One of the benefits of cleaning with microfiber is that it lasts a long time. Many microfiber cloths can take up to 500 washings. That's up to two years in a typical household. Unfortunately, they don't last forever; at some point, microfiber cloth cleaning won't have the same revitalizing effect it once did.
These cloths should last a while if you follow the recommended care instructions. “If you take care of your microfiber towels and clean them properly, they should last you a few years before needing to be replaced,” says Willatt. Sometimes your reusable cloths will give you a clue that it's time to buy new ones.
As microfiber lasts longer than cotton, these towels provide better value for money, withstanding up to around 500 washes.
Microfiber Care
You can definitely reuse all of your towels. The only towels we don't recommend reusing are towels that you level a ceramic coating with. The ceramic coating will usually dry and crystallize on the towel and you don't want to use that again. Just toss those when done.
A cotton bar towel can be washed 20-30 times before it loses its effectiveness, a microfiber towel can be washed 200-300 times before it loses its effectiveness.
Microfibers are much thinner in diameter than human hair. Those used in cleaning textiles are split in a way that creates spaces within each fiber. Regular microfiber, such as Split microfiber vs cotton that used on furniture or in clothing, is soft but not useful for cleaning because it is not absorbent.
How Long Do Microfiber Cloths Last? One of the benefits of cleaning with microfiber is that it lasts a long time. Many microfiber cloths can take up to 500 washings. That's up to two years in a typical household.
Another bonus: They're eco-friendly, because you don't have to throw them away after a single use! The average microfiber cloth can withstand several hundred washings, which means it should last you a few years. But you do actually have to be careful of one thing when you wash them: the soap.
Harsip said that the main reason why microfiber towels are ruined is drying them at high heat. Remember that it's not just bad for microfiber towels to be dried at too high of heat, but it can ruin them completely. Once the damage has been done from heat, it cannot be reversed.
Machine wash a load of microfiber cloths in cold or warm water. Do not use hot water. If using detergent, choose a gentle detergent with no scent or laundry additives. Use a small amount of detergent, no more than one or two teaspoons.
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.
Wash your microfiber towel after every 3 times you use it. It's also important to keep the towel dry when it's not in use. Check if it's getting damp while hanging in your bathroom. If it is, you may need to wash it after every time you use it.
Microfiber towels and cloths can become stiff after many uses due to soap and hard water residue. To make them soft again, add 1 cup of vinegar to your washing machine, and then run a short cycle. Then, run another short cycle using 1 cup of baking soda.
Microfiber Care Do's & Don'ts
✅ Wash in cold to warm water (160ºF max). ✅ Use simple detergents with no softeners or optical brighteners. ✅ Dry with no heat, low heat, or permanent press (140ºF max). ✅ Use plastic dryer balls to knock out hairs and lint.
Dual Duty microfiber has a soft and fluffy side for drying and general cleaning and a ribbed side like corduroy for scrubbing. Use the ribbed side first to scrub away stuck on grime, then flip the cloth to wipe away the loosened mess.
Machine Wash in Cool or Warm Water Using a Gentle Cycle
Wash lightly soiled cloths in cool water. If your microfiber towels are heavily soiled, use warm water. For washing machine settings, choose a gentle or delicate cycle.
Simply rinse them under warm water after you're done using them and hang them up to dry. “When it's time to launder, wash microfiber cloths separately or with other lint-free items (microfiber is designed to grab and hold onto lint),” she says.
Try cleaning with microfiber and water! Using just microfiber cloths or mop pads with water to clean can give your counters, glass, floors, and appliances a like-new appearance. It traps more dirt than you might think, all without chemical cleaning agents.
Another way to tell is to push a water spill with it. A microfiber cloth that has been split will absorb the water, not push it. You should be mindful, that a thick, fluffy microfiber towel with a little bit of nap on it may feel softer and appear to be a better product, but it is not.
“Another way to tell fibers have been damaged is to run your hand over the cloth,” says Sweeney. “If it feels like it's pulling your skin (like you have dry skin), then it's good.
Re: Microfiber Towels Not Absorbing - HELP!
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. Those supreme shines are pre-washed at the factory.
Always wash new microfiber towels prior to first use to remove any loose factory production fibers. Always wash newer black, orange, and red colored towels separately from lighter colored towels to avoid any risk of bleeding.
The cotton does not absorb dirt as effectively as microfibers so you'll often need chemicals or detergents to deal with dirt and grime. Otherwise, you can end up just spreading the dirt around the surface and leave behind unwanted streaks and stains.
Cotton sheets are more breathable than microfiber and won't trap heat as easily, providing a more comfortable sleep.