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The Spruce / Sabrina Jiang
With its positively charged fibers, microfiber cleaning cloths effectively attract, lift, and grab dirt and grime—all while being gentle on surfaces. "Microfiber towels are the darling of the professional cleaning world for good reason, because they not only save money and the environment, but also they make your cleaning labor more effective with every stroke,” says Melissa Homer, Chief Cleaning Officer at MaidPro and member of The Spruce's Cleaning Review Board. “This makes them the truest win-win of the cleaning industry!" What’s more, they are woven to be strong, and because of their tiny manmade fibers, they leave no lint behind.
We spent hours researching the best microfiber cloths, evaluating their size, material, texture, and overall cleaning performance.
Here, the best microfiber cloths, so you can keep every inch of your home looking spotless.
Best Overall
AmazonBasics Microfiber Cloths
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Amazon
Highly absorbent
Large dimensions
Slightly abrasive for tough cleaning jobs
Durable construction
Comes in 3 different colors per pack
May scratch delicate surfaces
Not ideal for glassware or automotive use
These microfiber cloths from Amazon Basics are durable, highly absorbent, and safe to use on a variety of household surfaces. Made from a polyester and polyamide blend, their slightly abrasive textures makes them ideal for cleaning up spills and picking up dust and dirt from surfaces. According to the manufacturer, they can absorb eight times their own weight and can be washed and reused hundreds of times. With such high absorbency and durability, these cloths are an eco-friendly alternative to paper towels. Measuring 12 x 16 inches, they also offer a much larger surface area than other brands.
Although the manufacturer claims they’re non-abrasive, we don’t recommend using them on delicate, scratch-prone surfaces, such as glassware and car paint. These microfiber cloths come in packs of 24, 36, 48, and 144, giving you plenty of bang for your buck. Each pack includes microfiber in three assorted colors, so you can designate a specific color to different cleaning tasks, such as white for the fridge, blue for the countertop, and yellow for the sink area. Plus, Amazon Basics Microfiber Cleaning Cloths are machine washable for easy maintenance.
Price at time of publishing: $14
Amount: 24, 36, 48, and 144 | Cloth Dimensions: 12 x 16 inches | Material: Polyester and polyamide | Color: Blue, white, yellow or green, gray, pink | Care Instructions: Machine washable
Best Budget
AIDEA 50PK All-Purpose Softer Highly Absorbent, Lint Free Microfiber Cloths
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Amazon
Ultra-soft and absorbent
Can be used on multiple surfaces
50 cloths per pack
Comes in five assorted colors
Durable construction
Thin
Not ideal for automotive use
This bulk pack of microfiber towels from Aidea is affordably priced and versatile enough to use on a variety of surfaces. Made of polyester and polyamide fibers, Aidea Microfiber Cleaning Cloths won’t scratch stainless steel appliances, paint, or electronics. Because the material is super absorbent, they’re perfect for sopping up spills and cleaning around the kitchen sink. Plus, they won’t leave behind lint or streaks. The manufacturer claims they will last hundreds of washings and backs their product with a 100 percent customer satisfaction guarantee.
Each pack includes 50 microfiber cloths, so there’s no doubt you’ll get your money’s worth. The microfiber comes in a rainbow of colors, and each of the five colors can be designated to a different cleaning task to prevent cross-contamination. They can go in the washing machine for a quick cleanup, but like all microfiber cloths, they should not be exposed to heat. Some users explain that these cloths are too thin to be used on vehicles and are best suited for household use.
Price at time of publishing: $14
Amount: 50 | Cloth Dimensions: 12 x 12 inches | Material: Polyester and polyamide | Color: Blue, yellow, orange, light-blue, green or blue, yellow, orange, white, grey | Care Instructions: Machine washable
Best Set
E-Cloth Home Cleaning Set
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Amazon
Good for a variety of household surfaces
Specialized cloths for specific tasks
Can remove over 99 percent of bacteria
Effectively cleans without chemicals
Pricey
May pick up odors
This comprehensive set comes with specialized microfiber cleaning and polishing cloths, allowing you to tackle a variety of household tasks in one swoop. Each cloth is designed for a specific surface, and the pack comes in assorted colors so you can easily tell them apart. According to the manufacturer, the precision-engineered microfibers remove over 99 percent of bacteria, mold, and pollen. There’s no need for additional chemical cleaners. All you need to do is dampen the cloth with water—making them an environmentally-friendly choice.
This 8-piece set includes a kitchen cloth with scrubbing pad, a range and stovetop cloth, a stainless steel cloth, two glass polishing cloths, a bathroom cloth, a window cloth, and a dusting cloth. To ensure its durability, E-Cloth backs this product with a one-year or 100-wash promise. However, some users that purchased the set on Amazon say it’s not eligible for returns. We found a few complaints that the cloths pick up odors quickly, but a run through the washing machine should eliminate that problem.
Price at time of publishing: $35
Amount: 8 | Cloth Dimensions: Various sizes (specific dimensions not listed) | Material: Microfiber | Color: Assorted | Care Instructions: Machine washable
Best for Kitchen
Mr. Siga Microfiber Cleaning Cloths
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Amazon
Can be used on variety of surfaces
Assorted colors
Extremely durable
Resistant to odors
Thin
Not ideal for delicate surfaces
These jack-of-all-trades microfiber towels can be used on a variety of surfaces, making them an excellent choice for kitchens. They effectively remove grease from pots and pans and other household appliances, yet they’re gentle enough to also eliminate smudges from delicate glasses and silverware. Made of 85 percent polyester and 15 percent nylon, these towels are highly absorbent and won’t leave any lint or streaks behind. Their lightweight design allows them to dry quickly without picking up any funky odors, making them an ideal choice as a dishrag.
The set includes 12 towels in four assorted colors—pink, yellow, green, and blue. You can designate different colors for specific tasks, which makes for a more hygienic cleaning experience. For added convenience, these towels are machine washable, but they should not be exposed to heat. With high-quality stitching and reinforced edges, the manufacturer claims these towels can withstand hundreds of washes without unraveling or disintegrating. Some users say the cloths are thin and not as absorbent, which means they might also scratch extremely delicate surfaces, such as car paint.
Price at time of publishing: $13
Amount: 12 | Cloth Dimensions: 12.6 x 12.6 inches | Material: Polyester and nylon | Colors: Pink, yellow, green, and blue | Care Instructions: Machine or hand wash
Best for Windows
Unger 18 in. Large Microfiber Cloths
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Homedepot
Ideal for big cleanups
Ultra-soft and absorbent
Won’t scratch delicate surfaces
Durable construction
Might be too large for certain tasks
For windows, particularly those with a large surface area, these oversized cloths are a great choice. Measuring 18 by 18 inches, Unger’s Large Microfiber Cloths are well-suited for bigger cleaning jobs, such as windows, countertops, and floors. They’re designed for wet or dry use and can be used with or without a cleaning solution. Made of professional grade microfiber, these cloths are incredibly soft and absorbent. Plus, they effectively clean surfaces without scratching or streaking.
Sold in a pack of three, the cloths are machine washable for easy maintenance. The manufacturer claims they last up to 100 washes, and users further attest to their strength and durability. Due to their large size, these cloths are better suited for really heavy-duty cleaning rather than smaller jobs.
Price at time of publishing: $13
Amount: 3 | Cloth Dimensions: 18 x 18 inches | Material: Microfiber | Color: Blue | Care Instructions: Machine washable
Best for TVs, Electronics, and Eyeglasses
MagicFiber Microfiber Cleaning Cloths
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Amazon
True to its name, the MagicFiber Microfiber is adept at cleaning all types of electronics, including smartphones, tablets, computer monitors, and LCD television screens. Because of their compact size (6 x 7 inches), you can keep one in your purse or pocket at the ready. Each pack comes with a protective bag, so the microfiber stays clean while on the go. Made of smaller, densely woven fibers that are extra soft, the MagicFiber effectively removes dust, oil, smudges, and fingerprints in a matter of seconds. They work equally well on all types of glasses, too, and they're even small enough to fit in an eyeglass case.
These cloths are sold in packs of 2, 4, 6, 13, and 30. Because they’re so versatile, you might want to keep multiples on hand in your car, home, or office. MagicFiber cloths are conveniently machine-washable, but the cloths may bleed if you use them with any type of solvent or cleaner. For that reason, be sure to wash them separately or with similar colors.
Price at time of publishing: $9
Amount: 2, 4, 6, 13, and 30 | Cloth Dimensions: 6 x 7 inches | Material: Microfiber | Color: Black and gray | Care Instructions: Machine washable
Best for Cars
Chemical Guys Professional Grade Premium Microfiber Towel Set
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Amazon
Ultra-soft for delicate surfaces
Highly absorbent
Dual-sided design for versatile cleaning
Machine washable
Pricey
Specifically geared to car care
These ultra-soft microfiber cloths are specifically designed to clean a car’s delicate surfaces—and can be used both on the interior and exterior. Measuring 16 x 16 inches, expect these absorbent cloths to cover a large surface. They have a dual-sided design for versatile car cleaning. For example, the high-pile side wipes away dust and debris, while the low-pile side is ideal to remove waxes and sealants or clean windows. The cloths feature silk-banded edges, which prevent swirls and scratches on your car’s paint. “High-pile towels feel like teddy bear fur and are designed to absolutely baby your most delicate surfaces. They're the polishing and buffing towel of choice for car enthusiasts,” Homer adds.
To top it all off, these cloths can go right in the washing machine for an easy cleanup. They come in packs of 3, 12, 24, 36, and 60 to suit a variety of needs. Plus, these cloths, which come in just one color, are limited to automotive use and not abrasive enough for scoring or scrubbing around the house. Although they’re pricier than most, their professional quality and superb car cleaning power are seriously worth the investment.
Price at time of publishing: $14
Amount: 3, 12, 24, 36, and 60 | Cloth Dimensions: 16 x 16 inches | Material: Microfiber | Color: Gold | Care Instructions: Machine washable
The Amazon Basics Microfiber Cleaning Cloths earn our top spot because they’re durable, mildly abrasive for tough cleaning jobs, and safe to use on multiple household surfaces. These microfiber cloths come in packs of 24, 36, 48, and 144, providing plenty of value. If you're in the market for a bulk pack that costs a bit less, the Aidea Microfiber Cleaning Cloths are equally durable, versatile, and absorbent. Both brands of microfiber cloths come in assorted colors, allowing you to color code cleaning jobs and avoid cross-contamination.
What to Look for in a Microfiber Cloth
Quantity per Pack
Most microfiber cloths are sold in packs of three or more. To determine which product is the best value, consider the cost and divide that by the amount in a package. If you intend to do a lot of household cleaning, a bulk pack is definitely the way to go—such as our pick for "best set," the E-Cloth Home Cleaning Set. Not only are they a great value, but also many packs have cloths that come in assorted colors for different cleaning tasks.
Grade and Texture
To choose the proper microfiber cloth for cleaning, you need to know that they are classified by grade based on their densities. This is measured in grams per square meter or GSM. Cloths with a lower GSM, which is 250 or less, have a mildly abrasive texture and are better suited for heavy-duty cleaning jobs, such as scrubbing and scouring. While these work wonders for a major cleaning session, these cloths are also more likely to streak or scratch delicate surfaces. On the other hand, a medium density microfiber cloth, which is 250 to 350 GSM, is the most versatile cleaning option out there. Plus, it can be used to clean a variety of surfaces. For delicate household surfaces and car detailing, a cloth with a high GSM, 350 or more, is your best bet.
Weave is another important factor to consider when choosing a microfiber cloth. “Waffle weave towels, which look like a honeycomb pattern, are the best for scrubbing sticky, goopy messes, thanks to their deep pockets that create scrubbing friction and scoop up soils,” explains Melissa Homer, Chief Cleaning Officer at MaidPro and member of The Spruce's Cleaning Review Board. A loop weave is ideal for picking up wet and dry messes. Because the loops are so tiny, these cloths can be used on electronic screens, glassware, and other delicate surfaces.
Care Instructions
Remember this: the key to washing microfiber properly is to keep it simple, explains Homer. Most microfiber towels are machine washable, but they may shrink when exposed to heat. At extremely high temperatures, the fibers could melt or become permanently wrinkled. When your microfiber cloth is ready for a wash, just make sure you use cold or warm water (never hot). “Pick a simple detergent with no softeners, as the conditioners in fabric softener clog the absorbency of your towels,” advises Homer. To kill germs and combat odors, Homer also suggests adding a small amount of vinegar to the wash load. Avoid using fabric softener, dryer sheets, or bleach; they may affect the cloths’ static properties and absorbency
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What can microfiber cloths clean?
“Microfiber towels can be used to wipe up after any mess, so long as you select the right weave,” Homer says. Some are specifically designed to clean electronic screens, eyewear, and other delicate surfaces. Other microfiber cloths, particularly those with a waffle weave and mildly abrasive texture, are better suited for scouring, scrubbing, and tougher cleaning jobs.
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Should you wash microfiber cloths before use?
Washing microfiber cloths prior to their first use is recommended. This will eliminate any residual lint and dye from the manufacturing process.
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How long can microfiber cloths last?
It turns out microfiber can last a while before getting tossed out. In fact, most home users can get around 300 washes before staining and fading cause them to retire their cloths, explains Homer. But there’s a trick to extend the life of your microfiber cloths: Allow them to air or tumble dry in the dryer on a no-heat setting. As for super stained towels, Homer suggests saving those for “icky tasks like oven cleaning,” so you can get one final use out of them.
Why Trust The Spruce?
This article was written by Sage McHugh, a home and lifestyle writer who has been contributing to The Spruce since 2019. To select the best microfiber cloths on the market, she considered dozens of products, carefully evaluating their size, material, texture, and overall cleaning performance. McHugh also consulted hundreds of customer reviews, as well as write-ups from third-party websites, and chatted with Melissa Homer, Chief Cleaning Officer at MaidPro and member of The Spruce's Cleaning Review Board.