, air purifiers that have a HEPA filter tend to be the best at filtering out dust from your space.
By using an air purifier, you can trap those dust particles before they have a chance to settle. Be sure to get one with a true HEPA filter; which according to the EPA, can remove at least 99.97% of dust, pollen, mold, bacteria and any airborne particles with a size of 0.3 microns.