How to Wash and Clean Microfiber Cloths

Laundry tips to keep microfiber cloths soft and clean

Multi-colored microfiber clothes on white surface and in white wired container

The Spruce / Ulyana Verbytska

Project Overview
  • Working Time: 30 mins - 1 hr
  • Total Time: 30 mins - 1 hr
  • Skill Level: Beginner
  • Estimated Cost: $0 to $5

Knowing how to clean microfiber cloths will help keep your home spotless. For best results, you need to wash your microfiber cloths—either in the machine or by hand—separately from other laundered items in cold or warm water.

Drying microfiber materials and storing them carefully is also essential so they don't attract lint and dust before the next cleaning job. Additionally, make sure to wash your microfiber towels in vinegar to remove any lingering smell.

Read on to learn the right technique to wash microfiber cloths and towels by hand or machine and how to dry them successfully.

What You'll Need

Equipment / Tools

  • Washing machine, sink, or basin
  • Clothes dryer or drying rack

Materials

  • Laundry soap or detergent, unscented
  • Stain remover (optional)
  • White vinegar (optional)

Instructions

Materials needed for washing microfiber cloths

The Spruce / Ulyana Verbytska

How to Wash Microfiber Towels in the Washing Machine

  1. Separate Microfiber Items

    Sort your microfiber cleaning cloths separately. Because they attract hair, dirt, dust, and lint, you don't want them mingling with other items or to transfer dirt and dust to the rest of your laundry.

    Microfiber cloths sorted out of laundry into white wired container

    The Spruce / Ulyana Verbytska

  2. Choose Your Settings

    Wash heavily-soiled cleaning cloths in warm water in the washing machine. Lightly soiled cloths can be washed in cold water. Wash microfiber cloths on a delicate setting.

    Selecting warm water for the wash cycle

    The Spruce / Kori Livingston

    Tip

    Avoid hot water which may damage or break down the fibers over time.

  3. Add Detergent and Run Full Cycle

    Use half the typical amount of a fragrance-free, additive-free detergent to keep your microfiber cloth functioning effectively. This will prevent soap buildup that can reduce the cloth's cleaning ability. Run a full cycle.

    Person adding detergent to a wash tub

    The Spruce / Ulyana Verbytska

    Tip

    If the microfiber cloths smell, add a tablespoon of white vinegar to your wash water. Do not use fragrance boosters or bleach to eliminate odors, as the fibers can be coated or damaged.

Tip

You can use a spot cleaner to treat stains on microfiber clothes, or you can pretreat stains by applying a dab of detergent and scrubbing by hand before machine washing. But this isn't necessary—stains do not affect a microfiber cloth's cleaning ability.

How to Wash Microfiber Cloths by Hand

  1. Fill Sink with Warm Water and Detergent

    Fill your sink with warm water and one to two teaspoons of a fragrance-free, additive-free laundry detergent.

  2. Soak Your Cloths

    Add your microfiber cloths only and soak for a few minutes to absorb the water and detergent.

  3. Agitate the Water

    Use your hands to agitate the water and release the dirt from the towels. Rub the fibers together to tackle any tough stains.

  4. Rinse Towels and Dry

    Rinse your towels thoroughly under a stream of clean water. Squeeze out any remaining water before air drying.

    How to Dry Microfiber Cloths

    Microfiber cloths will air dry quickly, and avoiding the dryer will help them last longer. Air dry them on a flat surface, hang them on a drying rack, or line dry.

    Multi-colored microfiber cloths hanging on drying rack to air dry

    The Spruce / Ulyana Verbytska

    Tips to Clean Microfiber Cloths

    • Do: Wash microfiber clothes after every use or at least after every third use. If they are wet or excessively soiled, washing them after each use is advisable. If they're being used only for light and routine cleaning, wash them at least after every third use.
    • Do: Read the care tag to see if the cloth needs to be hand-washed. This is not common for cleaning cloths, but some microfiber towels and other items may advise hand-washing.
    • Do: After cleaning, fold, stack, and store microfiber cloths separately in a drawer or sealed container that protects them from the environment.
    • Do: Trim off loose threads if necessary, though know that you'll need to replace it once it becomes threadbare.
    • Don't: Add detergent or soap. Soap actually reduces the effectiveness of microfiber cloths by clogging the spaces between fibers.
    • Don't: Use anti-cling dryer sheets. Microfiber clothes actually use their own static electricity to attract dust, and dryer sheets will counteract that clinginess.
    • Don't: Use bleach or fabric softener. Bleach can ruin the fibers, and fabric softener clogs the spaces between fibers, rendering the cloth useless for cleaning.
    • Don't: Continue to use a dirty microfiber cloth. Dirt and other particles stick to microfiber cloths, which can scratch and damage surfaces.
    • Don't: Store microfiber cloths in a high-heat environment. Too much direct sunlight can potentially melt and deform the synthetic fibers.
    FAQ
    • Can microfiber cloth be washed?

      Microfiber cloth can be washed if it has become stained or dirty, though it has to be washed with other microfiber only. Other fabrics can ruin the integrity of the microfiber cloth.

    • How can I make my microfiber towels soft again?

      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.

    • How do I remove lint from a microfiber cloth?

      Newly cleaned microfiber cloths sometimes attract lint. This can be removed by vacuuming, or by using a sticky lint roller or masking tape.

    • How do you clean microfiber lens cloths?

      Wash microfiber lens cloths by hand with cold water and a mild soap.

    • What cleaner can you use with microfiber?

      Microfiber cloths will clean effectively with just water, though you can use any cleaner that does not have bleach.