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.
With the proper use and care, the towels should hold up for 100-500 washes or up to three years. With all that in mind, it's really going to come down to how you're using and caring for your towels. If you're super rough on them, expect to be replacing your microfiber towels more often.
If the fibers start to feel stiff, the towel loses its absorbency, or it begins to leave streaks, it's time to replace it. Properly cared for, microfiber towels can last for hundreds of washes.
You will know to retire your microfiber towels when they fail to absorb water or if they become rough to the touch. Additionally, you will want to throw away any microfiber towels that you have used to apply or wipe up a ceramic coating.
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. High heat slightly shrinks the microfibers, lowering their cleaning ability.
The material is available in several colors and designs, ensuring the fabric is versatile and suited to a range of home interiors and aesthetics. A downside of microfiber is that it's prone to staining, with the likes of pet hair and lint sticking to the surface over time.
Microfiber lasts longer than cotton; it can be washed a thousand times before losing its effectiveness. Microfiber uses 95% less water and chemicals than cotton mops and cloths. Surfaces: Use microfiber for cleaning counters and stovetops. The tiny fibers pick up more dirt and food residue than most cloths.
The edges give microfiber its scrubbing power and the surface area gives microfiber its absorbency. 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.
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.
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.
Most E-Cloth products should be laundered about once per week, though this recommendation may vary depending on what and how often you clean with E-Cloth. Our Glass & Polishing Cloth, since it is most commonly used as a finishing cloth, may not need to be laundered as often as other items.
If you're concerned about the environment, then you don't want to toss worn out microfiber in trash receptacles that will end up in a landfill. However, there are numerous ways to recycle microfiber. The easiest way is to take your worn-out microfiber to a thrift store like Salvation Army or Goodwill.
Microfiber's finer weave makes it resistant to pilling and fraying, whereas polyester can wear out faster in high-use areas. Microfiber fabric for sofa options also outperforms polyester when it comes to stain resistance so it's a practical choice for busy homes.
Brand new microfiber towels contain residual loose fibers, lint, and chemicals left over from manufacturing. Wash them separately before using to remove this debris and maximize cleaning ability.
"You really have no worry about machine washing in hot water - the typical hot water temperature of a home or commercial machine is below the temperature that can harm the fibers of a well made micro fiber cloth. The two products to avoid are bleach and fabric softener. Bleach WILL damage the fibers.
Always wash microfiber in cold (or warm) water. Cold water works great and it's a great energy saver. Plus, over time high heat will ruin the fibers of your microfiber cloths.
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.
Cloth Weight
You don't have to know the exact specs to pick a good cloth, but for reference, 200-300 GSM is considered good for general cleaning. 600-700 GSM cloths are thicker, softer, and better for delicate surfaces. A high-quality automotive detailing cloth might be in the 600-700 GSM range.
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].
Cotton sheets are more breathable than microfiber and won't trap heat as easily, providing a more comfortable sleep. However, microfiber sheets can be more durable than cotton sheets, as natural fibers — particularly less expensive cotton options — can break down more easily with frequent washes.
Microfiber isn't just great at picking up dust; it's also perfect for absorbing spills. A microfiber cloth has the same surface area as a cotton cloth, but it acts four times as large, and it can absorb seven times its weight in liquid.