In fact, the single worst thing you can do for your microfiber clothes is to use too much detergent or a soap that's too harsh. Harsh soap or detergent (and simply too much of it) can cover the cloth's nylon fibers, resulting in a less effective cleaning tool in the long run.
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.
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.
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.
According to Microfiber Wholesale, an average microfiber cloth can last up to 5 years if washed 25 times per year. Ultimately, the longevity of your microfiber cloths depends on several factors like how often you use them, what you use them for, and how well you take care of them.
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.
When cared for properly, your microfiber cloths can be washed and re-used up to 500 times or more. This makes microfiber one of the most economical cleaning materials existing today. And they save you from wasting thousands of paper towels in their lifespan.
All those extra ingredients, lubricants, and fragrances from fabric softener and dryer sheets actually coat the teeny tiny microfibers. And this isn't a good thing. If you've ever used fabric softener or dryer sheets on microfiber, you may have noticed that your microfiber becomes waxy-feeling.
✅ 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.
Your best bet for clean, functional microfiber is Pinnacle Micro Rejuvenator. This is a clean-rinsing liquid detergent formulated specifically for microfiber. It contains no bleach, fabric softener, or perfumes.
Re: Tide and microfiber towels.
Tide is fine. I like to add Oxy Clean and/or Vinegar.
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.
There is irrefutable proof that microfibers are not only polluting the ocean but also making their way to humans. Inhaled plastic microfibers may persist in the lung and as a result, could cause inflammation.
Use a Non-Sudsing Dish Liquid– You can use Dawn, Norwex's Dishwashing Liquid, or any other non-sudsing dish liquid to clean your microfiber. I recommend doing this once every other day or so. All you have to do is put a drop of liquid on a wet cloth, rub the cloth together, then rinse with warm water.
CLEANING TOWELS
Wash microfiber only with other microfiber. Use a dedicated microfiber detergent like Towel & Pad Revitalizer or a dye free/perfume free liquid laundry soap - no powders or granulated. Set washer to a warm water setting. Some heat is required to break down waxes and polishes.
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.
The best way to wash microfiber cloths is in cold or warm water with mild detergent. If you need to remove a stain or disinfect your cloths, warm water will do the trick. It is recommended to only wash with other microfiber items, otherwise your cloths will attract lint from other fabrics like cotton.
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.
While the magnet-like properties of a microfiber cloth are great for cleaning, they can attract extra lint and debris during washing and drying that can be pretty annoying!
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.
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.
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.