Dirt and other particles stick to microfiber cloths. If you use a dirty microfiber item without washing it first, it can scratch and damage surfaces. Microfiber cloths may also smell bad after just one use because they are holding on to moisture in their tiny fibers that also trap bacteria.
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.
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.
Your microfiber cloths will unfortunately not last forever, whether you use them every day or only once a month. The thin delicate fibers can become worn with use over time causing the cloth to become less effective.
If a towel continues to have a smell, it means that bacteria are still in your machine or on your towel.
The unfortunate issue with towels is the one thing they were designed for – absorbency. So, when we run towels through an average wash cycle, there is a greater chance for detergent or fabric softener residue to build up. Letting it go on long enough, and you have yourself a musty towel that isn't doing its job.
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.
She explained a good way of testing the towel. “The way to determine that the microfiber is melted is to hold the towel in two hands and put water on it. If [the water] sits on the cloth rather than soaking into it, then the damage is done."
Ideally, microfiber towels should be washed after every use to remove the dirt and grease picked up while cleaning so you don't transfer the grime to the next surface.
The ideal method: Hang microfiber cloths to dry outside in the sun or inside with good circulation. If you can, avoid throwing them into the dryer, which reduces microfiber's efficacy much faster. If you can't avoid machine drying, at least be sure you're doing it properly.
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.
The biggest concern regarding microfiber is microplastic pollution. This occurs because all microfiber products can shed the microscopic microfibers in the wash and can make their way to the ocean.
Hanging microfiber to dry in a damp bathroom will prevent it from fully drying, and can cause unwanted odor.
For starters, microfiber towels should be washed in cold or warm water, advises Sweeney, noting that the temperature should never exceed around 105 degrees Fahrenheit. When it comes to soap, Gartland states no detergent would be best, although it's impractical.
Some people have been washing them in hot water and/or adding bleach to the wash cycle. Many members replied that using hot water is not good for the cloth because it breaks down the fiber, and most agreed that adding bleach is never a good idea.
Microfiber cloths may also smell bad after just one use because they are holding on to moisture in their tiny fibers that also trap bacteria.
Prep a separate bucket with VERY HOT clean water and add blue dawn dish soap along with gentle tide. Add towels. Soak towels for roughly 2 hours. If a towel ever becomes so contaminated that it doesn't wash clean, it may be time to retire it to a new job.
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.
When damp towels pile up in the laundry basket or lay on the bathroom floor too long, mildew can grow. That musty odor you smell is caused by mildew that is attracted to the damp, dark fibers of your towels.
Wash the towel with vinegar
Just a cup of vinegar and hot water. Once the cycle is done, throw your towels in a dryer or let them dry in the sun. Just make sure it is a hot, dry day and that your towels dry out completely before putting them away.
If he washes his body and hangs his towel up to dry he should get at least a few days out of it. If he doesn't wash his body properly the dead skins cells and oils will rub off on the towel and make it stink. It's probably time to wash it.
Clean Your Washer
Especially front loaders. They're known for that mildew smell. And if your washer has a mildew smell, it's likely it's depositing that mildew on anything you wash in it (including your towels). You can also use cleaning packets specific for your washing machine.
If you notice that your towels begin to smell after a single-use, then it's probably due to a bacteria build-up. Your regular washing methods won't be enough to break it up.