This incredible textile revolutionized the cleaning industry with its streak-eliminating abilities and capacity to hold 7x its weight in water. However, many people and BSCs don’t know how to properly care for microfiber cloths. The split nature of the fibers and electrostatic charge makes them extremely effective at picking up and trapping dirt, bacteria, and viruses from most surfaces. This means that special care must be taken to assure that these cloths are laundered effectively, and all the debris trapped inside the fibers is released.
You can use products that are made specifically for laundering microfiber (e.g. Micro-Restore, Chemical Guys Microfiber Wash Detergent, Microfiber Refresh) or simply a scent, dye, & softener-free laundry detergent(e.g. All Free n’ Clear, Tide Free & Gentle). For towels that are especially soiled, a presoak with a light vinegar and cool water solution for an hour and wring well prior to washing.
Microfiber melts at around 130 degrees Fahrenheit.
One factor that is most important when cleaning your microfiber towels is to note that microfiber melts at around 130 degrees Fahrenheit. Most hot-water heaters are set to
140 degrees and most dryers reach about 135 degrees. This means microfiber that loses its capacity to capture dirt and bacteria from surfaces and the burnt microfibers can clump together creating a cloth that is semi-abrasive and could potentially damage finished surfaces. Therefore, microfiber is to be washed in cool water only and never heat-dried.
Additionally, remember to avoid dryer sheets or introducing any unnecessary agents to the fibers. A good tumble on air-dry mode is good to restore electrostatic charge to the cloths which helps them attract and trap more dust and debris.
With proper care, your microfiber cloths can survive several uses and remain viable. This means savings in long-term and effective surface cleaning now.