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.
You can use them dry or wet. Dry ones are really great to polish/clean stuff (eg drying your glasses after washing them, dusting TVs, drying of faucets...). For wet use I usually get the cloth wet with warm water, spray some cleaner on the area and just give it a good wipe.
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.
Microfiber towels can last a long time if properly cared for, but their lifespan depends on usage and washing frequency. Here are some guidelines: Frequency of Use: If you use them daily or frequently, consider replacing them every 6 to 12 months. For less frequent use, they can last up to 2 years or more.
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.
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.
What's so great about microfiber? Microfiber cleaning cloths and mops work well for removing organic matter (dirt, oils, grease) as well as germs from surfaces. Microfiber's cleaning ability is the result of two simple things: more surface area and a positive charge.
Never use liquid fabric softeners or dryer sheets when washing/drying microfiber. The waxes and chemicals coat the fibers causing the towels to repel water rather than absorb. This significantly reduces their cleaning capabilities. Only use products specifically made for microfiber.
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.
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.
Choose lint-free
Microfiber or other lint-free towels won't leave behind little specks on glass surfaces. Newspaper or old, clean cotton diapers are other great options.
How Often to Wash Microfiber Cloths. Wash microfiber clothes after every use or at least every third use. If they are wet or excessively soiled, wash them after each use. If they're used only for light and routine cleaning, wash them at least after every third use.
There's a right side and a wrong side of some microfiber cloths. “Most microfiber cloths are the same on each side, but if you have a dual-sided cloth, then use the ribbed side for scrubbing and the fluffy side for dusting,” says Taylor. Using it dry instead of damp (or vice versa).
Microplastic Pollution
While they may feel like cloth, microfiber linens are essentially made of plastic. The plastic used creates tiny fibers that are so small that they are barely visible, which produces a more impactful pollutant than we may know. Some enter our oceans once these fibers make it through our laundry.
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.
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.
Microfiber cloths are versatile tools for dusting surfaces, cleaning spills, or wiping with an all-purpose cleaner. They trap dust, are absorbent, and leave no streaks or lint behind.
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.
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].
To keep microfiber towels absorbent, air drying on a flat surface or line drying are the preferred methods. If you'd rather use the dryer, be sure to do the following: Dry microfiber towels separately from other items. Don't add dryer sheets or dryer balls.
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.