Place the microfiber cloths in the soapy water and allow them to soak for about 5-10 minutes. This will help loosen dirt and grime from the fibers. After soaking, gently agitate the cloths by swishing them around in the soapy water.
Microfibre is not designed to be used dry. It needs water to work. (The two cloth method in my link above is reliant on the surface still being wet from the first cloth.)
Can I use vinegar to wash microfiber cloths? Add 1 cup of vinegar to your washing machine to make microfiber cloths (and towels) soft and odor-free. They become stiff from soap and hard water residue after time. Run a short cycle with the vinegar and then another short cycle using 1 cup of baking soda.
Never use dish soap to wash microfiber towels. Even your everyday laundry detergent can be too harsh for these delicate towels, containing fragrances and other chemicals that could damage the fibers.
So if you want to “recharge” your microfiber, throw them in the dryer WITHOUT dryer balls or dryer sheets and on low/medium heat. Microfiber is made from ultra-fine polyester and polyamide and the fibers can actually fuse together in high heat so we advise not to dry them an anything more than a low or medium setting.
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.
Those tiny little edges will degrade over time; the degradation is accelerated by heat! Typical residential clothes dryers reach 170°F inside the drum. If you can avoid it, don't dry microfiber on high heat. We recommend low heat or no heat if possible.
✅ Wash in cold to warm water (160ºF max)
Preserves the fibers' integrity. Hot water damages the fibres and reduces their efficiency. Fabric softeners block the pores, preventing proper absorption of dirt, while optical brighteners fade the cloth.
Washing too often could damage the fibers, but not washing enough leaves dirt and germs stuck in the towel. It's your choice how often you wash or dry the towel, but there are some tips you should follow if you want to keep it as clean and fresh as possible. Wash your microfiber towel after every 3 times you use it.
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.
I have used the granular oxi clean before in the wash with my towels and they came out fine. I pre-soak all my microfiber towels in the granular oxi clean. I use the Gary Dean method for rinseless washing with ONR or Duragloss w/aquawax.
Because of microfiber's cleaning power and grip, as mentioned earlier, when you launder it with other fabrics, it picks up any lint and fibers that come off other fabrics during the wash and dryer cycle. So, to prevent lint from forming on your microfiber, always wash them separately from other fabrics.
Air-drying is the best option for microfiber, but if you choose to use a dryer, set it to a low heat or air-dry setting. DON'T use fabric softeners and harsh detergents. Fabric softeners can clog the fine microfiber fibers, reducing their ability to pick up dirt and moisture.
Use a small amount of detergent, no more than one or two teaspoons. If the microfiber towels have an odor that needs to be eliminated, add a tablespoon of white vinegar to the machine load. Allow the machine to complete half of the agitation cycle, then stop the cycle and allow the load to soak for 15 to 20 minutes.
Avoid adding dryer sheets and using high heat settings to dry microfiber towels as this may damage the fibers.
Microfiber Care
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. Everything else can be reused. Eventually the nice towels will become ratty and they can be relegated to dirty jobs.
If you're wondering, "How long does microfiber last?", it's helpful to know that with proper care, microfiber can last for years—even after hundreds of washes.
#2 – Tide Free & Gentle Liquid Detergent:
It's free from harsh chemicals and dyes, reducing the risk of skin irritation and fabric damage. This detergent removes stains and odours from microfiber towels without compromising their integrity.
Use the mildest product for your needs. Liquid dishwashing detergent and laundry soap are mildest, laundry detergent is moderate and automatic dishwashing detergent is harshest.
Find your microfiber cloth. These soft, dry cloths are the same type of cloth you would use to clean your smartphone or tablet. They're perfect for flat screens because they won't leave any lint behind. Gently wipe the screen with the microfiber cloth from top to bottom using a circular motion.