How to wash microfibre cloths: detergent and care

Why microfiber needs special care

Wash microfibre cloths according to the label, without softener or lint-producing laundry. Find fixes for smells, lint and streaks.

Microfiber cloths are made from extremely fine synthetic fibres, usually a blend of polyester and polyamide. The tiny gaps between those fibres pick up dust, grease and grime, which is why a slightly damp cloth is often enough to wipe smooth surfaces clean.

That structure is also delicate. When fabric softener, too much detergent or lint from other laundry gets trapped between the fibres, the cloth absorbs less and is more likely to leave streaks. Looking after your cloths properly is not fussiness; it is what keeps them doing their job.

Start with the care label

Not every microfiber cloth is made the same way. Some tolerate high temperatures, while others should only be washed at lower settings. The most reliable guide is the sewn-in care label or the information on the packaging. Stick to the maximum temperature it gives and to any advice about tumble drying.

If there is no label, choose a gentle programme at a moderate temperature. When you buy new cloths, it helps to keep the packaging for a while or note the instructions so you do not have to guess later.

• Respect the maximum wash temperature on the label.
• Check whether tumble drying or ironing is allowed.
• No label: gentle cycle, moderate temperature.

Keep cloths for different areas apart

A simple colour system makes everyday cleaning easier: one colour for the toilet and bathroom, another for the kitchen, a third for furniture and glass. That way nobody wipes the dining table with the cloth that was just used on the toilet. Which colours you pick does not matter, as long as everyone in the household knows the system.

Separation is useful in the wash too. You can wash toilet and bathroom cloths separately from kitchen cloths. Also avoid washing microfiber with towels or cotton items that shed a lot of lint, because the fibres trap the fluff and release it on your next wipe.

Washing: a little detergent, no softener

Rinse heavily soiled cloths under the tap before washing so loose dirt does not spread through the load. Do not leave wet cloths balled up in the laundry basket for days; hang them loosely until wash day instead.

Use a regular laundry detergent and measure it sparingly. Leave out fabric softener, as it coats the fibres, and skip dryer sheets for the same reason. Do not add other cleaning products to the washing machine; use only products made for laundry.

• Rinse out heavy dirt first.
• Use detergent sparingly.
• No fabric softener, no dryer sheets.
• Do not mix with linty laundry.

Drying and storage

Air drying on a line or clothes horse is the gentlest option, and microfiber dries quickly anyway. If you want to use a tumble dryer, check the label first and choose a low heat setting, because high heat can damage the fine fibres.

Store cloths only once they are completely dry, ideally folded and sorted by colour in a drawer or box. Ironing is usually unnecessary and not recommended for many cloths.

Lint, smells or streaks: what helps?

Even well-kept cloths wear out. Signs include a stiff or matted feel, visible holes, frayed edges, or a cloth that keeps streaking and smelling unpleasant despite correct washing. At that point a replacement makes more sense than another wash.

Worn cloths can still be used for rough jobs such as wiping bike wheels or garden furniture before you throw them away. If you would rather save the time, PUTZIO arranges apartment cleaning in the supported municipalities around Zurich and Rapperswil-Jona at CHF 40 per hour, and the cleaners bring their own cleaning products.