How to Wash Microfiber Cloths

Separate Microfiber Items

Sort your microfiber cleaning cloths into a separate load. The dirt on the cloths could transfer to other laundry items. The cloths will also attract the hair, dirt, dust, and lint from other items in the laundry. If you wash microfiber items with a regular load of laundry, all of the laundry may come out even more dirty than before.

Some people even like to separate their most heavily soiled microfiber cloths from those that are just lightly soiled.

Shake the Cloths

Shake out microfiber items over a trash bag as you sort them. This releases embedded or clinging dirt and particles from fibers.

Treat Stains

If you want to remove stains on your cleaning cloths, now is the time to pre-treat them. You can use whatever stain remover you rely on for laundry, or just add a little extra laundry detergent to the cloths and rinse them out before the wash cycle. If you don't care if they remain stained, skip this step.

Choose the Water Temperature

Wash heavily soiled cleaning cloths in warm water in the washing machine or basin. Lightly soiled cloths can be washed in cold water, or even on your machine's gentle cycle.

Add Detergent

Add a small amount (1 to 2 teaspoons or half the amount you'd typically use for a comparable load) of detergent to the washing machine or bin and wash. That's because excess soap that may not rinse out will cake up on the fibers and the cloth won't be able to clean. The fibers easily release dirt and do not need too much detergent, anyhow.

Rinse Well

Be sure to rinse out all of the suds. If you are hand-washing your microfiber cloths, rinse them thoroughly under a stream of clean water. Squeeze out excess water before drying.

Dry the Cloths

Dry your microfiber cloths separately from other laundry to prevent hair and lint attraction. Microfiber dries fast, so it will be a short cycle. You can quickly air-dry the cloths on a rack, as well.